Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

J.I. Burton High

Q: Is J.I. Burton High a good school?

J.I. Burton High ranks 138 th of 328 Virginia high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 8-12

138^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 328 Virginia High Schools

Better than 58% of Virginia high schools

Summary

J.I. Burton High is a public high school in Norton, Virginia, serving grades 8-12 with a total enrollment of 316 students. The school is part of the Norton City Public Schools district, which is ranked 30 out of 129 districts in Virginia and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

J.I. Burton High has consistently ranked among the top high schools in Virginia, with a statewide ranking as high as 23 out of 325 schools in the 2021-2022 school year. The school's performance on SOL (Standards of Learning) tests is generally strong, with several subject areas showing a higher percentage of students proficient or better compared to the state and district averages. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, J.I. Burton High had 100% proficiency in Geometry for 9th grade and Algebra I for 8th grade, significantly outperforming the state and district averages. The school also excels in subjects like Biology, Earth Science, and English Reading, with proficiency rates above 80%. Additionally, J.I. Burton High has maintained a high four-year graduation rate, ranging from 91.9% to 92.8% in recent years, which is on par with or slightly higher than the state average.

Despite serving a high percentage of students from low-income backgrounds, with 91.64% to 98.42% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch in recent years, J.I. Burton High has been able to achieve academic success, as evidenced by its high rankings and strong performance on standardized tests. When compared to the nearby schools, such as Castlewood High, Ridgeview High, and Rye Cove High, J.I. Burton High generally outperforms its counterparts in terms of academic performance, graduation rates, and student-teacher ratio, making it a standout institution in the region.

328

Students ?

13.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,666

Per pupil spending ?

99.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

109 11th St
Norton, VA 24273

(276) 679-2554

District: Norton City Public Schools

Feeder schools for J.I. Burton High:

Elementary:

Norton Elementary

Racial breakdown:

White:

86.3%

Two or more races:

6.1%

African American:

4.6%

See top rated Virginia high schools

Compare J.I. Burton High to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 61st percentile in 2015 → 58th in 2025

Strengths

✓99% graduate in 4 years — above the Virginia average (92%)

✓Above the Virginia median (58th percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!World History I scores 19 pts below the Virginia average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school79%

District avg79%

Virginia avg75%

Middle school

125^th of 419

Virginia public middle schools ?

Top 30%▲ up 52 pts since 2015

From bottom 18% (2015) to top 30% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

138^th of 328

Virginia public high schools ?

Top 42%▼ down 3 pts since 2015

See the entire ranking list of Virginia High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

30^th of 129Norton City Public Schools among Virginia districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	68.2	125 of 419	70.2%	★★★★☆
2024	77.3	73 of 417	82.5%	★★★★☆
2023	84.1	30 of 422	92.9%	★★★★★
2022	75.5	62 of 415	85.1%	★★★★☆
2021	86.4	16 of 419	96.2%	★★★★★
2019	52.0	212 of 424	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	49.4	207 of 413	49.9%	★★★☆☆
2017	25.2	345 of 415	16.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	58.9	144 of 409	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2015	26.3	339 of 412	17.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	42.7	234 of 416	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2013	36.2	277 of 416	33.4%	★★☆☆☆
2012	21.4	373 of 413	9.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	52.4	186 of 413	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2010	31.9	325 of 408	20.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	42.4	247 of 390	36.7%	★★☆☆☆
2008	49.1	210 of 391	46.3%	★★☆☆☆
2007	45.7	233 of 387	39.8%	★★☆☆☆
2006	27.1	331 of 383	13.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	24.6	319 of 340	6.2%	☆☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	76.4	60 of 403	85.1%	★★★★☆
2024	71.5	102 of 407	74.9%	★★★★☆
2023	76.6	75 of 411	81.8%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	83.5	36 of 403	91.1%	★★★★★
2024	87.3	21 of 402	94.8%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	49.6	211 of 404	47.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	83.3	29 of 407	92.9%	★★★★★
2023	88.1	15 of 409	96.3%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	47.7	230 of 400	42.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	69.3	98 of 396	75.3%	★★★★☆
2023	73.0	77 of 402	80.8%	★★★★☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	61.2	138 of 328	57.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	73.4	62 of 329	81.2%	★★★★☆
2023	72.4	68 of 326	79.1%	★★★★☆
2022	75.1	23 of 325	92.9%	★★★★★
2021	67.5	38 of 327	88.4%	★★★★☆
2019	56.6	111 of 327	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	55.7	118 of 326	63.8%	★★★☆☆
2017	63.3	73 of 324	77.5%	★★★★☆
2016	61.7	84 of 321	73.8%	★★★★☆
2015	52.7	126 of 322	60.9%	★★★☆☆
2014	63.0	70 of 322	78.3%	★★★★☆
2013	41.6	197 of 321	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2012	44.8	194 of 321	39.6%	★★☆☆☆
2011	52.9	141 of 320	55.9%	★★★☆☆
2010	60.6	91 of 317	71.3%	★★★★☆
2009	49.5	151 of 313	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2008	41.5	211 of 316	33.2%	★★☆☆☆
2007	42.5	200 of 313	36.1%	★★☆☆☆
2006	50.3	144 of 314	54.1%	★★★☆☆
2005	42.5	206 of 308	33.1%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	57.4	149 of 321	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	75.4	45 of 322	86.0%	★★★★☆
2023	71.0	76 of 320	76.3%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	68.1	84 of 324	74.1%	★★★★☆
2024	84.8	18 of 320	94.4%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	63.1	119 of 322	63.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	75.4	56 of 322	82.6%	★★★★☆
2023	81.3	19 of 321	94.1%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	44.6	213 of 313	31.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	67.2	87 of 314	72.3%	★★★★☆
2023	61.6	116 of 315	63.2%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Middle school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)91st percentile+21 vs school

Female (2025)85th percentile+15 vs school

Male (2025)48th percentile-22 vs school

White (2025)42nd percentile-28 vs school

High school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)74th percentile+16 vs school

Male (2025)63rd percentile+5 vs school

Female (2025)54th percentile-4 vs school

White (2025)32nd percentile-26 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2024-2025) ?

Geometry100%+15 vs state

Algebra I94%+9 vs state

Biology85%+15 vs state

English Reading84%+3 vs state

Geography83%+14 vs state

Earth Science80%+7 vs state

Mathematics76%+26 vs state

Writing74%-6 vs state

Science64%~ state avg

World History I48%-19 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Rate J.I. Burton High

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, September 3, 2021

John I Burton is a small school in rural southwest Virginia. The teachers care about the students and develop personal relationships with them. The leadership is invested in the success of the students above all else. Both of my children excel in this environment. Close Quote

Schools Near J.I. Burton High

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				SOL Writing (2025)	SOL Geometry (2025)	SOL Algebra I (2025)			SOL Algebra II (2025)	SOL Mathematics (2025)	SOL Biology (2025)	SOL Science (2025)	SOL Earth Science (2025)	SOL English Reading (2025)		SOL Geography (2025)		SOL VA and US History (2025)	SOL World History I (2025)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	SOL Writing 11th Grade	SOL Geometry 9th Grade	SOL Algebra I 8th Grade	SOL Algebra I 9th Grade	SOL Algebra I 10th Grade	SOL Algebra II 9th Grade	SOL Mathematics 8th Grade	SOL Biology 10th Grade	SOL Science 8th Grade	SOL Earth Science 9th Grade	SOL English Reading 8th Grade	SOL English Reading 11th Grade	SOL Geography 8th Grade	SOL Geography 9th Grade	SOL VA and US History 11th Grade	SOL World History I 9th Grade	SOL World History I 10th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
J.I. Burton High	Public	8-12	109 11th St	Norton	24273	Norton city	Norton City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(276) 679-2554	328	24	13.6	99.1%	283 (86.3%)	15 (4.6%)	9 (2.7%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (6.1%)	61.2	138^th of 328 public high schools	57.9%		73.4	62^nd of 329 public high schools	81.2%	76	73.8	100.0	100.0	91.8			76.3	85.5	64.2	80.3	77.8	88.7	83.3			47.5		$10,666	$00	$10,666
Central High	Public	9-12	5000 Warrior Drive	Norton	24273	Wise County	Wise County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(276) 328-8015	676	41	16.5	90.7%	630 (93.2%)	9 (1.3%)	16 (2.4%)	7 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	13 (1.9%)	83.4	7^th of 328 public high schools	97.9%		83.3	10^th of 329 public high schools	97.0%	3	91.7			97.2		95.8		91.0				93.5				83.6		$7,877	$238	$7,639
Union High	Public	9-12	322 Powell Valley Road	Big Stone Gap	24219	Wise County	Wise County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(276) 523-1290	564	37	15.1	90.6%	512 (90.8%)	24 (4.3%)	12 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (2.8%)	75.8	51^st of 328 public high schools	84.5%		74.8	55^th of 329 public high schools	83.3%	4	96.0			88.7		95.5		86.5				89.3				80.1		$9,170	$04	$9,166
Eastside High	Public	9-12	314 School House Hill Dr	Coeburn	24230	Wise County	Wise County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(276) 395-3389	418	26	15.8	88.3%	402 (96.2%)	3 (0.7%)	5 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (1.9%)	66.6	109^th of 328 public high schools	66.8%		75.8	49^th of 329 public high schools	85.1%	60	96.5	97.1		95.8	53.9			80.9				86.9		58.3		64.8		$10,913	$26	$10,887
Rye Cove High	Public	8-12	164 Eagles Nest Lane	Duffield	24244	Scott County	Scott County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(276) 940-2701	292	25	11.7	78.4%	272 (93.2%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (4.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.4%)	61.3	137^th of 328 public high schools	58.2%		73.4	63^rd of 329 public high schools	80.9%	74				88.0			69.8	76.6	69.1		70.9	92.9		64.0				$9,541	$635	$8,906
Twin Springs High	Public	8-12	273 Titan Lane	Nickelsville	24271	Scott County	Scott County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(276) 479-2185	242	24	9.9	78.5%	221 (91.3%)	2 (0.8%)	15 (6.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.7%)	71.6	79^th of 328 public high schools	75.9%		69.1	93^rd of 329 public high schools	71.7%	14				95.5			59.3	92.3	60.4	88.0	64.8	84.6		81.4				$11,901	$796	$11,105
Castlewood High	Public	8-12	304 Blue Devil Circle	Castlewood	24224	Russell County	Russell County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(276) 762-9449	285	19	14.9	91.2%	275 (96.5%)	3 (1.1%)	3 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.4%)	54.6	171^st of 328 public high schools	47.9%		46.3	220^th of 329 public high schools	33.1%	49		69.8	86.0					72.7	65.3	95.9	61.2	86.9	70.6					$9,509	$659	$8,850
Ridgeview High	Public	9-12	310 Wolfpack Way	Clintwood	24228	Dickenson County	Dickenson County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(276) 835-1600	548	56	9.8	97.8%	528 (96.4%)	9 (1.6%)	4 (0.7%)	2 (0.4%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.5%)	56.9	164^th of 328 public high schools	50.0%		64.6	121^st of 329 public high schools	63.2%	43		84.9		91.4				80.4				84.0		52.6	40.7	64.2	53.9	$13,618	$339	$13,279

Frequently Asked Questions about J.I. Burton High

What is the racial makeup of J.I. Burton High?

Students at J.I. Burton High are 86% White, 6% Two or more races, 5% African American, 3% Hispanic.

What schools feed into J.I. Burton High?

J.I. Burton High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Norton Elementary

Is J.I. Burton High a good school?

J.I. Burton High ranks 138^th of 328 Virginia high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend J.I. Burton High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 328 students attended J.I. Burton High.

What district is J.I. Burton High in?

Norton City Public Schools

Rate J.I. Burton High!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

VAVirginia High School Rankings

VAVirginia District Rankings

Schools in Norton, VA

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for J.I. Burton High!

Latest Virginia data All new data »

2021–22 school spending dataFeb 16, 2026

2022–23 through 2023–24 school spending dataFeb 10, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJan 6, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataSep 2, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Virginia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.