Needs Improvement
#2599 of 2,648 schools in NC
Freedom High
High School · Burke County Schools
511 Independence Boulevard, Morganton, NC 28655
Enrollment
1,374
Student-Teacher
18.6:1
Score
3.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,374
Student-Teacher
18.6:1
Score
3.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Morganton
#18 of 18
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#556 of 579
In district
#26 of 26
Burke County Schools
About Freedom High
Freedom High enrolls 1,374 students in grades 9-12 and serves the Morganton community in Burke County, North Carolina. With 74 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18.6:1 student-teacher ratio, providing reasonable class sizes for individual attention. Academically, Freedom High has room for growth, with 42% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and 43% in mathematics.
The school ranks in the 31st percentile among North Carolina high schools, reflecting opportunities for continued academic development and support for students working toward improved outcomes. The school draws from a diverse economic community where the median household income is $51,689 and about one in five residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher. With a poverty rate of 20.6% in the surrounding area, Freedom High serves families from varied socioeconomic backgrounds, creating an environment where students can learn alongside peers from different life experiences.
Located on Independence Boulevard in Morganton, Freedom High sits in a small city setting that offers students the benefits of a close-knit community atmosphere while still providing access to urban amenities and opportunities.
Score Breakdown
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Freedom High — Students at Freedom High score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.8/10.
How Freedom High Compares
See how Freedom High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 30.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 41.7% (2025).
Location
511 Independence Boulevard, Morganton, NC 28655
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Freedom High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Robert L. Patton High School (rated 6.4/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Burke Middle College (rated 5.7/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Morganton, see our Morganton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain View Elementary Morganton | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Forest Hill Elementary Morganton | 1.4 mi | 5.1 |
| MORGANTON DAY SCHOOL Morganton | 1.8 mi | 8.1 |
| NC School for the Deaf Morganton | 1.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Burke Middle College Morganton | 2.3 mi | 5.7 |
| New Dimensions Morganton | 2.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Walter R Johnson Middle Morganton | 2.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Hillcrest Elementary Morganton | 2.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Oak Hill Elementary Morganton | 3.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Table Rock Middle Morganton | 2.8 mi | 6.0 |
| W A Young Elementary Morganton | 3.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Salem Elementary Morganton | 3.7 mi | 6.8 |
| North Liberty Morganton | 3.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Liberty Middle Morganton | 3.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Glen Alpine Elementary Morganton | 3.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Robert L. Patton High School Morganton | 4.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Mull Elementary Morganton | 4.4 mi | 8.5 |
| SILVERCREEK ADVENTIST SCHOOL Morganton | 4.9 mi | 5.9 |
| THE LEARNING CENTER Morganton | 6.6 mi | — |
| Drexel Elementary Morganton | 6.2 mi | 5.4 |
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 Freedom High 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 |
|---|---|
| Purnell Swett High Pembroke, NC | 3.2 |
| Garinger High School Charlotte, NC | 3.1 |
| Hunter Huss High Gastonia, NC | 3.1 |
| Rockingham County High Wentworth, NC | 3.1 |
| A L Brown High Kannapolis, NC | 3.4 |
| West Cabarrus High Concord, NC | 3.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Freedom High
What grades does Freedom High serve?
Freedom High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Freedom High?
Freedom High has an enrollment of approximately 1,374 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Freedom High?
The student-teacher ratio at Freedom High is 18.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Freedom High rank in NC?
Freedom High is ranked #2599 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Freedom High's MySchoolScout rating?
Freedom High has a composite rating of 3.2 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 Freedom High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Freedom High has 45.2% math proficiency and 47.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Freedom High a charter school?
No, Freedom High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Freedom High a Title I school?
No, Freedom High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Freedom High?
99.8% of students at Freedom High 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,374
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 74
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Burke County
- Phone
- (828) 433-1310
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Burke County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,690
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,261
- District Rank
- #26 of 26
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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