Average
#1487 of 2,648 schools in NC
Burns High
High School · Cleveland County Schools
307 E Stagecoach Trail, Lawndale, NC 28090
Enrollment
922
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
6.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
922
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
6.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lawndale
#1 of 2
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#158 of 579
In district
#16 of 28
Cleveland County Schools
Equity
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Burns High
Burns High serves 922 students in grades 9-12 in Lawndale, North Carolina, with a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1 and 57 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks in the 46th percentile statewide, placing #1447 out of 2661 North Carolina high schools, with room for academic growth as it works to strengthen student outcomes. Academic performance shows 56% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts, while 46% reach proficiency in mathematics.
With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10, Burns High is focusing on student development and improving these foundational skills across all grade levels. The school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $48,275 and 18% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a poverty rate of 15.7% in the surrounding area, Burns High plays an important role in providing educational opportunities for students from varied economic backgrounds.
Located on East Stagecoach Trail, Burns High sits in Cleveland County's rural landscape, offering students a close-knit school environment where they can build meaningful relationships with teachers and peers while preparing for their post-graduation goals.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Burns High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Burns High — Students at Burns High score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 7.0/10.
How Burns High Compares
See how Burns High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 33% (2019) to 43.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 56.3% (2025).
Location
307 E Stagecoach Trail, Lawndale, NC 28090
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Burns High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cleveland ECHS (rated 6.5/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Shelby), with a very similar rating. Another option is Turning Point Academy (rated 5.9/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Shelby), with a very similar rating. Additionally, West Lincoln High (rated 5.3/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Lincolnton), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lawndale, see our Lawndale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Burns Middle Lawndale | 0.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Fallston Elementary Fallston | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
| CHARITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lawndale | 2.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Union Elementary Shelby | 5.3 mi | 8.5 |
| North Brook Elementary Vale | 6.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Jefferson Elementary Shelby | 8.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Casar Elementary Casar | 7.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Turning Point Academy Shelby | 8.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Cleveland Innovation Shelby | 8.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Washington Elementary Shelby | 8.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Elizabeth Elementary Shelby | 9.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Cleveland ECHS Shelby | 9.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Shelby High Shelby | 10.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Cherryville High Cherryville | 8.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Shelby Middle Shelby | 10.8 mi | 4.9 |
| West Lincoln High Lincolnton | 9.2 mi | 5.3 |
| West Lincoln Middle Lincolnton | 9.2 mi | 6.3 |
| James Love Elementary Shelby | 10.8 mi | 6.0 |
| North Shelby Shelby | 10.9 mi | 9.1 |
| W B Beam Intermediate School Cherryville | 9.1 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28090 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$52,224
Median Home Value
$140,200
Median Rent
$680/mo
Population
7,422
College Educated
19.3%
Homeownership
73.1%
Avg Commute
30.3 min
Poverty Rate
15.5%
Median Age
43.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Burns High has a median household income of $52,224. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $140,200, with a median rent of $680/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.5%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Croatan High Newport, NC | 6.2 |
| Gray Stone Day Misenheimer, NC | 6.2 |
| High Point Central High High Point, NC | 6.2 |
| Spring Creek High Seven Springs, NC | 6.2 |
| Brevard High Brevard, NC | 6.3 |
| Concord High Concord, NC | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Burns High
What grades does Burns High serve?
Burns High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Burns High?
Burns High has an enrollment of approximately 922 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Burns High?
The student-teacher ratio at Burns High is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Burns High rank in NC?
Burns High is ranked #1487 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Burns High's MySchoolScout rating?
Burns High has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Burns High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Burns High has 39.5% math proficiency and 52.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Burns High a charter school?
No, Burns High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Burns High a Title I school?
No, Burns High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Burns High?
99.0% of students at Burns High 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 (637/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 922
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 57
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Cleveland County
- Phone
- (704) 476-8335
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cleveland County Schools- District Enrollment
- 14,458
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,540
- District Rank
- #16 of 28
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
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