Top Rankings
Rutherford County Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 7,394 students in Rutherford County Schools. This district's average testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public schools in North Carolina.
Public Schools in Rutherford County Schools have an average math proficiency score of 53% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
18 Schools
2,729 Schools
# Students
7,394 Students
1,548,397 Students
# Teachers
401 Teachers
96,034 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
18:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Rutherford County Schools, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 314 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 86% has increased from 84% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#142 out of 325 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)53%
51%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
51%
50%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
66%
63%
Graduation Rate
86%
86.5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)41.6%
28.7%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.51
0.72
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
n/a
5%
% Hispanic
12%
22%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 28-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
11%
24%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% White
68%
42%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
9%
6%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,369 is higher than the state median of $13,318. The school district revenue/student has declined by 9% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,715 is higher than the state median of $13,934. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$114 MM
$20,622 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$116 MM
$21,575 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$15,369
$13,318
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$15,715
$13,934
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Rutherford County Schools Public Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Rutherford Early College High School
(Math: 80-89% | 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
Gr: 9-13 | 208 students Student-teacher ratio: 52:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #22.
East Rutherford High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
331 East High Rd
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-6424
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-6424
Gr: 9-12 | 623 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #33.
Cliffside Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4016 Us Hwy 221-a
Cliffside, NC 28024
(828) 288-2235
Cliffside, NC 28024
(828) 288-2235
Gr: K-5 | 188 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #44.
Pinnacle Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1204 Painters Gap Road
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 287-3440
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 287-3440
Gr: PK-5 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #55.
Sunshine Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
231 Toney Road
Bostic, NC 28018
(828) 245-0658
Bostic, NC 28018
(828) 245-0658
Gr: PK-5 | 217 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #66.
Chase High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1603 Chase High Rd
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-5883
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-5883
Gr: 9-12 | 596 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #77.
Forrest W. Hunt Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
100 Forrest Hunt Drive
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-2161
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-2161
Gr: PK-5 | 460 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #88.
Harris Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 56%)
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
Gr: PK-5 | 434 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #99.
Forest City-dunbar Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
286 Learning Parkway
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-4978
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-4978
Gr: PK-5 | 459 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1010.
Rutherfordton Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
201 Bob Hardin Road
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 287-3778
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 287-3778
Gr: PK-5 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Ellenboro Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
813 Piney Mountain Church Rd
Ellenboro, NC 28040
(828) 453-8185
Ellenboro, NC 28040
(828) 453-8185
Gr: PK-5 | 567 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
R-s Central High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
641 Hwy 221 North
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 287-3304
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 287-3304
Gr: 9-12 | 763 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1313.
Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2785 Hudlow Road
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 287-4792
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 287-4792
Gr: PK-5 | 231 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1414.
R-s Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
607 Westbrook Dr.
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 286-4461
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 286-4461
Gr: 6-8 | 561 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1515.
Chase Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
840 Chase High Rd
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 247-1043
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 247-1043
Gr: 6-8 | 484 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1616.
East Rutherford Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
259 East Church Street
Bostic, NC 28018
(828) 245-3750
Bostic, NC 28018
(828) 245-3750
Gr: 6-8 | 533 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1717.
Spindale Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
161 N Oak St
Spindale, NC 28160
(828) 286-2861
Spindale, NC 28160
(828) 286-2861
Gr: PK-5 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1818.
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
Gr: 6-12 | 82 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Rutherford County Schools?
Rutherford County Schools manages 18 public schools serving 7,394 students.
What is the rank of Rutherford County Schools?
Rutherford County Schools is ranked #147 out of 314 school districts in North Carolina (top 50%) 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: Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Rutherford County Schools?
68% of Rutherford County Schools students are White, 12% of students are Hispanic, 11% of students are Black, and 9% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Rutherford County Schools?
Rutherford County Schools has a student/teacher ratio of 18:1, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 16:1.
What is Rutherford County Schools's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $15,715 is higher than the state median of $13,934. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles
When a Public School Cancels a Course Your Child Needs
Learn what parents can do when public schools cancel essential courses, including protecting graduation credits, finding approved alternatives, requesting substitutions, and preventing disruptions to college or career plans before deadlines.
Verify School Assignment Before Buying a House
Before buying a house, learn how to verify your child's assigned public school, check conflicting property listings, confirm enrollment eligibility, and avoid costly school assignment surprises before closing on a property.
School Bus Commute Times: What Parents Should Know
Discover how long school bus commutes really take, why routes vary, and what parents should ask about pickup times, student fatigue, transportation reliability, and daily schedules before choosing schools.
