Average
#1483 of 2,648 schools in NC
Valdese Elementary
Elementary School · Burke County Schools
298 Praley Street, Valdese, NC 28690
Enrollment
524
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
524
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,483 of 2,648
In Valdese
#3 of 3
public schools
In district
#16 of 26
Burke County Schools
Equity
8.4 / 10
Excellent
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Valdese Elementary
Elementary School in Valdese · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Heritage Middle
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Burke Virtual Academy
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Valdese Elementary
Valdese Elementary is a public elementary school in Valdese, NC, part of Burke County Schools. Valdese Elementary serves approximately 524 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Valdese Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,483 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Valdese Elementary show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.0 · Average
- District avg 6.4
- NC avg 6.4
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Valdese Elementary — Students at Valdese Elementary score 56% 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 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.6/10.
How Valdese Elementary Compares
See how Valdese Elementary 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
298 Praley Street, Valdese, NC 28690
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Valdese Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MORGANTON DAY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Morganton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Drexel Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Morganton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Icard Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Connelly Springs), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Valdese, see our Valdese schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Heritage Middle Valdese | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Burke Virtual Academy Valdese | 1.2 mi | — |
| Jimmy C Draughn High School Valdese | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Hallyburton Academy Drexel | 2.2 mi | 5.5 |
| CHRIST CLASSICAL ACADEMY Connelly Springs | 2.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Drexel Elementary Morganton | 2.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Baton Elementary Granite Falls | 4.6 mi | 6.0 |
| East Burke High Connelly Springs | 5.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Icard Elementary Connelly Springs | 5.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Mull Elementary Morganton | 6.0 mi | 7.2 |
| East Burke Middle Connelly Springs | 5.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Hillcrest Elementary Morganton | 6.1 mi | 4.4 |
| North Liberty Morganton | 6.4 mi | 2.9 |
| Liberty Middle Morganton | 6.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Robert L. Patton High School Morganton | 6.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Sawmills Elementary Granite Falls | 7.0 mi | 5.3 |
| George Hildebrand Elementary Connelly Springs | 8.1 mi | 6.8 |
| MORGANTON DAY SCHOOL Morganton | 6.9 mi | 8.1 |
| New Dimensions Morganton | 7.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Burke Middle College Morganton | 7.0 mi | 8.2 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Archer Elementary Greensboro, NC | 6.0 |
| Baton Elementary Granite Falls, NC | 6.0 |
| Cash Elementary Kernersville, NC | 6.0 |
| Ceasar Cone Elementary Greensboro, NC | 6.0 |
| Jones Intermediate Mount Airy, NC | 6.0 |
| Lakewood Elementary Durham, NC | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Valdese Elementary
What grades does Valdese Elementary serve?
Valdese Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Valdese Elementary?
Valdese Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 524 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Valdese Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Valdese Elementary 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 Valdese Elementary rank in NC?
Valdese Elementary ranks #1,483 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Valdese Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Valdese Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 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 Valdese Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Valdese Elementary has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Valdese Elementary a charter school?
No, Valdese Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Valdese Elementary a Title I school?
No, Valdese Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Valdese Elementary?
99.4% of students at Valdese Elementary 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 524
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Burke County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 13.4%
- Phone
- (828) 874-0704
Resources & Links
District
Burke County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,690
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,261
- District Rank
- #16 of 26
Other Schools in This District
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