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J.I. Burton High

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

J.I. Burton High ranks 149 th of 331 Virginia high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Q: How many students attend J.I. Burton High?

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

Q: 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.

Q: What schools feed into J.I. Burton High?

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

Public Grades 8-12

149^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 331 Virginia High Schools

Better than 55% of Virginia high schools

Summary

J.I. Burton High is a small combined middle/high school in Norton, Virginia, serving 328 students in grades 8 through 12 as part of the Norton City Public Schools district. The school serves a student body with significant economic need — 99% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch — yet it achieves a 98.6% graduation rate and a 1.3% dropout rate, both far better than the state averages of 92.3% and 5.0%. Only Central High posts better dropout numbers among nearby schools.

J.I. Burton's strongest results come in math and science. Biology proficiency was 88.9% versus the 68.9% statewide average, and Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry all posted proficiency rates at or near 100%. The school also does exceptionally well for its student population: its low-income students rank in the 82nd percentile statewide, earning 4 stars. Among nearby schools, Central High, Union High, and Eastside High are the regional leaders, but J.I. Burton compares well in STEM and outpaces Rye Cove High and Castlewood High on nearly every measure.

The challenge is in the humanities. Writing proficiency is below the state average, and geography, world history, and reading all lag comparable schools. The school has also slipped from its 2021–2022 ranking of 23rd in Virginia (5 stars) to 149th in 2025–2026 (3 stars), with the decline most visible in literacy-related subjects. Chronic absenteeism has been volatile, but the most recent rate of 12.7% is below the state average and far better than Ridgeview High (31.4%) or Rye Cove High (26.9%). If J.I. Burton can improve its humanities instruction while maintaining its strong math, science, and graduation outcomes, it has the foundation to return to the top tier of Virginia high schools.

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: Declining — 74th percentile in 2016 → 55th in 2026

Strengths

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

✓Above the Virginia median (55th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 19 percentile points since 2016

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

!Geography scores 11 pts below the Virginia average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school77%

District avg77%

Virginia avg75%

Middle school

160^th of 416

Virginia public middle schools ?

Top 38%▼ down 3 pts since 2016

From top 35% (2016) to top 38% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

149^th of 331

Virginia public high schools ?

Top 45%▼ down 19 pts since 2016

From top 26% (2016) to top 45% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

31^st of 131Norton 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
2026	60.7	160 of 416	61.5%	★★★☆☆
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
2026	45.0	264 of 409	35.5%	★★☆☆☆
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
2026	69.4	93 of 401	76.8%	★★★★☆
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
2026	72.6	88 of 410	78.5%	★★★★☆
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
2026	43.2	251 of 400	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
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
2026	59.3	149 of 331	55.0%	★★★☆☆
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
2026	60.6	138 of 322	57.1%	★★★☆☆
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
2026	72.6	57 of 321	82.2%	★★★★☆
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
2026	56.0	154 of 325	52.6%	★★★☆☆
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
2026	45.2	207 of 312	33.7%	★★☆☆☆
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

Male (2026)79th percentile+17 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)77th percentile+15 vs school

White (2026)37th percentile-24 vs school

Female (2026)35th percentile-26 vs school

High school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)82nd percentile+27 vs school

Female (2026)57th percentile~ school

Male (2026)53rd percentile~ school

White (2026)34th percentile-21 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

Algebra II100%+6 vs state

Algebra I91%+7 vs state

Biology89%+12 vs state

English Reading83%~ state avg

Writing78%~ state avg

Earth Science76%~ state avg

Science70%+5 vs state

World History I67%-4 vs state

Mathematics64%+17 vs state

Geography59%-11 vs state

5.0

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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

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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 (2026)				Ranking (2025)				SOL Writing (2026)			SOL Geometry (2026)				SOL Algebra I (2026)					SOL Algebra II (2026)			SOL Mathematics (2026)	SOL Biology (2026)				SOL Science (2026)	SOL Earth Science (2026)					SOL English Reading (2026)				SOL Geography (2026)					SOL VA and US History (2026)			SOL World History I (2026)					SOL World History II (2026)	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 (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	SOL Writing 10th Grade	SOL Writing 11th Grade	SOL Writing 12th Grade	SOL Geometry 9th Grade	SOL Geometry 10th Grade	SOL Geometry 11th Grade	SOL Geometry 12th Grade	SOL Algebra I 8th Grade	SOL Algebra I 9th Grade	SOL Algebra I 10th Grade	SOL Algebra I 11th Grade	SOL Algebra I 12th Grade	SOL Algebra II 9th Grade	SOL Algebra II 10th Grade	SOL Algebra II 11th Grade	SOL Mathematics 8th Grade	SOL Biology 9th Grade	SOL Biology 10th Grade	SOL Biology 11th Grade	SOL Biology 12th Grade	SOL Science 8th Grade	SOL Earth Science 8th Grade	SOL Earth Science 9th Grade	SOL Earth Science 10th Grade	SOL Earth Science 11th Grade	SOL Earth Science 12th Grade	SOL English Reading 8th Grade	SOL English Reading 10th Grade	SOL English Reading 11th Grade	SOL English Reading 12th Grade	SOL Geography 8th Grade	SOL Geography 9th Grade	SOL Geography 10th Grade	SOL Geography 11th Grade	SOL Geography 12th Grade	SOL VA and US History 10th Grade	SOL VA and US History 11th Grade	SOL VA and US History 12th Grade	SOL World History I 8th Grade	SOL World History I 9th Grade	SOL World History I 10th Grade	SOL World History I 11th Grade	SOL World History I 12th Grade	SOL World History II 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%)	59.3	149^th of 331 public high schools	55.0%		61.2	138^th of 328 public high schools	57.9%	11		78.3	413.0	425.0				100.0	86.5	≥ 50%		≥ 50%	100.0			64.1	≥ 50%	88.9	< 50%	≥ 50%	70.2	≥ 50%	76.5	< 50%			78.7		86.4	426.0	63.8	423.0	45.5	< 50%	≥ 50%		365.0	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	66.7	< 50%	≥ 50%			$10,666	$00	$10,666
Central High	Public	9-12	5000 Warrior Drive	Norton	24273	Norton city	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%)	85.3	4^th of 331 public high schools	98.8%		83.4	7^th of 328 public high schools	97.9%	3	≥ 50%	88.4	≥ 50%	≥ 50%					98.1	432.0	405.0	≥ 50%	100.0				< 50%	91.6	416.0	≥ 50%								≥ 50%	94.1	438.0						< 50%	≥ 50%	≥ 50%		90.8	83.3	≥ 50%	≥ 50%		$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%)	80.1	24^th of 331 public high schools	92.7%		75.8	51^st of 328 public high schools	84.5%	27		96.6		≥ 50%		< 50%			88.4	≥ 50%	432.0	≥ 50%	93.9	≥ 50%			≥ 50%	89.1	≥ 50%									≥ 50%	93.4				< 50%			≥ 50%	≥ 50%			86.4	454.0	≥ 50%	< 50%		$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%)	77	43^rd of 331 public high schools	87.0%		66.6	109^th of 328 public high schools	66.8%	66		95.6		100.0	≥ 50%	≥ 50%			92.3	425.0	≥ 50%	≥ 50%						85.7	≥ 50%	≥ 50%				389.0	396.0				90.0	464.0		370.0	54.6	< 50%	< 50%		53.9	< 50%		81.0	≥ 50%	< 50%			$10,913	$26	$10,887
Wise Correctional Center Unit #18	Public	11-12	3602 Bear Lane	Coeburn	24230	Wise County	Virginia Department of Corrections	No	No	(n/a)	(n/a)	(540) 395-2384																			(n/a)
Wallen's Ridge Correctional Center	Public	11-12	272 Dogwood Dr.	Big Stone Gap	24219	Wise County	Virginia Department of Corrections	No	No	(n/a)	(n/a)	(276) 523-3310																			(n/a)
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%)	28.2	291^st of 331 public high schools	12.1%		61.3	137^th of 328 public high schools	58.2%	154					≥ 50%			447.0	62.0	≥ 50%	≥ 50%					68.9		63.6	399.0		61.5		< 50%				79.2		82.5	456.0	≥ 50%	68.0	423.0	399.0			381.0				< 50%				$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%)	61.7	134^th of 331 public high schools	59.5%		71.6	79^th of 328 public high schools	75.9%	55				< 50%				≥ 50%	89.1	< 50%					≥ 50%	72.6		79.6	≥ 50%		67.9		100.0		< 50%	≥ 50%	72.2		86.5	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	63.6	418.0	≥ 50%	443.0		413.0								$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%)	41.7	237^th of 331 public high schools	28.4%		54.6	171^st of 328 public high schools	47.9%	66				40.4	≥ 50%		< 50%	90.9	429.0	≥ 50%		≥ 50%				25.0		66.0	< 50%	≥ 50%	56.4		77.4	≥ 50%	< 50%	≥ 50%	58.2		89.3	≥ 50%	41.4	392.0	≥ 50%		≥ 50%		388.0	≥ 50%							$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%)	56.4	168^th of 331 public high schools	49.2%		56.9	164^th of 328 public high schools	50.0%	4				93.8	< 50%				86.0	420.0	≥ 50%	≥ 50%						85.6	≥ 50%	445.0						< 50%		≥ 50%	84.0								374.0	< 50%		60.8	389.0		≥ 50%	367.0	$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 149^th of 331 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

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Latest Virginia data All new data »

2025–26 SOL test scoresAug 25, 2026

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

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.