Average
#1825 of 2,648 schools in NC
Burns Middle
Middle School · Cleveland County Schools
215 Shady Grove Road, Lawndale, NC 28090
Enrollment
756
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
756
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lawndale
#2 of 2
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#294 of 475
In district
#22 of 28
Cleveland County Schools
Equity
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Burns Middle
Burns Middle serves students in grades six through eight in Lawndale, North Carolina, a rural community in Cleveland County. The school enrolls 756 students with a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, supported by 42 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Burns Middle is working to strengthen student performance.
Across both English Language Arts and mathematics, approximately 54 percent of students are performing at or above proficiency levels, with notable room for academic growth. The school's academic score of 5.7 out of 10 reflects these developing proficiency rates. Statewide, Burns Middle ranks in the 39th percentile among North Carolina schools, positioning it in the lower-middle range of state performance metrics.
With an enrollment size that allows for community connection while maintaining access to middle school resources and programming, Burns Middle serves the educational needs of a primarily rural area. For families in Lawndale considering middle school options, Burns Middle represents a local public school choice with opportunities for students to develop foundational skills in core academic areas.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Burns Middle 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
View breakdown
Burns Middle — Students at Burns Middle score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 4.9/10.
How Burns Middle Compares
See how Burns Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 50% (2019) to 55.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 50% (2019) to 54.7% (2025).
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 6.3/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Lincolnton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Shelby Middle (rated 4.9/10, 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 | 6.2 |
| Fallston Elementary Fallston | 2.2 mi | 7.1 |
| CHARITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lawndale | 2.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Union Elementary Shelby | 5.1 mi | 8.5 |
| North Brook Elementary Vale | 6.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Casar Elementary Casar | 7.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Jefferson Elementary Shelby | 8.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Turning Point Academy Shelby | 9.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Cleveland Innovation Shelby | 9.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Washington Elementary Shelby | 9.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Shelby High Shelby | 10.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Elizabeth Elementary Shelby | 10.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Cleveland ECHS Shelby | 10.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Shelby Middle Shelby | 11.1 mi | 4.9 |
| West Lincoln High Lincolnton | 9.4 mi | 5.3 |
| James Love Elementary Shelby | 11.1 mi | 6.0 |
| West Lincoln Middle Lincolnton | 9.4 mi | 6.3 |
| North Shelby Shelby | 11.2 mi | 9.1 |
| Cherryville High Cherryville | 9.3 mi | 4.8 |
| W B Beam Intermediate School Cherryville | 9.6 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Carroll Middle Raleigh, NC | 5.6 |
| Eastern Guilford Middle Gibsonville, NC | 5.6 |
| Kernersville Middle Kernersville, NC | 5.6 |
| Kings Mountain Middle Kings Mountain, NC | 5.6 |
| Northeast Guilford Middle Mcleansville, NC | 5.6 |
| Otis L Hairston Sr Middle Greensboro, NC | 5.6 |
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 is ranked #1825 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Burns Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Burns Middle has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Burns Middle has 54.2% math proficiency and 53.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (704) 476-8223
- 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
- #22 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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