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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.0Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.35 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.1Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52.8%
Math vs. State Avg-5.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.6 pts
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected-6.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,275

Cane River Middle — Students at Cane River Middle score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 50.6%
School
State
53.9%
ELA Proficiency 51.8%
School
State
53.0%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
43%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
51%
ELA
53%
2025
Math
52.4%
ELA
53.1%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.0/10
60th percentile in NC
Academic
6.1/10
6.1/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Yancey County Schools
District Enrollment
2,076
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,455
District Rank
#1 of 7

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 methodology

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