Average
#1712 of 2,648 schools in NC
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
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
656
Student-Teacher
19.3:1
Score
5.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Valdese
#3 of 3
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#212 of 579
In district
#17 of 26
Burke County Schools
Equity
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Jimmy C Draughn High School
Jimmy C Draughn High School is a regular public high school located in Valdese, North Carolina. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 656 students and employs 34 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 19.3:1. The academic performance at Jimmy C Draughn High School shows that 58% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, while 63% achieve proficiency or above in math.
These scores indicate areas for growth but also highlight the school's commitment to student development. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 6.4 out of 10, placing it at the 65th percentile among North Carolina high schools. Located in a rural setting near Valdese, Jimmy C Draughn High School benefits from a close-knit community atmosphere that fosters support and engagement both inside and outside the classroom.
Jimmy C Draughn High School is situated in a serene countryside area near Valdese, offering students a peaceful environment conducive to learning and personal growth.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Jimmy C Draughn High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Jimmy C Draughn High School — Students at Jimmy C Draughn High School score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 5.8/10.
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
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 64.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 60.7% (2025).
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 6.1/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Hudson), with a very similar rating. Another option is Hallyburton Academy (rated 5.5/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Drexel), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Caldwell Early College (rated 5.4/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Hudson), with a comparable 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 | 6.1 |
| CHRIST CLASSICAL ACADEMY Connelly Springs | 2.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Heritage Middle Valdese | 2.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Burke Virtual Academy Valdese | 2.1 mi | — |
| Baton Elementary Granite Falls | 2.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Hallyburton Academy Drexel | 3.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Drexel Elementary Morganton | 3.8 mi | 5.4 |
| East Burke High Connelly Springs | 4.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Sawmills Elementary Granite Falls | 5.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Icard Elementary Connelly Springs | 4.9 mi | 6.9 |
| East Burke Middle Connelly Springs | 5.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Hudson Elementary Hudson | 6.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Hudson Middle Hudson | 6.7 mi | 5.8 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hudson | 6.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy Hudson | 7.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Caldwell Early College Hudson | 7.0 mi | 5.4 |
| South Caldwell High Hudson | 6.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Granite Falls Middle Granite Falls | 6.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Gamewell Elementary Lenoir | 7.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Granite Falls Elementary Granite Falls | 6.7 mi | 7.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Jimmy C Draughn High School has a median household income of $67,974. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $185,000, with a median rent of $670/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Gates County Senior High Gatesville, NC | 5.8 |
| Hertford County High Ahoskie, NC | 5.7 |
| Longleaf School of the Arts Raleigh, NC | 5.7 |
| Bear Grass Charter School Williamston, NC | 5.9 |
| Swain County High School Bryson City, NC | 5.9 |
| The School for Creative Studies Durham, NC | 5.9 |
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 is ranked #1712 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Jimmy C Draughn High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Jimmy C Draughn High School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Jimmy C Draughn High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jimmy C Draughn High School has 61.3% math proficiency and 58.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,084/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Valdese). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (828) 879-4200
- 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
- #17 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.