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 4 public middle schools serving 1,660 students in Rutherford County Schools. This district's average middle testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in North Carolina.
Public Middle Schools in Rutherford County Schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
18 Schools
872 Schools
# Students
7,394 Students
496,921 Students
# Teachers
401 Teachers
31,042 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
0.71
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
n/a
4%
% Hispanic
12%
21%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 28-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
11%
25%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% White
68%
43%
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 Middle Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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%
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