For the 2024-25 school year, there are 19 public schools serving 7,969 students in Rutherford County, NC (there are 8 private schools, serving 435 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, East Rutherford High School and Cliffside 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 53% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Rutherford County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 29% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Rutherford County (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Rutherford Early College High School
Magnet 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
Grades: 9-13
| 191 students
Rank: #22.
East Rutherford High School
Magnet 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
Grades: 9-12
| 659 students
Rank: #33.
Cliffside Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: K-5
| 213 students
Rank: #44.
Pinnacle Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: PK-5
| 234 students
Rank: #55.
Sunshine Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: PK-5
| 190 students
Rank: #66.
Chase High School
Magnet 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
Grades: 9-12
| 660 students
Rank: #77.
Forrest W. Hunt Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: PK-5
| 391 students
Rank: #88.
Harris Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: PK-5
| 445 students
Rank: #99.
Lake Lure Classical Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 62%)
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
| 442 students
Rank: #1010.
Forest City-dunbar Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: PK-5
| 479 students
Rank: #1111.
Rutherfordton Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: PK-5
| 390 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Ellenboro Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: PK-5
| 595 students
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
R-s Central High School
Magnet 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
Grades: 9-12
| 758 students
Rank: #1414.
Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: PK-5
| 235 students
Rank: #1515.
R-s Middle School
Magnet 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
Grades: 6-8
| 574 students
Rank: #1616.
Chase Middle School
Magnet 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
Grades: 6-8
| 501 students
Rank: #1717.
East Rutherford Middle School
Magnet 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
Grades: 6-8
| 552 students
Rank: #1818.
Spindale Elementary School
Magnet 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
Grades: PK-5
| 341 students
Rank: #1919.
Rutherford Opportunity Center
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet 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
| 119 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, East Rutherford High School and Cliffside Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Rutherford County?
19 public schools are located in Rutherford County.
What percentage of students in Rutherford County go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Rutherford County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Rutherford County?
Rutherford County public schools minority enrollment is 29% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Rutherford County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Rutherford County include: East Rutherford High School vs. Chase High School, R-s Central High School vs. Chase High School, Chase High School vs. East Rutherford High School
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