Polk County Schools

Item: Polk County Schools
Rating: 9
Author: Public School Review

125 E Mills Street
Columbus, NC 28722

( shown in map)

Top 20%

Tel: (828) 894-3051

www.polkschools.org

Top Rankings

Polk County Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:

Overview

This School District

This State (NC)

# Schools

7 Schools

2,761 Schools

# Students

2,156 Students

1,546,447 Students

# Teachers

171 Teachers

100,041 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

13:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Polk County Schools	North Carolina
Pre-K	119	67
Kind	146	313
1	156	325
2	167	335
3	139	318
4	161	325
5	149	328
6	159	330
7	146	332
8	166	338
9	178	392
10	180	359
11	149	334
12	141	297

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District Rank

Polk County Schools, which is ranked within the top 20% of all 320 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 82% has decreased from 90-94% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (NC)

#51 out of 325 school districts
(Top 20%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Polk County Schools
2023	#51
2022	#51
2021	#54
2019	#42
2018	#42
2017	#50
2016	#42
2015	#58
2014	#50
2013	#36
2012	#34

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(21-22)

66%

51%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Polk County Schools	North Carolina
2022	66%	51%
2021	58%	42%
2019	58%	42%
2018	57%	48%
2017	63%	47%
2016	62%	47%
2015	58%	44%
2014	56%	43%
2013	55%	42%
2012	92%	82%
2011	94%	82%

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67%

50%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Polk County Schools	North Carolina
2022	67%	50%
2021	62%	47%
2019	62%	46%
2018	57%	47%
2017	60%	46%
2016	62%	47%
2015	60%	46%
2014	59%	46%
2013	58%	45%
2012	85%	73%
2011	83%	70%

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74%

63%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Polk County Schools	North Carolina
2022	74%	63%
2021	77%	61%

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(21-22)

85-89%

86%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Polk County Schools	North Carolina
2022	87%	86%
2021	92%	85%
2020	87%	86%
2019	92%	85%
2018	92%	86%
2017	87%	88%
2016	87%	88%
2015	92%	87%
2014	82%	86%
2013	82%	85%
2012	90%	83%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.40

0.71

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Polk County Schools	North Carolina
2023	0.40	0.71
2022	0.40	0.70
2021	0.38	0.69
2020	0.39	0.68
2019	0.39	0.68
2018	0.38	0.67
2017	0.38	0.67
2016	0.37	0.66
2015	0.39	0.66
2014	0.37	0.65
2013	0.37	0.65
2012	0.37	0.64
2011	0.36	0.64
2010	0.36	0.61
2009	0.35	0.61
2008	0.32	0.61
2007	0.31	0.60
2006	0.31	0.58
2005	0.31	0.58
2004	0.30	0.57
2003	0.28	0.56
2002	0.28	0.55
2001	0.29	0.53
2000	0.24	0.53
1999	0.22	0.52
1998	0.22	0.52
1997	0.22	0.50
1996	0.22	0.50
1995	0.21	0.49
1994	0.20	0.48
1993	0.22	0.48
1992	0.22	0.48
1991	0.24	0.48

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% American Indian

n/a

% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1995-2022)
Year	Polk County Schools	North Carolina
2022	1%	4%
2008	2%	3%
2002	1%	2%
2001	1%	2%
1996	1%	1%
1995	1%	1%

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% Hispanic

12%

21%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Polk County Schools	North Carolina
2023	13%	20%
2022	12%	20%
2021	12%	19%
2020	12%	18%
2019	12%	18%
2018	12%	17%
2017	12%	17%
2016	12%	16%
2015	14%	16%
2014	13%	15%
2013	13%	14%
2012	12%	13%
2011	12%	13%
2010	11%	11%
2009	9%	11%
2008	9%	11%
2007	10%	10%
2006	7%	8%
2005	8%	8%
2004	7%	7%
2003	6%	6%
2002	5%	5%
2001	5%	4%
2000	4%	4%
1999	3%	3%
1998	3%	3%
1997	3%	2%
1996	3%	2%
1995	2%	2%
1994	2%	1%
1993	1%	1%

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% Black

25%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Polk County Schools	North Carolina
2023	6%	25%
2022	6%	25%
2021	6%	25%
2020	6%	25%
2019	6%	25%
2018	6%	26%
2017	6%	26%
2016	6%	26%
2015	7%	26%
2014	6%	26%
2013	6%	26%
2012	6%	26%
2011	6%	26%
2010	10%	31%
2009	11%	31%
2008	8%	29%
2007	8%	29%
2006	10%	32%
2005	10%	31%
2004	10%	31%
2003	10%	31%
2002	10%	31%
2001	10%	31%
2000	9%	31%
1999	9%	31%
1998	9%	30%
1997	9%	31%
1996	9%	31%
1995	9%	30%
1994	9%	30%
1993	11%	30%
1992	11%	30%
1991	12%	30%

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% White

76%

43%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Polk County Schools	North Carolina
2023	76%	44%
2022	77%	45%
2021	78%	46%
2020	77%	48%
2019	77%	48%
2018	78%	49%
2017	78%	49%
2016	79%	50%
2015	75%	50%
2014	78%	51%
2013	78%	52%
2012	79%	53%
2011	79%	53%
2010	79%	54%
2009	80%	54%
2008	81%	55%
2007	82%	56%
2006	83%	56%
2005	82%	57%
2004	83%	58%
2003	84%	59%
2002	84%	60%
2001	84%	61%
2000	87%	61%
1999	88%	62%
1998	88%	63%
1997	88%	64%
1996	87%	64%
1995	88%	65%
1994	89%	66%
1993	88%	66%
1992	88%	66%
1991	86%	66%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Polk County Schools	North Carolina
2023	5%	6%
2022	4%	5%
2021	4%	5%
2020	5%	5%
2019	5%	5%
2018	4%	4%
2017	4%	4%
2016	3%	4%
2015	4%	4%
2014	3%	4%
2013	3%	4%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $13,537 is higher than the state median of $11,191. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $13,184 is higher than the state median of $11,616. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

This School District

This State (NC)

Total Revenue

$29 MM

$17,307 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Polk County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$29 MM	$8 MM
2022	$28 MM	$8 MM
2021	$29 MM	$8 MM
2020	$28 MM	$8 MM
2019	$28 MM	$8 MM
2018	$27 MM	$8 MM
2017	$27 MM	$8 MM
2016	$28 MM	$8 MM
2015	$30 MM	$18 MM
2014	$28 MM	$10 MM
2012	$27 MM	$17 MM
2011	$28 MM	$19 MM
2010	$30 MM	$18 MM
2009	$30 MM	$19 MM
2008	$28 MM	$18 MM
2007	$27 MM	$18 MM
2006	$28 MM	$15 MM
2005	$25 MM	$15 MM
2004	$24 MM	$17 MM
2003	$22 MM	$17 MM
2002	$20 MM	$16 MM
2001	$20 MM	$17 MM
2000	$19 MM	$20 MM
1999	$17 MM	$23 MM
1998	$16 MM	$26 MM
1997	$13 MM	$34 MM
1996	$14 MM	$34 MM
1995	$14 MM	$32 MM

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Spending

$28 MM

$17,964 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Polk County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$28 MM	$8 MM
2022	$27 MM	$8 MM
2021	$28 MM	$8 MM
2020	$27 MM	$8 MM
2019	$28 MM	$7 MM
2018	$27 MM	$8 MM
2017	$27 MM	$9 MM
2016	$29 MM	$8 MM
2015	$27 MM	$18 MM
2014	$28 MM	$11 MM
2012	$26 MM	$16 MM
2011	$26 MM	$17 MM
2010	$27 MM	$18 MM
2009	$29 MM	$18 MM
2008	$27 MM	$17 MM
2007	$25 MM	$18 MM
2006	$24 MM	$15 MM
2005	$21 MM	$15 MM
2004	$22 MM	$16 MM
2003	$21 MM	$17 MM
2002	$19 MM	$15 MM
2001	$18 MM	$17 MM
2000	$18 MM	$20 MM
1999	$16 MM	$24 MM
1998	$16 MM	$26 MM
1997	$14 MM	$36 MM
1996	$13 MM	$33 MM
1995	$13 MM	$32 MM

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Revenue / Student

$13,537

$11,191

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Polk County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$13,474	$10,093
2022	$12,798	$9,918
2021	$13,549	$10,282
2020	$12,798	$9,918
2019	$12,527	$9,125
2018	$12,095	$9,419
2017	$11,975	$10,522
2016	$12,154	$9,128
2015	$12,542	$10,864
2014	$12,555	$9,046
2012	$11,217	$10,562
2011	$11,289	$12,703
2010	$11,543	$10,864
2009	$11,549	$11,105
2008	$10,836	$11,767
2007	$10,707	$9,479
2006	$10,633	$9,335
2005	$10,206	$8,913
2004	$9,385	$8,734
2003	$9,013	$8,577
2002	$7,956	$8,130
2001	$7,877	$7,294
2000	$7,758	$7,636
1999	$7,155	$7,252
1998	$6,963	$5,688
1997	$6,076	$5,690
1995	$6,723	$5,545
1992	$5,921	$4,737

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Spending / Student

$13,184

$11,616

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Polk County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$13,123	$9,807
2022	$12,456	$9,654
2021	$13,196	$9,990
2020	$12,456	$9,654
2019	$12,721	$8,949
2018	$12,183	$9,637
2017	$11,816	$11,583
2016	$12,656	$9,753
2015	$11,322	$10,591
2014	$12,484	$9,388
2012	$10,924	$10,336
2011	$10,441	$11,927
2010	$10,420	$10,591
2009	$11,021	$10,880
2008	$10,266	$11,136
2007	$9,836	$9,418
2006	$9,170	$8,813
2005	$8,739	$8,647
2004	$8,638	$8,413
2003	$8,558	$8,886
2002	$7,365	$7,903
2001	$7,269	$7,301
2000	$7,297	$7,650
1999	$6,899	$7,340
1998	$6,755	$5,663
1997	$6,335	$6,040
1995	$6,361	$5,570
1992	$10,022	$4,725

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Best Polk County Schools Public Schools (2025-26)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Saluda Elementary School

(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
:

10/

Top 10%

Add to Compare

214 E Main Street
Saluda, NC 28773
(828) 894-1040

Gr: PK-5 | 145 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 6%

Rank: #22.

Polk County High School

(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
:

Top 20%

Add to Compare

1681 East Nc 108 Hwy
Columbus, NC 28722
(828) 894-2525

Gr: 9-12 | 593 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%

Rank: #33.

Tryon Elementary School

(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
:

Top 20%

Add to Compare

100 School Place
Tryon, NC 28782
(828) 859-6584

Gr: PK-5 | 386 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 31%

Rank: #44.

Polk Central Elementary School

(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
:

Top 20%

Add to Compare

2141 South Nc9 Hwy
Mill Spring, NC 28756
(828) 894-8233

Gr: PK-5 | 382 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 25%

Rank: #55.

Polk County Middle School

(Math: 60% | Reading: 67%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

321 Wolverine Trail
Mill Spring, NC 28756
(828) 894-2215

Gr: 6-8 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 26%

Rank: #66.

Polk County Early College

(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥80%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

1545 East Nc 108 Hwy
Columbus, NC 28722
(828) 894-2698

Gr: 9-12 | 55 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%

Rank: #77.

Sunny View Elementary School

(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

86 Sunny View School Road
Mill Spring, NC 28756
(828) 894-1050

Gr: PK-5 | 124 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 6%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Polk County Schools?

Polk County Schools manages 7 public schools serving 2,156 students.

What is the rank of Polk County Schools?

Polk County Schools is ranked #59 out of 320 school districts in North Carolina (top 20%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of North Carolina school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 20%), Highest math proficiency (Top 20%), Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%) and Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)

What is the racial composition of students in Polk County Schools?

76% of Polk County Schools students are White, 12% of students are Hispanic, 6% of students are Black, 5% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.

What is the student/teacher ratio of Polk County Schools?

Polk County Schools has a student/teacher ratio of 13:1, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.

What is Polk County Schools's spending/student ratio?

The school district's spending/student of $13,184 is higher than the state median of $11,616. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2025-26)

District size: 7 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 2,156 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Minority Enrollment: 24%
: 85-89% (Top 50% in NC)
: Top 20%
: 66% (Top 20%)
: 67% (Top 20%)
: 74% (Top 30%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education