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Average

#1737 of 2,648 schools in NC

Cane River Middle

Middle School · Yancey County Schools

1128 Cane River School Road, Burnsville, NC 28714

Enrollment

180

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

5.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,737 of 2,648

In Burnsville

#2 of 6

public schools

In district

#2 of 7

Yancey County Schools

School environment

8.5 / 10

Excellent

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Cane River Middle

5.6/10

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

Blue Ridge Elementary

3.4/10

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

Mountain Heritage High

7.5/10

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

About Cane River Middle

Cane River Middle is a public middle school in Burnsville, NC, part of Yancey County Schools. Cane River Middle serves approximately 180 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 10.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Cane River Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,737 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Cane River Middle show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • District avg 5.4
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

At 180 students, Cane River Middle is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Cane River 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.

42% of students at Cane River 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 Progress3.9Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.12 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.8% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52.8% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-5.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.6 pts
Overall Proficiency52% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)61% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-8.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
Resources & Environment8.5Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,455
Chronic Absenteeism42.2%

Cane River Middle — Students at Cane River Middle score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

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 57.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 56.5% (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
90%
ELA
85%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
93%
ELA
81%
2012
Math
50%
ELA
50%
2013
Math
44%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
45%
ELA
46%
2015
Math
55%
ELA
48%
2016
Math
55%
ELA
53%
2017
Math
53%
ELA
56%
2018
Math
43%
ELA
45%
2019
Math
43%
ELA
45%
2020*
Math
51%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
51%
ELA
53%
2022
Math
60.3%
ELA
50.3%
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: 3.9/10.

How Cane River Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
5.6/10
34th percentile in NC
Academic
5.6/10
Average
Growth
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.5/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
42.2%

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

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 7.1/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Erwin), which scores notably higher. Another option is East Yancey Middle (rated 5.3/10, 6.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Bowman Middle (rated 4.8/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Bakersville), with a comparable rating. 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 3.4
Mountain Heritage High Burnsville 2.5 mi 7.5
YANCEY COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Burnsville 2.7 mi 3.1
Burnsville Elementary Burnsville 6.6 mi 5.5
GENESIS ACADEMY, INC. Burnsville 6.6 mi
East Yancey Middle Burnsville 6.7 mi 5.3
WOLF CREEK ACADEMY Mars Hill 8.7 mi
Barnardsville Elementary Barnardsville 10.5 mi 7.6
Micaville Elementary Micaville 9.0 mi 3.8
Mars Hill Elementary Mars Hill 11.2 mi 7.2
South Toe Elementary Burnsville 11.7 mi 5.0
Temple Hill Elementary Erwin 13.5 mi 4.1
TIMBERSONG ACADEMY Weaverville 13.5 mi
ARTHUR MORGAN SCHOOL Burnsville 12.4 mi
Unicoi Co High School Erwin 15.4 mi 5.8
Love Chapel Elementary Erwin 15.6 mi 5.2
Unicoi Co Middle School Erwin 15.7 mi 7.1
Unicoi Community Learning Center Erwin 15.7 mi 3.1
Rock Creek Elementary Erwin 16.4 mi 6.3
Bowman Middle Bakersville 14.2 mi 4.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
South Creek Middle Robersonville, NC 5.6
Clarkton School of Discovery Clarkton, NC 5.7
Avery Middle Newland, NC 5.4
Elise Middle Robbins, NC 5.2
Andrews Middle Andrews, NC 6.0
Enfield Middle S.T.E.A.M. Academy Enfield, NC 6.0

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 ranks #1,737 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Cane River Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Cane River Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 Cane River Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cane River Middle has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
42.2%

District

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

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