Average
#1346 of 2,648 schools in NC
Robert L. Patton High School
High School · Burke County Schools
701 Enola Road, Morganton, NC 28655
Enrollment
753
Student-Teacher
17.9:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
753
Student-Teacher
17.9:1
Score
6.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Morganton
#8 of 18
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#131 of 579
In district
#13 of 26
Burke County Schools
Equity
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Robert L. Patton High School
Robert L. Patton High School serves grades 9 through 12 in Morganton, North Carolina, with an enrollment of 753 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.9 to 1, supported by 42 full-time equivalent teachers.
Academically, the school has a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10, placing it in the 61st percentile statewide and ranking #1042 among North Carolina's 2,661 schools. Math proficiency stands at 66 percent of students scoring at or above grade level, while ELA and reading proficiency is at 61 percent. With an academic score of 7.5 out of 10, the school shows solid performance in core subjects with room for continued growth.
Located at 701 Enola Road, Robert L. Patton High School sits in a rural setting near town, making it an accessible option for families in the Burke County area. The school's moderate class sizes and stable teaching staff create an environment where students can receive individualized attention while building connections with educators.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Robert L. Patton 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
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Robert L. Patton High School — Students at Robert L. Patton High School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
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
→ 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: 3.6/10.
How Robert L. Patton High School Compares
See how Robert L. Patton High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 52.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 63.6% (2025).
Location
701 Enola Road, Morganton, NC 28655
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Robert L. Patton High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Burke Middle College (rated 5.7/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Hallyburton Academy (rated 5.5/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Drexel), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Freedom High (rated 3.2/10, 4.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Morganton, see our Morganton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Liberty Middle Morganton | 0.3 mi | 7.0 |
| North Liberty Morganton | 0.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Mull Elementary Morganton | 0.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Burke Middle College Morganton | 1.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Salem Elementary Morganton | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| NC School for the Deaf Morganton | 2.2 mi | 5.6 |
| MORGANTON DAY SCHOOL Morganton | 2.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Forest Hill Elementary Morganton | 2.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Hillcrest Elementary Morganton | 3.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Mountain View Elementary Morganton | 3.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Freedom High Morganton | 4.0 mi | 3.2 |
| New Dimensions Morganton | 4.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Drexel Elementary Morganton | 4.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Walter R Johnson Middle Morganton | 5.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Hallyburton Academy Drexel | 5.2 mi | 5.5 |
| W A Young Elementary Morganton | 5.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Heritage Middle Valdese | 6.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Burke Virtual Academy Valdese | 6.3 mi | — |
| Table Rock Middle Morganton | 6.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Glen Alpine Elementary Morganton | 6.3 mi | 8.1 |
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 Robert L. Patton High School 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 |
|---|---|
| Carrboro High Carrboro, NC | 6.4 |
| Manteo High School Manteo, NC | 6.4 |
| CARY ACADEMY Cary, NC | 6.5 |
| Brevard High Brevard, NC | 6.3 |
| Concord High Concord, NC | 6.3 |
| East Carteret High Beaufort, NC | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Robert L. Patton High School
What grades does Robert L. Patton High School serve?
Robert L. Patton High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Robert L. Patton High School?
Robert L. Patton High School has an enrollment of approximately 753 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Robert L. Patton High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Robert L. Patton High School is 17.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Robert L. Patton High School rank in NC?
Robert L. Patton High School is ranked #1346 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Robert L. Patton High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Robert L. Patton High School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Robert L. Patton High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Robert L. Patton High School has 62.1% math proficiency and 60.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Robert L. Patton High School a charter school?
No, Robert L. Patton High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Robert L. Patton High School a Title I school?
No, Robert L. Patton High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Robert L. Patton High School?
99.6% of students at Robert L. Patton 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (926/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 753
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Burke County
- Phone
- (828) 433-3000
- 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
- #13 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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