Best Schools in Rutherfordton, North Carolina
5 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Rutherfordton?
Use this page to compare every school in Rutherfordton by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Rutherfordton Elementary School
Elementary · Rutherford County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Pinnacle Elementary School
Elementary · Rutherford County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
R-s Central High School
High · Rutherford County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Rutherfordton for 2026 are Rutherfordton Elementary School (8.3/10), Pinnacle Elementary School (7.1/10), and R-s Central High School (6.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$195,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.3
out of 10
Median Home
$195,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Rutherfordton
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rutherfordton Elementary School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Pinnacle Elementary School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 3 | R-s Central High School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 4 | R-s Middle School | 6.8 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.3/10
- Median household income
- $52,148
- Median home value
- $195,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 23%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 79%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Rutherfordton compares
North Carolina rank
#29 of 253
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.0
above North Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$52k
77% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Rutherfordton, North Carolina
Rutherfordton, North Carolina is home to 5 schools, including 4 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.3 out of 10, schools in Rutherfordton perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Rutherfordton is Rutherfordton Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Rutherfordton is served by 1 school district: Rutherford County Schools. These districts collectively serve 7,409 students.
Rutherfordton's community shows 23% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $52,148. The poverty rate in the area is 17.9%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 391 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.3 |
| 2 | 227 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.1 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 559 students · 6th–8th | 6.8 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 750 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pine Ridge Mennonite School
Private
25 students · 1st–9th | — |
Schools in Rutherfordton
Rutherfordton, North Carolina · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$52,148
Median Home Value
$195,300
Median Rent
$842/mo
Population
18,887
College Educated
23%
Homeownership
79%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
17.9%
Community Profile
Rutherfordton has a median household income of $52,148. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $195,300, with a median rent of $842/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.9%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Rutherfordton, North Carolina
How many schools are in Rutherfordton, North Carolina?
Rutherfordton has 5 schools, including 4 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Rutherfordton, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Rutherfordton is 7.3 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Rutherfordton, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Rutherfordton on MySchoolScout is Rutherfordton Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Rutherfordton, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Rutherfordton on MySchoolScout is Rutherfordton Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Rutherfordton, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Rutherfordton on MySchoolScout is R-s Middle School with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best high school in Rutherfordton, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Rutherfordton on MySchoolScout is R-s Central High School with a composite score of 6.9/10.
How many school districts serve Rutherfordton, North Carolina?
Rutherfordton is served by 1 school district: Rutherford County Schools.
What is the education level in Rutherfordton, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 23% of adults in Rutherfordton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Rutherfordton, North Carolina?
The median household income in Rutherfordton is approximately $52,148 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Rutherfordton, North Carolina?
Yes, Rutherfordton has 1 private school alongside 4 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Rutherfordton, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Rutherfordton is 13.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Rutherfordton, North Carolina?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.