Average
#1930 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
5.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
439
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
5.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Morganton
#15 of 18
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#321 of 475
In district
#21 of 26
Burke County Schools
About Walter R Johnson Middle
Walter R Johnson Middle in Morganton, North Carolina is a regular public middle school serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 439 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1, the school aims to provide individualized attention to each student. The dedicated teaching staff includes 30 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students' educational needs.
Academically, Walter R Johnson Middle has room for growth, as evidenced by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and state ranking of #2139 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it in the 20th percentile. In English Language Arts (ELA)/Reading, 36% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, that number is slightly higher at 43%. These scores highlight areas where the school is focusing on student development and improvement.
The school is situated in a small city setting within Burke County, offering its students access to local resources and community activities. Walter R Johnson Middle continues to strive for excellence and provides a supportive environment for middle schoolers as they navigate this important phase of their education.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Walter R Johnson Middle — Students at Walter R Johnson Middle score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
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: 4.6/10.
How Walter R Johnson Middle Compares
See how Walter R Johnson Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 48.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 34.6% (2025).
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. Liberty Middle (rated 7.0/10, 5.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Heritage Middle (rated 6.9/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Valdese), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Table Rock Middle (rated 6.0/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 5.6 |
| Mountain View Elementary Morganton | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Hillcrest Elementary Morganton | 2.1 mi | 7.4 |
| MORGANTON DAY SCHOOL Morganton | 2.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Freedom High Morganton | 2.9 mi | 3.2 |
| Forest Hill Elementary Morganton | 3.4 mi | 5.1 |
| NC School for the Deaf Morganton | 3.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Burke Middle College Morganton | 3.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Oak Hill Elementary Morganton | 3.6 mi | 5.6 |
| North Liberty Morganton | 5.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Liberty Middle Morganton | 5.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Robert L. Patton High School Morganton | 5.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Table Rock Middle Morganton | 4.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Mull Elementary Morganton | 5.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Salem Elementary Morganton | 6.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Drexel Elementary Morganton | 5.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Hallyburton Academy Drexel | 5.2 mi | 5.5 |
| W A Young Elementary Morganton | 5.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Glen Alpine Elementary Morganton | 6.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Heritage Middle Valdese | 6.4 mi | 6.9 |
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 Walter R Johnson Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Corriher Lipe Middle Landis, NC | 5.4 |
| Dillard Middle Goldsboro, NC | 5.4 |
| Forbush Middle East Bend, NC | 5.4 |
| Mill Creek Middle Claremont, NC | 5.4 |
| Orrum Middle Orrum, NC | 5.4 |
| Paisley IB Magnet School Winston-Salem, NC | 5.4 |
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 is ranked #1930 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Walter R Johnson Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Walter R Johnson Middle has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Walter R Johnson Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Walter R Johnson Middle has 43.1% math proficiency and 35.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (926/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (828) 430-7340
- 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
- #21 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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