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Excellent

#434 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 16% in state

W a Young Elementary

Elementary School · Burke County Schools

325 Conley Road, Morganton, NC 28655

Enrollment

293

Student-Teacher

10.9:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Morganton

#3 of 18

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#389 of 1,474

In district

#5 of 26

Burke County Schools

School environment

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About W a Young Elementary

W A Young Elementary in Morganton, North Carolina, is a regular public elementary school serving students from pre-K through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 293 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.9:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child’s learning needs. The dedicated staff includes 27 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to provide a supportive educational environment.

According to MySchoolScout ratings, W A Young Elementary has an overall score of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks at #1185 among the state's 2661 schools, placing it in the 56th percentile. Academically, students perform well with 43% reaching proficiency or above in ELA/reading and 50% achieving proficiency or higher in math. While there is room for improvement, the school focuses on fostering student development and continuous learning.

Located in a mid-size suburb of Morganton, W A Young Elementary benefits from a close-knit community that supports its students' educational journey.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.78 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics6.8Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.5%
Math vs. State Avg-8.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.1 pts
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+5.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,845

W a Young Elementary — Students at W a Young Elementary score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 49.6%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 42.5%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
33%
ELA
35%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
55.6%
ELA
45.8%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How W a Young Elementary Compares

See how W a Young Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.0/10
84th percentile in NC
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Growth
8.3/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

Location

325 Conley Road, Morganton, NC 28655

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering W a Young Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mull Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 6.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Glen Alpine Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, MORGANTON DAY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 4.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Morganton, see our Morganton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Glen Alpine Elementary Morganton 0.9 mi 8.1
SILVERCREEK ADVENTIST SCHOOL Morganton 1.8 mi 5.9
Table Rock Middle Morganton 2.4 mi 6.0
Freedom High Morganton 3.1 mi 3.2
THE LEARNING CENTER Morganton 3.9 mi
Oak Hill Elementary Morganton 4.0 mi 5.6
Forest Hill Elementary Morganton 3.8 mi 5.1
Salem Elementary Morganton 4.0 mi 6.8
Mountain View Elementary Morganton 4.3 mi 7.2
NC School for the Deaf Morganton 4.3 mi 5.6
Burke Middle College Morganton 4.4 mi 5.7
MORGANTON DAY SCHOOL Morganton 4.6 mi 8.1
New Dimensions Morganton 5.8 mi 5.6
North Liberty Morganton 5.4 mi 6.3
Walter R Johnson Middle Morganton 5.9 mi 5.4
Liberty Middle Morganton 5.4 mi 7.0
Robert L. Patton High School Morganton 5.5 mi 6.4
Hillcrest Elementary Morganton 5.7 mi 7.4
Mull Elementary Morganton 6.1 mi 8.5
Drexel Elementary Morganton 9.1 mi 5.4

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 W a Young Elementary 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
Brier Creek Elementary Thomasville, NC 8.0
C C Spaulding Elementary Durham, NC 8.0
Claxton Elementary Asheville, NC 8.0
Greenlee Primary Spruce Pine, NC 8.0
Guilford eLearning University Prep Greensboro, NC 8.0
Hertford Grammar Hertford, NC 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about W a Young Elementary

What grades does W a Young Elementary serve?

W a Young Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend W a Young Elementary?

W a Young Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 293 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at W a Young Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at W a Young Elementary is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does W a Young Elementary rank in NC?

W a Young Elementary is ranked #434 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is W a Young Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

W a Young Elementary has a composite rating of 8.0 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 W a Young Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, W a Young Elementary has 49.6% math proficiency and 42.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is W a Young Elementary a charter school?

No, W a Young Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is W a Young Elementary a Title I school?

No, W a Young Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for W a Young Elementary?

99.0% of students at W a Young 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
3 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (926/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
293
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Burke County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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