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Average

#308 of 451 schools in ND

Burke Central High School

High School · BURKE CENTRAL 36

PO Box 91, Lignite, ND 58752

Enrollment

37

Student-Teacher

7.4:1

Score

5.6

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lignite

#2 of 2

public schools

North Dakota high schools

#109 of 155

In district

#2 of 2

BURKE CENTRAL 36

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Burke Central High School

Burke Central High School is a small rural high school located in Lignite, North Dakota. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 37 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 7.4:1 with five full-time equivalent teachers. Set in a remote area, Burke Central High offers a close-knit community atmosphere where each student can receive individual attention.

While the MySchoolScout rating for academic performance is currently at 4.1 out of 10 and the state ranking sits at #355 out of 457 schools (22nd percentile), the school focuses on student development and growth. In terms of test scores, 35% of students are proficient in ELA/Reading, while 45% meet proficiency standards in Math. Burke Central High School provides a supportive environment where students can thrive in a rural setting that values close relationships between teachers and learners.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 37 students, Burke Central High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.4:1, Burke Central High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Burke Central High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.53 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected-11.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,888

Burke Central High School — Students at Burke Central High School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores ND EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 34.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from ND state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
75%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
30%

* 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: 2.5/10.

How Burke Central High School Compares

See how Burke Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
32th percentile in ND
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
2.5/10
Below average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
7:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

PO Box 91, Lignite, ND 58752

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Burke Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. POWERS LAKE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 22.0 miles away, in nearby Powers Lake), which scores notably higher. Another option is TIOGA HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 37.2 miles away, in nearby Tioga), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BOWBELLS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.3/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Bowbells), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lignite, see our Lignite schools guide .

Nearby Schools

9 within 37.2 mi
School Distance Rating
BURKE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lignite 0.0 mi 9.7
POWERS LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Powers Lake 22.0 mi 6.2
POWERS LAKE HIGH SCHOOL Powers Lake 22.0 mi 8.4
BOWBELLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bowbells 15.2 mi 4.7
BOWBELLS HIGH SCHOOL Bowbells 15.2 mi 5.3
KENMARE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kenmare 25.8 mi 6.4
KENMARE HIGH SCHOOL Kenmare 26.4 mi 4.5
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tioga 37.1 mi 5.0
TIOGA HIGH SCHOOL Tioga 37.2 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 58752 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,344

Median Home Value

$123,200

Median Rent

$728/mo

Population

347

College Educated

22.5%

Homeownership

61.1%

Poverty Rate

2.3%

Median Age

44.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Burke Central High School has a median household income of $87,344. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $123,200, with a median rent of $728/month. The local poverty rate of 2.3% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL Dickinson, ND 5.4
NEWBURG-UNITED HIGH SCHOOL Newburg, ND 5.8
BOWBELLS HIGH SCHOOL Bowbells, ND 5.3
MINOT PUBLIC SCHOOLS 9-12 VIRTUAL ACADEMY Minot, ND 5.2
MADDOCK HIGH SCHOOL Maddock, ND 6.4
NORTH BORDER-PEMBINA HIGH SCHOOL Pembina, ND 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Burke Central High School

What grades does Burke Central High School serve?

Burke Central High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Burke Central High School?

Burke Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 37 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Burke Central High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Burke Central High School is 7.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Burke Central High School rank in ND?

Burke Central High School is ranked #308 out of 451 schools in ND.

What is Burke Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Burke Central High School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Burke Central High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Burke Central High School has 45.0% math proficiency and 34.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Burke Central High School a charter school?

No, Burke Central High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Burke Central High School a Title I school?

No, Burke Central High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Burke Central High School?

32.4% of students at Burke Central High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

10 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
37
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Burke County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

BURKE CENTRAL 36
District Enrollment
89
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$28,855
District Rank
#2 of 2

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 methodology

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