Needs Improvement
#2578 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
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
400
Student-Teacher
17.4:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Burnsville
#6 of 6
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,454 of 1,474
In district
#6 of 7
Yancey County Schools
About Blue Ridge Elementary
Blue Ridge Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Burnsville, North Carolina, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The school has an enrollment of 400 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.4:1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers. Blue Ridge Elementary focuses on providing a nurturing environment for young learners in its rural setting.
The academic performance at Blue Ridge Elementary shows that 54% of students are proficient or above in both English Language Arts and Math, indicating areas where the school is fostering strong foundational skills. The MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 places it at #2234 among North Carolina’s schools, suggesting there's room for academic growth but also highlighting dedicated efforts toward student development. Blue Ridge Elementary stands as a cornerstone in its rural community, offering educational support and resources to local families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Blue Ridge Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Blue Ridge Elementary — Students at Blue Ridge Elementary score 50% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 10 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 1.2/10.
How Blue Ridge Elementary Compares
See how Blue Ridge Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2021) to 49% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2021) to 51.8% (2025).
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 9.6/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Barnardsville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rock Creek Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Erwin), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Burnsville Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 6.3 miles away), 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 | 7.0 |
| Mountain Heritage High Burnsville | 2.2 mi | 5.1 |
| YANCEY COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Burnsville | 2.4 mi | 3.0 |
| Burnsville Elementary Burnsville | 6.3 mi | 6.4 |
| GENESIS ACADEMY, INC. Burnsville | 6.3 mi | — |
| East Yancey Middle Burnsville | 6.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Micaville Elementary Micaville | 8.8 mi | 3.1 |
| WOLF CREEK ACADEMY Mars Hill | 8.9 mi | — |
| Barnardsville Elementary Barnardsville | 10.7 mi | 9.6 |
| Mars Hill Elementary Mars Hill | 11.5 mi | 5.7 |
| South Toe Elementary Burnsville | 11.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Temple Hill Elementary Erwin | 13.5 mi | 4.9 |
| ARTHUR MORGAN SCHOOL Burnsville | 12.3 mi | — |
| TIMBERSONG ACADEMY Weaverville | 13.7 mi | — |
| Unicoi Co High School Erwin | 15.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Love Chapel Elementary Erwin | 15.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Unicoi Co Middle School Erwin | 15.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Unicoi Community Learning Center Erwin | 15.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Rock Creek Elementary Erwin | 16.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Bowman Middle Bakersville | 13.9 mi | 7.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Blue Ridge Elementary has a median household income of $56,551. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $216,200, with a median rent of $803/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.3%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Dana Elementary Hendersonville, NC | 3.5 |
| Eastlawn Elementary Burlington, NC | 3.5 |
| Fairgrove Elementary School Fairmont, NC | 3.5 |
| North Rowan Elementary Spencer, NC | 3.5 |
| West Rockingham Elementary Rockingham, NC | 3.5 |
| East Albemarle Elementary Albemarle, NC | 3.6 |
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 is ranked #2578 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Blue Ridge Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Blue Ridge Elementary has a composite rating of 3.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Blue Ridge Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Blue Ridge Elementary has 54.2% math proficiency and 54.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (337/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (828) 682-8150
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Yancey County Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,076
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,455
- District Rank
- #6 of 7
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.