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Below Average

#2154 of 2,648 schools in NC

Walter R Johnson Middle

Middle School · Burke County Schools

701 Lenoir Road, Morganton, NC 28655

Enrollment

439

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

4.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,154 of 2,648

In Morganton

#15 of 18

public schools

In district

#23 of 26

Burke County Schools

School environment

8.3 / 10

Excellent

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Walter R Johnson Middle

4.6/10

Middle School in Morganton · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

New Dimensions

7.1/10

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

Mountain View Elementary

8.1/10

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

About Walter R Johnson Middle

Walter R Johnson Middle is a public middle school in Morganton, NC, part of Burke County Schools. Walter R Johnson Middle serves approximately 439 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Walter R Johnson Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #2,154 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Walter R Johnson Middle show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • NC avg 5.7

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.76 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48.1% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.6% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-9.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.6 pts
Overall Proficiency41% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,261
Chronic Absenteeism18.5%

Walter R Johnson Middle — Students at Walter R Johnson Middle score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 49.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 44.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 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
87%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
89%
ELA
71%
2011
Math
86%
ELA
71%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
43%
2013
Math
48%
ELA
44%
2014
Math
44%
ELA
46%
2015
Math
45%
ELA
48%
2016
Math
48%
ELA
38%
2017
Math
48%
ELA
40%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
41%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
41%
2020*
Math
28%
ELA
34%
2021*
Math
28%
ELA
34%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
35.3%
2025
Math
48.4%
ELA
34.6%

* 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: 2.0/10.

How Walter R Johnson Middle Compares

See how Walter R Johnson Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
19th percentile in NC
Academic
4.8/10
Below Average
Growth
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.3/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.5%

Programs & Offerings

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 Lenoir Road, Morganton, NC 28655

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Walter R Johnson Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Heritage Middle (rated 7.5/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Valdese), which scores notably higher. Another option is Liberty Middle (rated 6.6/10, 5.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Table Rock Middle (rated 5.8/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Morganton, see our Morganton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.4 mi
School Distance Rating
New Dimensions Morganton 0.6 mi 7.1
Mountain View Elementary Morganton 1.9 mi 8.1
Hillcrest Elementary Morganton 2.1 mi 4.4
MORGANTON DAY SCHOOL Morganton 2.7 mi 8.1
Freedom High Morganton 2.9 mi 5.2
Forest Hill Elementary Morganton 3.4 mi 3.9
NC School for the Deaf Morganton 3.5 mi 5.6
Burke Middle College Morganton 3.9 mi 8.2
Oak Hill Elementary Morganton 3.6 mi 4.6
North Liberty Morganton 5.1 mi 2.9
Liberty Middle Morganton 5.2 mi 6.6
Robert L. Patton High School Morganton 5.5 mi 7.1
Table Rock Middle Morganton 4.7 mi 5.8
Mull Elementary Morganton 5.5 mi 7.2
Salem Elementary Morganton 6.0 mi 7.8
Drexel Elementary Morganton 5.1 mi 8.0
Hallyburton Academy Drexel 5.2 mi 5.5
W A Young Elementary Morganton 5.9 mi 6.6
Glen Alpine Elementary Morganton 6.2 mi 6.9
Heritage Middle Valdese 6.4 mi 7.5

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
Bessemer City Middle Bessemer City, NC 4.6
Butner-Stem Middle Butner, NC 4.6
E Lawson Brown Middle Thomasville, NC 4.6
Erwin Middle Asheville, NC 4.6
Havelock Middle Havelock, NC 4.6
Rochelle Middle Kinston, NC 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Walter R Johnson Middle

What grades does Walter R Johnson Middle serve?

Walter R Johnson Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Walter R Johnson Middle?

Walter R Johnson Middle has an enrollment of approximately 439 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Walter R Johnson Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Walter R Johnson Middle is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Walter R Johnson Middle rank in NC?

Walter R Johnson Middle ranks #2,154 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Walter R Johnson Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Walter R Johnson Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 R Johnson Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Walter R Johnson Middle has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Walter R Johnson Middle a charter school?

No, Walter R Johnson Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Walter R Johnson Middle a Title I school?

No, Walter R Johnson Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Walter R Johnson Middle?

99.3% of students at Walter R Johnson Middle 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
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
12 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
439
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Burke County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.5%

District

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

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