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Average

#1534 of 2,648 schools in NC

Walter M Williams High

High School · Alamance-Burlington Schools

1307 S Church Street, Burlington, NC 27215

Enrollment

1,215

Student-Teacher

18.1:1

Score

5.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,534 of 2,648

In Burlington

#3 of 15

public schools

In district

#8 of 36

Alamance-Burlington Schools

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Walter M Williams High

5.9/10

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

Blessed Sacrament School

7.0/10

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

Turrentine Middle

2.5/10

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

About Walter M Williams High

Walter M Williams High is a public high school in Burlington, NC, part of Alamance-Burlington Schools. Walter M Williams High serves approximately 1,215 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Walter M Williams High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,534 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Walter M Williams High show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts above district
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • District avg 5.0
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

48% of students at Walter M Williams High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.6Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.71 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59.8% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.5% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+3.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.1 pts
Overall Proficiency55% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)60% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
College Readiness8.3Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate86%
AP Participation14.7%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,925
Chronic Absenteeism48.4%

Walter M Williams High — Students at Walter M Williams High score 55% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 48.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 56.9% (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
76%
ELA
74%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
89%
2012
Math
40%
ELA
53%
2013
Math
33%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
53%
2015
Math
41%
ELA
44%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
48%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
46%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
51%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
51%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
59%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
59%
2025
Math
59.8%
ELA
50.5%

* 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: 5.6/10.

How Walter M Williams High Compares

See how Walter M Williams High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
42th percentile in NC
Academic
6.2/10
Average
Growth
5.6/10
Average
Environment
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3
Sports
23
12 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
67 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered IB Programme
14.7% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·44 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics23sports offered
12 boys'·11 girls'·31 teams (incl. JV)·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

1307 S Church Street, Burlington, NC 27215

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Walter M Williams High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Ray Street Academy (rated 5.1/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Graham), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Hugh M Cummings High (rated 2.4/10, 3.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Burlington, see our Burlington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.9 mi
School Distance Rating
BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL Burlington 0.6 mi 7.0
Turrentine Middle Burlington 0.6 mi 2.5
Grove Park Elementary Burlington 0.7 mi 3.0
BURLINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Burlington 0.9 mi 6.9
Hillcrest Elementary Burlington 1.2 mi 3.0
THE BURLINGTON SCHOOL Burlington 1.2 mi 7.9
Marvin B Smith Elementary Burlington 1.6 mi 6.7
Alamance Virtual School Burlington 1.7 mi 5.3
PROVIDENCE, A CHRIST MON CO Burlington 1.9 mi 6.8
Harvey R Newlin Elementary Burlington 2.1 mi 4.0
Eastlawn Elementary Burlington 2.7 mi 3.8
POSITIVE DAY SCHOOL Burlington 2.8 mi
Elon Elementary Elon 3.2 mi 5.2
Broadview Middle Burlington 3.2 mi 3.4
CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Burlington 3.7 mi
Hugh M Cummings High Burlington 3.2 mi 2.4
Graham Middle Graham 3.6 mi 2.0
Ray Street Academy Graham 3.8 mi 5.1
South Graham Elementary Graham 4.2 mi 5.0
R Homer Andrews Elementary Burlington 3.9 mi 3.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27215 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,669

Median Home Value

$241,700

Median Rent

$1,112/mo

Population

45,967

College Educated

36.9%

Homeownership

61%

Avg Commute

23.7 min

Poverty Rate

10.7%

Median Age

41.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Currituck County High Barco, NC 5.9
Greene Central High Snow Hill, NC 5.9
Lee County High Sanford, NC 5.9
Northside High Jacksonville, NC 5.9
Spring Creek High Seven Springs, NC 5.9
West Johnston High Benson, NC 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Walter M Williams High

What grades does Walter M Williams High serve?

Walter M Williams High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Walter M Williams High?

Walter M Williams High has an enrollment of approximately 1,215 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Walter M Williams High?

The student-teacher ratio at Walter M Williams High is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Walter M Williams High rank in NC?

Walter M Williams High ranks #1,534 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Walter M Williams High's MySchoolScout rating?

Walter M Williams High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Walter M Williams High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Walter M Williams High has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Walter M Williams High a charter school?

No, Walter M Williams High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Walter M Williams High a Title I school?

No, Walter M Williams High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Walter M Williams High?

54.5% of students at Walter M Williams High 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
52 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,215
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
67
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Alamance County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.4%
4-Year Graduation
86.0%

District

Alamance-Burlington Schools
District Enrollment
22,477
Schools in District
38
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,925
District Rank
#8 of 36

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