Very Good
#1059 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 40% in state
Cane River Middle
Middle School · Yancey County Schools
1128 Cane River School Road, Burnsville, NC 28714
Enrollment
180
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
180
Student-Teacher
10.6:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Burnsville
#1 of 6
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#125 of 475
In district
#1 of 7
Yancey County Schools
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Cane River Middle
Cane River Middle in Burnsville, North Carolina, is a regular public middle school serving grades six through eight. With an enrollment of 180 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.6:1, the school offers personalized attention to each student. The campus is located on Cane River School Road in a rural setting, fostering a tight-knit community feel.
Cane River Middle focuses on supporting its students' academic growth with an eye toward development beyond test scores. According to MySchoolScout ratings, the school ranks 42nd percentile among North Carolina schools, indicating there is room for improvement but also potential for advancement. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate is at 52% and math proficiency stands at 51%, showing areas where students are making strides.
Cane River Middle School sits in a serene rural environment that provides a peaceful backdrop for learning and growth.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 180 students, Cane River Middle is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Cane River 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
Cane River Middle — Students at Cane River Middle score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.8%
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
↑ 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: 6.0/10.
How Cane River Middle Compares
See how Cane River Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 43% (2019) to 51.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 45% (2019) to 52.8% (2025).
Location
1128 Cane River School Road, Burnsville, NC 28714
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cane River Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Unicoi Co Middle School (rated 8.0/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Erwin), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Bowman Middle (rated 7.6/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Bakersville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, East Yancey Middle (rated 5.5/10, 6.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Burnsville, see our Burnsville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Elementary Burnsville | 0.3 mi | 3.5 |
| Mountain Heritage High Burnsville | 2.5 mi | 5.1 |
| YANCEY COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Burnsville | 2.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Burnsville Elementary Burnsville | 6.6 mi | 6.4 |
| GENESIS ACADEMY, INC. Burnsville | 6.6 mi | — |
| East Yancey Middle Burnsville | 6.7 mi | 5.5 |
| WOLF CREEK ACADEMY Mars Hill | 8.7 mi | — |
| Barnardsville Elementary Barnardsville | 10.5 mi | 9.6 |
| Micaville Elementary Micaville | 9.0 mi | 3.1 |
| Mars Hill Elementary Mars Hill | 11.2 mi | 5.7 |
| South Toe Elementary Burnsville | 11.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Temple Hill Elementary Erwin | 13.5 mi | 4.9 |
| TIMBERSONG ACADEMY Weaverville | 13.5 mi | — |
| ARTHUR MORGAN SCHOOL Burnsville | 12.4 mi | — |
| Unicoi Co High School Erwin | 15.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Love Chapel Elementary Erwin | 15.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Unicoi Co Middle School Erwin | 15.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Unicoi Community Learning Center Erwin | 15.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Rock Creek Elementary Erwin | 16.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Bowman Middle Bakersville | 14.2 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 Cane River Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Weldon Middle Halifax, NC | 7.0 |
| Harris Middle Spruce Pine, NC | 7.1 |
| Cranberry Middle Elk Park, NC | 6.8 |
| Enfield Middle S.T.E.A.M. Academy Enfield, NC | 6.7 |
| Phillips Middle Battleboro, NC | 6.7 |
| CIS Academy Lumberton, NC | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cane River Middle
What grades does Cane River Middle serve?
Cane River Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Cane River Middle?
Cane River Middle has an enrollment of approximately 180 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cane River Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Cane River Middle is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cane River Middle rank in NC?
Cane River Middle is ranked #1059 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Cane River Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Cane River Middle has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Cane River Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cane River Middle has 50.6% math proficiency and 51.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cane River Middle a charter school?
No, Cane River Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cane River Middle a Title I school?
No, Cane River Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cane River Middle?
52.8% of students at Cane River 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 (337/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 180
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 52.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Yancey County
- Phone
- (828) 682-2202
- 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
- #1 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
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