Very Good
#966 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 36% in state
Jimmy C Draughn High School
High School · Burke County Schools
709 Lovelady Road NE, Valdese, NC 28690
Enrollment
656
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
656
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
7.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#966 of 2,648
In Valdese
#2 of 3
public schools
In district
#9 of 26
Burke County Schools
Equity
9.3 / 10
Excellent
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Jimmy C Draughn High School
High School in Valdese · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Valdese Elementary
1.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Christ Classical Academy
2.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Jimmy C Draughn High School
Jimmy C Draughn High School is a public high school in Valdese, NC, part of Burke County Schools. Jimmy C Draughn High School serves approximately 656 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Jimmy C Draughn High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #966 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Jimmy C Draughn High School show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.0 · Very Good
- District avg 6.5
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Jimmy C Draughn High School 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Jimmy C Draughn High School — Students at Jimmy C Draughn High School score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.4/10.
How Jimmy C Draughn High School Compares
See how Jimmy C Draughn High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
709 Lovelady Road NE, Valdese, NC 28690
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Jimmy C Draughn High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy (rated 8.2/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Hudson), which scores notably higher. Another option is Caldwell Early College (rated 8.0/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Hudson), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, South Caldwell High (rated 6.8/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Hudson), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Valdese, see our Valdese schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Valdese Elementary Valdese | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
| CHRIST CLASSICAL ACADEMY Connelly Springs | 2.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Heritage Middle Valdese | 2.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Burke Virtual Academy Valdese | 2.1 mi | — |
| Baton Elementary Granite Falls | 2.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Hallyburton Academy Drexel | 3.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Drexel Elementary Morganton | 3.8 mi | 8.0 |
| East Burke High Connelly Springs | 4.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Sawmills Elementary Granite Falls | 5.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Icard Elementary Connelly Springs | 4.9 mi | 7.7 |
| East Burke Middle Connelly Springs | 5.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Hudson Elementary Hudson | 6.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Hudson Middle Hudson | 6.7 mi | 5.2 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hudson | 6.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy Hudson | 7.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Caldwell Early College Hudson | 7.0 mi | 8.0 |
| South Caldwell High Hudson | 6.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Granite Falls Middle Granite Falls | 6.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Gamewell Elementary Lenoir | 7.7 mi | 3.7 |
| Granite Falls Elementary Granite Falls | 6.7 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28690 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,974
Median Home Value
$185,000
Median Rent
$670/mo
Population
9,294
College Educated
30.7%
Homeownership
80.7%
Avg Commute
22.5 min
Poverty Rate
8.7%
Median Age
51.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Chase High School Forest City, NC | 7.0 |
| Smoky Mountain High School Sylva, NC | 7.0 |
| West Bladen High Bladenboro, NC | 7.0 |
| Wilkes Central High School Wilkesboro, NC | 7.0 |
| Gray Stone Day Misenheimer, NC | 7.1 |
| Ledford Senior High Thomasville, NC | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Jimmy C Draughn High School
What grades does Jimmy C Draughn High School serve?
Jimmy C Draughn High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Jimmy C Draughn High School?
Jimmy C Draughn High School has an enrollment of approximately 656 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Jimmy C Draughn High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Jimmy C Draughn High School is 19.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Jimmy C Draughn High School rank in NC?
Jimmy C Draughn High School ranks #966 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Jimmy C Draughn High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Jimmy C Draughn High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Jimmy C Draughn High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Jimmy C Draughn High School has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Jimmy C Draughn High School a charter school?
No, Jimmy C Draughn High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Jimmy C Draughn High School a Title I school?
No, Jimmy C Draughn High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jimmy C Draughn High School?
99.4% of students at Jimmy C Draughn High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 656
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Burke County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 26.4%
- Phone
- (828) 879-4200
- 4-Year Graduation
- 95%+
Resources & Links
District
Burke County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,690
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,261
- District Rank
- #9 of 26
Other Schools in This District
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