Polk County Schools School District
School District · Columbus, North Carolina
Avg Rating
8.0
out of 10
Schools
7
4 elem, 1 mid, 2 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,041
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Avg Rating
8.0
out of 10
Schools
7
4 elem, 1 mid, 2 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,041
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Evaluating Polk County Schools?
A district shares budget, policy, and attendance zones across its schools — use this page to judge Polk County Schools as a whole, then compare how its individual schools differ.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Polk County Early College
Columbus · High. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Saluda Elementary School
Saluda · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Polk Central Elementary School
Mill Spring · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
How this district compares
North Carolina rank
#3 of 116
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
+1.7
above North Carolina avg
Per-pupil spending
$15,041
+$1,929 vs North Carolina median
District size
2,156 students
Smaller than North Carolina median
The short answer
Polk County Schools ranks #3 of 116 North Carolina districts by overall school rating. Polk County Schools's schools with real test data average 8.0/10 across 7 schools. Its top-rated schools are Polk County Early College (9.6/10), Saluda Elementary School (9.1/10), and Polk Central Elementary School (7.9/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Top-Rated Schools in Polk County Schools
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (7 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Polk County Early College | 9.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Saluda Elementary School | 9.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Polk Central Elementary School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Polk County Middle School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 5 | Tryon Elementary School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 6 | Polk County High School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 7 | Sunny View Elementary School | 6.5 / 10 |
See all 7 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Polk County Schools
Polk County Schools is a Columbus, North Carolina school district serving 7 schools. The district educates 2,156 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.6:1. The district invests $15,041 per student annually.
With an average rating of 8.0/10, Polk County Schools is among the strongest-performing districts in the state.
The highest-rated school in the district is Polk County Early College, which has a composite score of 9.6/10.
In standardized testing, Polk County Schools students show an average math proficiency of 68.7% and ELA proficiency of 66.5%.
The district includes 4 elementary schools , 1 middle school , and 2 high schools.
District Map
Schools in Polk County Schools, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Polk County Schools with test data.
Schools in Polk County Schools
7 schools Elementary Schools 4
Middle Schools 1
High Schools 2
District Details
- State
- North Carolina
- City
- Columbus
- Total Enrollment
- 2,156
- Teachers (FTE)
- 171
- Child Poverty Rate
- 0.2%
- Data Year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Polk County Schools?
Polk County Schools has 7 schools in total — 4 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Polk County Schools?
The average composite rating for Polk County Schools is 8.0/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the per-pupil spending in Polk County Schools?
Polk County Schools spends $15,041 per student per year.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Polk County Schools?
The average student-teacher ratio in Polk County Schools is 12.6:1.
What is the top-rated school in Polk County Schools?
Polk County Early College is the highest-rated school in Polk County Schools with a composite score of 9.6/10.
What are the test scores in Polk County Schools?
Across schools in Polk County Schools with test data, the average math proficiency is 68.7% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 66.5%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Polk County Schools compare to other districts in North Carolina?
Polk County Schools has an average school rating of 8.0/10 across 7 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in North Carolina by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 8.0/10
- Math Proficiency
- 68.7%
- ELA Proficiency
- 66.5%
Resources
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 rateOther School Districts in NC
Compare Polk County Schools with neighboring districts in the state.
- Wake County Schools (197)
- Charlotte-mecklenburg Schools (184)
- Guilford County Schools (124)
- Cumberland County Schools (86)
- Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools (81)
- Durham Public Schools (56)
- Gaston County Schools (56)
- Union County Public Schools (52)
- Johnston County Public Schools (48)
- Buncombe County Schools (45)
- Cabarrus County Schools (44)
- New Hanover County Schools (42)
- Pitt County Schools (40)
- Onslow County Schools (39)
- Alamance-burlington Schools (38)
- Iredell-statesville Schools (38)
- Public Schools of Robeson County (37)
- Davidson County Schools (35)
- Wayne County Public Schools (33)
- Randolph County School System (32)
- Rowan-salisbury Schools (32)
- Harnett County Schools (29)
- Catawba County Schools (28)
- Cleveland County Schools (28)
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.
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