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Needs Improvement

#2380 of 2,648 schools in NC

Forest Hill Elementary

Elementary School · Burke County Schools

304 Ann Street, Morganton, NC 28655

Enrollment

291

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

3.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,380 of 2,648

In Morganton

#17 of 18

public schools

In district

#25 of 26

Burke County Schools

School environment

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Forest Hill Elementary

3.9/10

Elementary School in Morganton · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Nc School for the Deaf

5.6/10

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

Morganton Day School

8.1/10

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

About Forest Hill Elementary

Forest Hill Elementary is a public elementary school in Morganton, NC, part of Burke County Schools. Forest Hill Elementary serves approximately 291 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Forest Hill Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #2,380 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Forest Hill Elementary show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.5 pts below district
  • This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 6.4
  • NC avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.49 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41.7% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency37.8% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-22.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.8 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
Resources & Environment9.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,261
Chronic Absenteeism9.6%

Forest Hill Elementary — Students at Forest Hill Elementary score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 50.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 47.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (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
92%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
97.5%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
50%
ELA
53%
2013
Math
50%
ELA
50%
2014
Math
50%
ELA
48%
2015
Math
50%
ELA
41%
2016
Math
43%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
40%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
37.6%
ELA
34.5%
2025
Math
41.7%
ELA
37.7%

* 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: 1.5/10.

How Forest Hill Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.9/10
10th percentile in NC
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
1.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.2/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.6%

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

304 Ann Street, Morganton, NC 28655

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Forest Hill Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MORGANTON DAY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mountain View Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Drexel Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 5.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Morganton, see our Morganton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.7 mi
School Distance Rating
NC School for the Deaf Morganton 0.6 mi 5.6
MORGANTON DAY SCHOOL Morganton 0.9 mi 8.1
Burke Middle College Morganton 0.9 mi 8.2
Mountain View Elementary Morganton 1.5 mi 8.1
Freedom High Morganton 1.4 mi 5.2
Hillcrest Elementary Morganton 2.1 mi 4.4
Salem Elementary Morganton 2.6 mi 7.8
North Liberty Morganton 2.4 mi 2.9
Liberty Middle Morganton 2.4 mi 6.6
New Dimensions Morganton 2.9 mi 7.1
Robert L. Patton High School Morganton 2.7 mi 7.1
Walter R Johnson Middle Morganton 3.4 mi 4.6
Mull Elementary Morganton 3.0 mi 7.2
W A Young Elementary Morganton 3.8 mi 6.6
Oak Hill Elementary Morganton 4.3 mi 4.6
Table Rock Middle Morganton 4.1 mi 5.8
Glen Alpine Elementary Morganton 4.4 mi 6.9
SILVERCREEK ADVENTIST SCHOOL Morganton 5.4 mi 5.9
Drexel Elementary Morganton 5.3 mi 8.0
Hallyburton Academy Drexel 5.7 mi 5.5

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Love Memorial Elementary Lincolnton, NC 3.9
Townsend Elementary Maxton, NC 3.9
Crosscreek Charter School Louisburg, NC 4.0
Happy Valley Elementary Lenoir, NC 4.0
J T Barber Elementary New Bern, NC 3.8
John W Dillard Academy Madison, NC 3.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Forest Hill Elementary

What grades does Forest Hill Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Forest Hill Elementary?

Forest Hill Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 291 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Forest Hill Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Forest Hill Elementary is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Forest Hill Elementary rank in NC?

Forest Hill Elementary ranks #2,380 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Forest Hill Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Forest Hill Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 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 Forest Hill Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Forest Hill Elementary has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Forest Hill Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Forest Hill Elementary a Title I school?

No, Forest Hill Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

99.0% of students at Forest Hill 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

Walk Score
30 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
11 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
291
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Burke County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.6%

District

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

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