Polk County Schools School District
School District · Columbus, North Carolina
Avg Rating
7.5
out of 10
Schools
7
4 elem, 1 mid, 2 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,041
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Avg Rating
7.5
out of 10
Schools
7
4 elem, 1 mid, 2 high
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,041
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
How this district compares
North Carolina rank
#5 of 116
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
+1.1
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
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 7.5/10, Polk County Schools is among the strongest-performing districts in the state.
The highest-rated school in the district is Saluda Elementary School, which has a composite score of 9.2/10.
In standardized testing, Polk County Schools students show an average math proficiency of 65.8% and ELA proficiency of 63.5%.
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 7.5/10. 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?
Saluda Elementary School is the highest-rated school in Polk County Schools with a composite score of 9.2/10.
What are the test scores in Polk County Schools?
Across schools in Polk County Schools with test data, the average math proficiency is 65.8% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 63.5%. 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 7.5/10 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 are based on a comprehensive methodology that weighs Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 7.5/10
- Math Proficiency
- 65.8%
- ELA Proficiency
- 63.5%
Resources
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyOther 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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