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Average

#1931 of 2,648 schools in NC

Drexel Elementary

Elementary School · Burke County Schools

100 Alta Vista Street, Morganton, NC 28655

Enrollment

478

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

5.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Morganton

#16 of 18

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#1,260 of 1,474

In district

#22 of 26

Burke County Schools

Equity

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Drexel Elementary

Drexel Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Morganton, North Carolina, located in Burke County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 478 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1. Drexel Elementary boasts 31 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support the educational needs of its diverse student body.

The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.8 out of 10, placing it at #1679 among 2661 schools in North Carolina, which corresponds to the 37th percentile. Academically, students perform with 50% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 54% in Math, indicating areas where continued growth is needed. Drexel Elementary is situated in a mid-size suburb, offering a supportive community environment for both students and families.

The school focuses on nurturing the development of each child while striving to improve academic performance across all grade levels.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.3Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.5%
Math vs. State Avg-8.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.9 pts
Overall Proficiency53%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+8.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.0Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,845

Drexel Elementary — Students at Drexel Elementary score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 53.8%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 50.0%
School
State
52.7%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
53%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
49%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
55.2%
ELA
50.6%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How Drexel Elementary Compares

See how Drexel Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
27th percentile in NC
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
6.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

Location

100 Alta Vista Street, Morganton, NC 28655

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Drexel Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mull Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MORGANTON DAY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 4.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Baton Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Granite Falls), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Morganton, see our Morganton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Hallyburton Academy Drexel 0.5 mi 5.5
Heritage Middle Valdese 1.7 mi 6.9
Burke Virtual Academy Valdese 1.7 mi
Valdese Elementary Valdese 2.4 mi 6.1
Hillcrest Elementary Morganton 3.7 mi 7.4
Jimmy C Draughn High School Valdese 3.8 mi 5.8
Mull Elementary Morganton 4.2 mi 8.5
North Liberty Morganton 4.5 mi 6.3
Liberty Middle Morganton 4.5 mi 7.0
Robert L. Patton High School Morganton 4.7 mi 6.4
MORGANTON DAY SCHOOL Morganton 4.5 mi 8.1
New Dimensions Morganton 4.7 mi 5.6
CHRIST CLASSICAL ACADEMY Connelly Springs 4.7 mi 4.8
Burke Middle College Morganton 4.8 mi 5.7
NC School for the Deaf Morganton 4.8 mi 5.6
Walter R Johnson Middle Morganton 5.1 mi 5.4
Mountain View Elementary Morganton 5.2 mi 7.2
Baton Elementary Granite Falls 5.8 mi 7.7
Forest Hill Elementary Morganton 5.3 mi 5.1
Salem Elementary Morganton 6.4 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28655 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,464

Median Home Value

$170,400

Median Rent

$827/mo

Population

56,201

College Educated

20.8%

Homeownership

72.7%

Avg Commute

23.5 min

Poverty Rate

21.2%

Median Age

43.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Drexel Elementary has a median household income of $53,464. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $170,400, with a median rent of $827/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Cherryville Elementary Cherryville, NC 5.4
Coltrane-Webb Elementary Concord, NC 5.4
Gibsonville Elementary Gibsonville, NC 5.4
Hunter Elementary Greensboro, NC 5.4
Lindley Park Elementary Asheboro, NC 5.4
Longview Elementary Hickory, NC 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Drexel Elementary

What grades does Drexel Elementary serve?

Drexel Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Drexel Elementary?

Drexel Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 478 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Drexel Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Drexel Elementary is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Drexel Elementary rank in NC?

Drexel Elementary is ranked #1931 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Drexel Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Drexel Elementary has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Drexel Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Drexel Elementary has 53.8% math proficiency and 50.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Drexel Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Drexel Elementary a Title I school?

No, Drexel Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Drexel Elementary?

99.4% of students at Drexel Elementary 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
Elevated (926/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
478
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Burke County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Burke County Schools
District Enrollment
11,690
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,261
District Rank
#22 of 26

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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