For the 2024 school year, there are 19 public schools serving 8,074 students in Rutherford County, NC (there are 6 private schools, serving 400 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Rutherford County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Rutherford County, NC are Rutherford Early College High School, Sunshine Elementary School and Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Rutherford County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 43% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 42%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Rutherford County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 29% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 55% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Rutherford County (2024)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Rutherford Early College High School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 80-89% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
286 Icc Loop Road
Spindale, NC 28160
(828) 288-2202
Spindale, NC 28160
(828) 288-2202
Grades: 9-13
| 192 students
Rank: #22.
Sunshine Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
231 Toney Road
Bostic, NC 28018
(828) 245-0658
Bostic, NC 28018
(828) 245-0658
Grades: PK-5
| 192 students
Rank: #33.
Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2785 Hudlow Road
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 287-4792
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 287-4792
Grades: K-5
| 215 students
Rank: #44.
Chase High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1603 Chase High Rd
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-5883
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-5883
Grades: 9-12
| 673 students
Rank: #55.
East Rutherford High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
331 East High Rd
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-6424
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-6424
Grades: 9-12
| 685 students
Rank: #66.
Lake Lure Classical Academy
Charter School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1058 Island Creek Rd.
Lake Lure, NC 28746
(828) 625-9292
Lake Lure, NC 28746
(828) 625-9292
Grades: K-12
| 502 students
Rank: #77.
Harris Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3330 Us 221 S Hwy
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 248-2354
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 248-2354
Grades: PK-5
| 454 students
Rank: #88.
R-s Central High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
641 Hwy 221 North
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 287-3304
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 287-3304
Grades: 9-12
| 769 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Cliffside Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4016 Us Hwy 221-a
Cliffside, NC 28024
(828) 288-2235
Cliffside, NC 28024
(828) 288-2235
Grades: K-5
| 208 students
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Forrest W. Hunt Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
100 Forrest Hunt Drive
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-2161
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-2161
Grades: PK-5
| 369 students
Rank: #1111.
Ellenboro Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
813 Piney Mountain Church Rd
Ellenboro, NC 28040
(828) 453-8185
Ellenboro, NC 28040
(828) 453-8185
Grades: PK-5
| 610 students
Rank: #1212.
Rutherfordton Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
201 Bob Hardin Road
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 287-3778
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 287-3778
Grades: PK-5
| 383 students
Rank: #1313.
Forest City-dunbar Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
286 Learning Parkway
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-4978
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-4978
Grades: PK-5
| 470 students
Rank: #1414.
Chase Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
840 Chase High Rd
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 247-1043
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 247-1043
Grades: 6-8
| 517 students
Rank: #1515.
R-s Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
545 Charlotte Rd
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 286-4461
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 286-4461
Grades: 6-8
| 603 students
Rank: #1616.
East Rutherford Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
259 East Church Street
Bostic, NC 28018
(828) 245-3750
Bostic, NC 28018
(828) 245-3750
Grades: 6-8
| 543 students
Rank: #1717.
Pinnacle Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1204 Painters Gap Road
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 287-3440
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 287-3440
Grades: PK-5
| 233 students
Rank: #1818.
Spindale Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
161 N Oak St
Spindale, NC 28160
(828) 286-2861
Spindale, NC 28160
(828) 286-2861
Grades: PK-5
| 361 students
Rank: #1919.
Rutherford Opportunity Center
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
140 Old Caroleen Road
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 248-5294
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 248-5294
Grades: 6-12
| 95 students
Rutherford County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Carver Center (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
900 Carver St
Spindale, NC 28160
(828) 286-3901
Spindale, NC 28160
(828) 286-3901
Grades: PK
| 206 students
140 Old Carolean Road
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-5230
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-5230
Grades: K-2
| 243 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Rutherford County, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Rutherford County, NC include Rutherford Early College High School, Sunshine Elementary School and Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Rutherford County, NC?
19 public schools are located in Rutherford County, NC.
What percentage of students in Rutherford County, NC go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Rutherford County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Rutherford County, NC?
Rutherford County, NC public schools minority enrollment is 29% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 55% (majority Black).
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