Average
#1537 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
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
524
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Valdese
#2 of 3
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,085 of 1,474
In district
#15 of 26
Burke County Schools
Equity
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Valdese Elementary
Valdese Elementary is a regular public school located in Valdese, North Carolina, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 524 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1, the school benefits from smaller class sizes that foster individual attention and support for each child. The dedicated staff includes 32 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to ensure every student receives the education they need.
Academically, Valdese Elementary has a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks at #1470 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it around the 45th percentile statewide. In terms of proficiency levels, 50% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 57% meet this mark in Math. The school is focusing on student development and has room for academic growth to help its learners achieve their full potential.
Valdese Elementary is situated in a mid-size suburb, providing a comfortable setting with easy access to community resources and amenities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Valdese Elementary — Students at Valdese Elementary score 56% 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 12 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: 5.5/10.
How Valdese Elementary Compares
See how Valdese Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 48% (2019) to 63.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 48.9% (2025).
Location
298 Praley Street, Valdese, NC 28690
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Valdese Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. George Hildebrand Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Connelly Springs), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mull Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Morganton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MORGANTON DAY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Morganton), 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 | 6.9 |
| Burke Virtual Academy Valdese | 1.2 mi | — |
| Jimmy C Draughn High School Valdese | 1.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Hallyburton Academy Drexel | 2.2 mi | 5.5 |
| CHRIST CLASSICAL ACADEMY Connelly Springs | 2.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Drexel Elementary Morganton | 2.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Baton Elementary Granite Falls | 4.6 mi | 7.7 |
| East Burke High Connelly Springs | 5.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Icard Elementary Connelly Springs | 5.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Mull Elementary Morganton | 6.0 mi | 8.5 |
| East Burke Middle Connelly Springs | 5.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Hillcrest Elementary Morganton | 6.1 mi | 7.4 |
| North Liberty Morganton | 6.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Liberty Middle Morganton | 6.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Robert L. Patton High School Morganton | 6.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Sawmills Elementary Granite Falls | 7.0 mi | 5.6 |
| George Hildebrand Elementary Connelly Springs | 8.1 mi | 8.7 |
| MORGANTON DAY SCHOOL Morganton | 6.9 mi | 8.1 |
| New Dimensions Morganton | 7.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Burke Middle College Morganton | 7.0 mi | 5.7 |
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 Valdese Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Cumberland Mills Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 6.1 |
| Easton Elementary School Winston-Salem, NC | 6.1 |
| Hopewell Elementary School Trinity, NC | 6.1 |
| Northeast Elementary Pikeville, NC | 6.1 |
| Rea View Elementary Waxhaw, NC | 6.1 |
| Roseboro Elementary Roseboro, NC | 6.1 |
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 is ranked #1537 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Valdese Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Valdese Elementary has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Valdese Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Valdese Elementary has 57.5% math proficiency and 50.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (828) 874-0704
- 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
- #15 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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