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Average

#1432 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

6.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,432 of 2,648

In Lawndale

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#15 of 28

Cleveland County Schools

Equity

7.6 / 10

Very Good

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Burns High

6.1/10

High School in Lawndale · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Burns Middle

6.7/10

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

Fallston Elementary

6.6/10

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

About Burns High

Burns High is a public high school in Lawndale, NC, part of Cleveland County Schools. Burns High serves approximately 922 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Burns High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,432 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Burns High show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.1 · Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Burns High 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.

32% of students at Burns High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.73 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48.3% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.3% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-7.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.7 pts
Overall Proficiency52% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+5.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College Readiness6.6Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate89%
AP Participation12.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,540
Chronic Absenteeism31.9%

Burns High — Students at Burns High score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 42.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 53.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
68%
ELA
64%
2010
Math
81%
ELA
68%
2011
Math
84%
ELA
88%
2012
Math
20%
ELA
50%
2013
Math
40%
ELA
56%
2014
Math
30%
ELA
45%
2015
Math
41%
ELA
45%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
46%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
33%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
33%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
59%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
59%
2025
Math
48.3%
ELA
56.3%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How Burns High Compares

See how Burns High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
46th percentile in NC
Academic
6.8/10
Average
Growth
5.5/10
Average
Environment
5.2/10
Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 3
Sports
22
11 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
57 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
12.8% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics22sports offered
11 boys'·11 girls'·27 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

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 8.5/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Shelby), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cherryville High (rated 7.5/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Cherryville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Lincoln High (rated 7.3/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Lincolnton), which scores notably higher. 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 6.7
Fallston Elementary Fallston 1.9 mi 6.6
CHARITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lawndale 2.5 mi 4.8
Union Elementary Shelby 5.3 mi 6.0
North Brook Elementary Vale 6.8 mi 7.1
Jefferson Elementary Shelby 8.2 mi 6.3
Casar Elementary Casar 7.8 mi 8.5
Turning Point Academy Shelby 8.8 mi 3.9
Cleveland Innovation Shelby 8.8 mi 7.0
Washington Elementary Shelby 8.5 mi 5.0
Elizabeth Elementary Shelby 9.9 mi 3.9
Cleveland ECHS Shelby 9.9 mi 8.5
Shelby High Shelby 10.1 mi 4.3
Cherryville High Cherryville 8.8 mi 7.5
Shelby Middle Shelby 10.8 mi 5.7
West Lincoln High Lincolnton 9.2 mi 7.3
West Lincoln Middle Lincolnton 9.2 mi 6.4
James Love Elementary Shelby 10.8 mi 4.7
North Shelby Shelby 10.9 mi 6.5
W B Beam Intermediate School Cherryville 9.1 mi 5.1

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
East Burke High Connelly Springs, NC 6.1
Providence Grove High School Climax, NC 6.1
Rockingham County High Wentworth, NC 6.1
Anson High School Wadesboro, NC 6.0
Ayden-Grifton High Ayden, NC 6.0
East Davidson High Thomasville, NC 6.0

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 ranks #1,432 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Burns High's MySchoolScout rating?

Burns High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 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 Burns High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Burns High has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.9%
4-Year Graduation
89.0%

District

Cleveland County Schools
District Enrollment
14,458
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,540
District Rank
#15 of 28

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