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Average

#1139 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 43% in state

Burns Middle

Middle School · Cleveland County Schools

215 Shady Grove Road, Lawndale, NC 28090

Enrollment

756

Student-Teacher

18:1

Score

6.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,139 of 2,648

In Lawndale

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#9 of 28

Cleveland County Schools

Equity

8.2 / 10

Excellent

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Burns Middle

6.7/10

Middle School in Lawndale · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Burns High

6.1/10

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

Fallston Elementary

6.6/10

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

About Burns Middle

Burns Middle is a public middle school in Lawndale, NC, part of Cleveland County Schools. Burns Middle serves approximately 756 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 18:1 student-teacher ratio. Burns Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,139 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Burns Middle show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

Burns Middle 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 Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.04 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55.5% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.7% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-1.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+2.5 pts
Overall Proficiency55% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+8.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,540
Chronic Absenteeism31.5%

Burns Middle — Students at Burns Middle score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 52.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 53.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
85%
ELA
74%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
86%
ELA
73%
2012
Math
30%
ELA
41%
2013
Math
28%
ELA
45%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
39%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
43%
2016
Math
40%
ELA
48%
2017
Math
45%
ELA
48%
2018
Math
50%
ELA
50%
2019
Math
50%
ELA
50%
2020*
Math
53%
ELA
54%
2021*
Math
53%
ELA
54%
2022
Math
55.4%
ELA
48.7%
2025
Math
55.5%
ELA
54.6%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How Burns Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
57th percentile in NC
Academic
7.3/10
Very Good
Growth
7.8/10
Very Good
Environment
4.0/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.5%

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

215 Shady Grove Road, Lawndale, NC 28090

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Burns Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. West Lincoln Middle (rated 6.4/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Lincolnton), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Shelby Middle (rated 5.7/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Shelby), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lawndale, see our Lawndale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Burns High Lawndale 0.5 mi 6.1
Fallston Elementary Fallston 2.2 mi 6.6
CHARITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lawndale 2.9 mi 4.8
Union Elementary Shelby 5.1 mi 6.0
North Brook Elementary Vale 6.8 mi 7.1
Casar Elementary Casar 7.4 mi 8.5
Jefferson Elementary Shelby 8.6 mi 6.3
Turning Point Academy Shelby 9.1 mi 3.9
Cleveland Innovation Shelby 9.1 mi 7.0
Washington Elementary Shelby 9.0 mi 5.0
Shelby High Shelby 10.4 mi 4.3
Elizabeth Elementary Shelby 10.3 mi 3.9
Cleveland ECHS Shelby 10.3 mi 8.5
Shelby Middle Shelby 11.1 mi 5.7
West Lincoln High Lincolnton 9.4 mi 7.3
James Love Elementary Shelby 11.1 mi 4.7
West Lincoln Middle Lincolnton 9.4 mi 6.4
North Shelby Shelby 11.2 mi 6.5
Cherryville High Cherryville 9.3 mi 7.5
W B Beam Intermediate School Cherryville 9.6 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
A G Cox Middle Winterville, NC 6.7
Brevard Middle Brevard, NC 6.7
Mountain View Intermediate Franklin, NC 6.7
North Davidson Middle Lexington, NC 6.7
Orange Middle Hillsborough, NC 6.7
Rockingham County Middle Reidsville, NC 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Burns Middle

What grades does Burns Middle serve?

Burns Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Burns Middle?

Burns Middle has an enrollment of approximately 756 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Burns Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Burns Middle is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Burns Middle rank in NC?

Burns Middle ranks #1,139 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Burns Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Burns Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Burns Middle has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Burns Middle a charter school?

No, Burns Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Burns Middle a Title I school?

No, Burns Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Burns Middle?

99.6% of students at Burns Middle 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
11 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
756
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Cleveland County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.5%

District

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

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