Photo: Ak1047 · CC BY-SA 4.0Burlington’s public schools score below 66% of North Carolina districts on tests and graduation
39% of students in Burlington’s public schools are proficient in reading, below the North Carolina average (50%). The grade covers the public school district serving Burlington, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.
From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Burlington’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 325 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Burlington’s, its schools beat 22%, lower than their 34% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 39% of tested students were proficient in reading and 41% in math, against 50% and 51% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
85% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $11,818 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Seven elementary schools, then two middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Burlington Christian Academy (private), The Burlington School (private), Blessed Sacrament School (private), Providence, A Christ Mon Co (private) and Burbrella Microschool (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Burlington’s grade
C: better than 34% of North Carolina school districts, #247 of 290 North Carolina towns. Both inputs trail the North Carolina average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Burlington, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Burlington · depends on your address
Turrentine Middle
Grades 6–8 · 739 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Broadview Middle
Grades 6–8 · 512 students · 18:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Burlington · depends on your address
Turrentine Middle
Grades 6–8 · 739 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Broadview Middle
Grades 6–8 · 512 students · 18:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Burlington · depends on your address
Turrentine Middle
Grades 6–8 · 739 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Broadview Middle
Grades 6–8 · 512 students · 18:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Burlington · depends on your address
Walter M Williams High
Grades 9–12 · 1,206 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Hugh M Cummings High
Grades 9–12 · 807 students · 20:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Burlington · depends on your address
Walter M Williams High
Grades 9–12 · 1,206 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Hugh M Cummings High
Grades 9–12 · 807 students · 20:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Burlington · depends on your address
Walter M Williams High
Grades 9–12 · 1,206 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Hugh M Cummings High
Grades 9–12 · 807 students · 20:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Burlington · depends on your address
Walter M Williams High
Grades 9–12 · 1,206 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Hugh M Cummings High
Grades 9–12 · 807 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Burlington’s public schools are run by Alamance-Burlington Schools, which also serves Alamance, Elon, Gibsonville and Graham and others. Parts of Burlington (7% of its land) are served by Guilford County Schools instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Burlington vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Burlington’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington | C | Alamance-Burlington Schools |
| Graham | C | Alamance-Burlington Schools |
| Elon | C | Alamance-Burlington Schools |
| Gibsonville | B− | Guilford County Schools PK–12 · Alamance-Burlington Schools PK–12 |
| Haw River | C | Alamance-Burlington Schools |
| Whitsett | — | Guilford County Schools |
4 of the 5 neighbors share Alamance-Burlington Schools with Burlington, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Burlington
16 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Career and Technical Education Center).
Questions about Burlington’s schools
Are Burlington’s schools good?
On North Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Burlington children attend score below 66% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #247 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 22%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Burlington in?
Alamance-Burlington Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 22,661 students in 37 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Burlington are served by Guilford County Schools.
Where do Burlington kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Walter M Williams High and Hugh M Cummings High.
What is Burlington’s graduation rate?
85% of the class of 2023 in Alamance-Burlington Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Burlington spend per student?
$11,818 in Alamance-Burlington Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Burlington?
Yes: Burlington Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 878 students), The Burlington School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 412 students), Blessed Sacrament School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 295 students), Providence, A Christ Mon Co (religious, grades PK–12, 84 students) and Burbrella Microschool (nonsectarian, grades K–5, 10 students).
Parents talk
What Burlington families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Burlington → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.