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Very Good

#890 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 34% in state

Robert L. Patton High School

High School · Burke County Schools

701 Enola Road, Morganton, NC 28655

Enrollment

753

Student-Teacher

17.9:1

Score

7.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#890 of 2,648

In Morganton

#7 of 18

public schools

In district

#8 of 26

Burke County Schools

Equity

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Robert L. Patton High School

7.1/10

High School in Morganton · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Liberty Middle

6.6/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

North Liberty

2.9/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Robert L. Patton High School

Robert L. Patton High School is a public high school in Morganton, NC, part of Burke County Schools. Robert L.

Patton High School serves approximately 753 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Robert L. Patton High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #890 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Robert L. Patton High School show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 7.1 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.5
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Robert L. Patton 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 metrics
Student Progress6.1Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.6 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.6Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65.4% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency63.6% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+9.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10 pts
Overall Proficiency65% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+18.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
College Readiness8.1Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate96%
AP Participation21.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,261
Chronic Absenteeism21.1%

Robert L. Patton High School — Students at Robert L. Patton High School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 61.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 62.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
89%
ELA
75%
2010
Math
95%
ELA
89%
2011
Math
94%
ELA
90%
2012
Math
56%
ELA
59%
2013
Math
43%
ELA
55%
2014
Math
53%
ELA
53%
2015
Math
54%
ELA
55%
2016
Math
49%
ELA
51%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
44%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
65.4%
ELA
63.6%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Robert L. Patton High School Compares

See how Robert L. Patton High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
66th percentile in NC
Academic
8.6/10
Excellent
Growth
6.1/10
Average
Environment
5.0/10
Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
21.2% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.2/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hallyburton Academy (rated 5.5/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Drexel), a more accessible option. Additionally, Freedom High (rated 5.2/10, 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 6.6
North Liberty Morganton 0.4 mi 2.9
Mull Elementary Morganton 0.6 mi 7.2
Burke Middle College Morganton 1.8 mi 8.2
Salem Elementary Morganton 1.8 mi 7.8
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 3.9
Hillcrest Elementary Morganton 3.5 mi 4.4
Mountain View Elementary Morganton 3.9 mi 8.1
Freedom High Morganton 4.0 mi 5.2
New Dimensions Morganton 4.9 mi 7.1
Drexel Elementary Morganton 4.7 mi 8.0
Walter R Johnson Middle Morganton 5.5 mi 4.6
Hallyburton Academy Drexel 5.2 mi 5.5
W A Young Elementary Morganton 5.5 mi 6.6
Heritage Middle Valdese 6.3 mi 7.5
Burke Virtual Academy Valdese 6.3 mi
Table Rock Middle Morganton 6.6 mi 5.8
Glen Alpine Elementary Morganton 6.3 mi 6.9

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Gray Stone Day Misenheimer, NC 7.1
High Point Central High High Point, NC 7.1
Ledford Senior High Thomasville, NC 7.1
Montgomery Central High Troy, NC 7.1
North Moore High Robbins, NC 7.1
Oak Grove High Winston-Salem, NC 7.1

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 ranks #890 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Robert L. Patton High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Robert L. Patton High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 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 Robert L. Patton High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Robert L. Patton High School has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
11 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.1%
4-Year Graduation
96.0%

District

Burke County Schools
District Enrollment
11,690
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,261
District Rank
#8 of 26

How we rate schools

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