The reported proficiency rate for English language arts is 25%.
Original Research by School Decision on Hallyburton Academy
Hallyburton Academy is a public alternative school in Drexel serving grades six through twelve. It is the only alternative option in Burke County Schools, positioned for students whose needs fall outside the traditional school environment.
The school is small. Enrollment sits at just above one hundred across seven grade levels, with the heaviest concentration in the upper grades. Nearly all students—a striking proportion—qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic circumstances of Hallyburton's student body and the broader Drexel area. The racial and ethnic composition is predominantly white, with a smaller Hispanic enrollment and representation across other groups.
Academically, Hallyburton sits well below grade-level benchmarks. In English language arts, the proficiency rate was in the low range on the state's end-of-grade tests. In mathematics, the proficiency rate was extremely low, with nearly no students meeting the standard. These results matter because they sketch the reality of the population this school serves: students arriving significantly below grade level, many carrying educational gaps, behavioral or engagement challenges, or learning support needs that led them to an alternative setting rather than a traditional school.
The role of an alternative school is fundamentally different from a conventional high school. Hallyburton's purpose is not to compete on standardized measures but to serve students for whom the traditional path has broken down—to provide structure, smaller class sizes, individualized attention, and academic recovery in a different format. A parent considering Hallyburton for a middle or high school student should understand that the school operates in this space: it is designed as a second chance, a reengagement tool, and a pathway for students who have struggled elsewhere.
A significant change is coming. Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, the district will relocate Hallyburton into a dedicated wing inside Draughn High School, converting it to a "school within a school" model while both schools retain separate identities. This restructuring will place Hallyburton students in closer physical proximity to a traditional high school setting, which may affect daily peer interaction, programming, and the feel of separation that alternative schools can provide. Parents whose students are currently at Hallyburton or considering enrollment should confirm directly with the school how this move will shape specific supports, scheduling, course offerings, and the degree of autonomy the alternative program will retain.
The district has also recently adopted two policy shifts worth noting for any family at Hallyburton. One commits classrooms to pen-and-paper as the primary learning mode, moving away from heavy device use and prioritizing printed materials and traditional instruction. The other formalizes parent input into library and curriculum material selection, giving families a structured voice in what their children encounter in classrooms. Both changes reflect district values that any parent enrolling at Hallyburton should be aware of.
Drexel itself is a small, quiet town in eastern Burke County centered on a modest downtown and undergoing active redevelopment around the old Drexel Furniture site. It is rural in feel, with a settled population and a long history as a furniture-manufacturing hub. The town is minutes from Morganton for shopping and services, and about an hour from larger regional job centers and healthcare. For a family choosing Hallyburton, the local economic and civic context is stable but modest, and the school is the only alternative option available in the district.
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