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Needs Improvement

#2515 of 2,648 schools in NC

Blue Ridge Elementary

Elementary School · Yancey County Schools

910 Cane River School Rd, Burnsville, NC 28714

Enrollment

400

Student-Teacher

17.4:1

Score

3.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,515 of 2,648

In Burnsville

#6 of 6

public schools

In district

#7 of 7

Yancey County Schools

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Blue Ridge Elementary

3.4/10

Elementary School in Burnsville · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cane River Middle

5.6/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Mountain Heritage High

7.5/10

2.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Blue Ridge Elementary

Blue Ridge Elementary is a public elementary school in Burnsville, NC, part of Yancey County Schools. Blue Ridge Elementary serves approximately 400 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Blue Ridge Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,515 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Blue Ridge Elementary show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.4
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Blue Ridge Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-3.65 pts/yr
Data Period2020–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency51.8% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-14.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.2 pts
Overall Proficiency50% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)60% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-9.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,455
Chronic Absenteeism29.2%

Blue Ridge Elementary — Students at Blue Ridge Elementary score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 58.6% (multi-year average, 2020-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 56.6% (multi-year average, 2020-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 14 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2020*
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
63.7%
2025
Math
49.7%
ELA
52.2%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.4/10.

How Blue Ridge Elementary Compares

See how Blue Ridge Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.4/10
5th percentile in NC
Academic
5.4/10
Average
Growth
1.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.6/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

910 Cane River School Rd, Burnsville, NC 28714

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Blue Ridge Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Barnardsville Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Barnardsville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mars Hill Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Mars Hill), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rock Creek Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Erwin), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Burnsville, see our Burnsville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Cane River Middle Burnsville 0.3 mi 5.6
Mountain Heritage High Burnsville 2.2 mi 7.5
YANCEY COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Burnsville 2.4 mi 3.1
Burnsville Elementary Burnsville 6.3 mi 5.5
GENESIS ACADEMY, INC. Burnsville 6.3 mi
East Yancey Middle Burnsville 6.4 mi 5.3
Micaville Elementary Micaville 8.8 mi 3.8
WOLF CREEK ACADEMY Mars Hill 8.9 mi
Barnardsville Elementary Barnardsville 10.7 mi 7.6
Mars Hill Elementary Mars Hill 11.5 mi 7.2
South Toe Elementary Burnsville 11.5 mi 5.0
Temple Hill Elementary Erwin 13.5 mi 4.1
ARTHUR MORGAN SCHOOL Burnsville 12.3 mi
TIMBERSONG ACADEMY Weaverville 13.7 mi
Unicoi Co High School Erwin 15.4 mi 5.8
Love Chapel Elementary Erwin 15.5 mi 5.2
Unicoi Co Middle School Erwin 15.6 mi 7.1
Unicoi Community Learning Center Erwin 15.6 mi 3.1
Rock Creek Elementary Erwin 16.3 mi 6.3
Bowman Middle Bakersville 13.9 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28714 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,551

Median Home Value

$216,200

Median Rent

$803/mo

Population

16,621

College Educated

23.9%

Homeownership

77%

Avg Commute

27.2 min

Poverty Rate

14.3%

Median Age

46.8

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
B. Everett Jordan Elementary Graham, NC 3.4
Central Elementary Albemarle, NC 3.4
College Park Elementary Wilmington, NC 3.4
Forest Hills Global Elementary Wilmington, NC 3.4
Oakdale Elementary Charlotte, NC 3.4
Sherwood Elementary Gastonia, NC 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Blue Ridge Elementary

What grades does Blue Ridge Elementary serve?

Blue Ridge Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Blue Ridge Elementary?

Blue Ridge Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 400 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Blue Ridge Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Blue Ridge Elementary is 17.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Blue Ridge Elementary rank in NC?

Blue Ridge Elementary ranks #2,515 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Blue Ridge Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Blue Ridge Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Blue Ridge Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Blue Ridge Elementary has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025).

Is Blue Ridge Elementary a charter school?

No, Blue Ridge Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Blue Ridge Elementary a Title I school?

No, Blue Ridge Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Blue Ridge Elementary?

56.0% of students at Blue Ridge Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
3 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
400
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Yancey County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.2%

District

Yancey County Schools
District Enrollment
2,076
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,455
District Rank
#7 of 7

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