Very Good
#1006 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 38% in state
Liberty Middle
Middle School · Burke County Schools
529 Enola Road, Morganton, NC 28655
Enrollment
459
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
459
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Morganton
#6 of 18
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#114 of 475
In district
#9 of 26
Burke County Schools
Equity
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Liberty Middle
Liberty Middle, a regular public school located in Morganton, North Carolina, serves students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 459 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1, the school benefits from having 28 full-time equivalent teachers to support its diverse learning needs. Situated in a rural area near the town, Liberty Middle offers a close-knit community feel where students can engage actively with their peers and educators.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 reflects its position at the 59th percentile among North Carolina schools (#1093 out of 2661), indicating there is room for academic growth. Students perform moderately well in English Language Arts, with 53% reaching proficiency or above, and slightly better in math, where 57% are proficient or above. Liberty Middle thrives within its rural setting, fostering a supportive environment that encourages student development and community involvement.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Liberty Middle 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Liberty Middle — Students at Liberty Middle score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 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: 7.1/10.
How Liberty Middle Compares
See how Liberty Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 43% (2019) to 64.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 53% (2019) to 53.9% (2025).
Location
529 Enola Road, Morganton, NC 28655
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Liberty Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Heritage Middle (rated 6.9/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Valdese), with a very similar rating. Another option is Table Rock Middle (rated 6.0/10, 6.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Walter R Johnson Middle (rated 5.4/10, 5.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Morganton, see our Morganton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Liberty Morganton | 0.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Robert L. Patton High School Morganton | 0.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Mull Elementary Morganton | 0.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Burke Middle College Morganton | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| NC School for the Deaf Morganton | 1.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Salem Elementary Morganton | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| MORGANTON DAY SCHOOL Morganton | 2.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Forest Hill Elementary Morganton | 2.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Hillcrest Elementary Morganton | 3.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Mountain View Elementary Morganton | 3.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Freedom High Morganton | 3.8 mi | 3.2 |
| New Dimensions Morganton | 4.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Drexel Elementary Morganton | 4.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Walter R Johnson Middle Morganton | 5.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Hallyburton Academy Drexel | 5.0 mi | 5.5 |
| W A Young Elementary Morganton | 5.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Heritage Middle Valdese | 6.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Burke Virtual Academy Valdese | 6.2 mi | — |
| Table Rock Middle Morganton | 6.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Oak Hill Elementary Morganton | 6.8 mi | 5.6 |
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 Liberty Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Chase Middle School Forest City, NC | 7.0 |
| Grantham Middle Goldsboro, NC | 7.0 |
| Moyock Middle Moyock, NC | 7.0 |
| New Bridge Middle Jacksonville, NC | 7.0 |
| North Windy Ridge Intermediate Weaverville, NC | 7.0 |
| Central Middle School Gatesville, NC | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Liberty Middle
What grades does Liberty Middle serve?
Liberty Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Liberty Middle?
Liberty Middle has an enrollment of approximately 459 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Liberty Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Liberty Middle is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Liberty Middle rank in NC?
Liberty Middle is ranked #1006 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Liberty Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Liberty Middle has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Liberty Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Liberty Middle has 57.3% math proficiency and 52.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Liberty Middle a charter school?
No, Liberty Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Liberty Middle a Title I school?
No, Liberty Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Liberty Middle?
99.1% of students at Liberty Middle 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 459
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Burke County
- Phone
- (828) 437-1330
- 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
- #9 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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