Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0Drexel’s public schools outscore 56% of North Carolina districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Drexel, 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.
Drexel’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 337 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Drexel’s, its schools beat 63%, higher than their 56% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 50% and math 54% in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,539 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then five middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓
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 Drexel’s grade
B: better than 56% of North Carolina school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the North Carolina average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Drexel, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Drexel
Drexel Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 477 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Morganton
Kindergarten in Drexel
Drexel Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 477 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Morganton
1st grade in Drexel
Drexel Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 477 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Morganton
2nd grade in Drexel
Drexel Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 477 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Morganton
3rd grade in Drexel
Drexel Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 477 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Morganton
4th grade in Drexel
Drexel Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 477 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Morganton
5th grade in Drexel
Drexel Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 477 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Morganton
Drexel’s public schools are run by Burke County Schools, which also serves Connelly Springs, Glen Alpine, Hildebran and Morganton and others. 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.
Close to the state in reading
Drexel vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Drexel’s borders.
Every school in Drexel
11 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).
Questions about Drexel’s schools
Are Drexel’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of North Carolina: the public schools Drexel children attend outscore 56% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 63%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Drexel in?
Burke County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 11,667 students in 26 schools (2024–25).
Where do Drexel kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Freedom High, East Burke High, Patton High School and Draughn High School.
What is Drexel’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in Burke County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Drexel spend per student?
$12,539 in Burke County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Drexel families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Drexel → 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.