Excellent
#297 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 11% in state
Cliffside Elementary School
Elementary School · Rutherford County Schools
PO Box 338, Cliffside, NC 28024
Enrollment
196
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
196
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#297 of 2,648
In district
#3 of 18
Rutherford County Schools
Equity
9.7 / 10
Excellent
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Cliffside Elementary School
Elementary School in Cliffside · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy
2.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Chase High School
4.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cliffside Elementary School
Cliffside Elementary School is a public elementary school in Cliffside, NC, part of Rutherford County Schools. Cliffside Elementary School serves approximately 196 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Cliffside Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #297 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Cliffside Elementary School show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
What's said publicly about Cliffside Elementary School
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.
Sources (1)
- This school 8.3 · Excellent
- District avg 7.7
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 196 students, Cliffside Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Cliffside Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
44% of students at Cliffside Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cliffside Elementary School — Students at Cliffside Elementary School score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.7/10.
How Cliffside Elementary School Compares
See how Cliffside Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
PO Box 338, Cliffside, NC 28024
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cliffside Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Forest City-Dunbar Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Forest City), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Springmore Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Shelby), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Harris Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Forest City), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cliffside, see our Cliffside schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy Mooresboro | 2.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Chase High School Forest City | 4.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Chase Middle School Forest City | 4.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Forrest W. Hunt Elementary School Forest City | 6.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Ellenboro Elementary School Ellenboro | 7.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Springmore Elementary Shelby | 6.1 mi | 8.5 |
| East Rutherford High School Forest City | 7.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Boiling Springs Elementary Shelby | 6.4 mi | 8.2 |
| GLENWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Bostic | 7.7 mi | — |
| Rutherford Opportunity Center Forest City | 7.6 mi | 5.7 |
| East Rutherford Middle School Bostic | 8.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Harris Elementary School Forest City | 7.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Northwest Elementary Gaffney | 9.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Chesnee Middle Chesnee | 9.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Forest City-Dunbar Elementary School Forest City | 9.2 mi | 8.7 |
| Chesnee High Chesnee | 9.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Chesnee Elementary Chesnee | 9.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Grassy Pond Elementary Gaffney | 9.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Crest Middle Shelby | 8.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Crest High Shelby | 9.1 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28024 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Population
31
College Educated
51.6%
Homeownership
100%
Poverty Rate
100%
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Freedom Trail Elementary Elk Park, NC | 8.3 |
| Hayesville Elementary Hayesville, NC | 8.3 |
| Partnership Elementary Raleigh, NC | 8.3 |
| Pocosin Innovative Charter Creswell, NC | 8.3 |
| Roaring River Elementary School Roaring River, NC | 8.3 |
| Willow Oak Montessori Pittsboro, NC | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cliffside Elementary School
What grades does Cliffside Elementary School serve?
Cliffside Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Cliffside Elementary School?
Cliffside Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 196 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cliffside Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cliffside Elementary School is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cliffside Elementary School rank in NC?
Cliffside Elementary School ranks #297 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Cliffside Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cliffside Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Cliffside Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cliffside Elementary School has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Cliffside Elementary School a charter school?
No, Cliffside Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cliffside Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Cliffside Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cliffside Elementary School?
98.5% of students at Cliffside Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 196
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Rutherford County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 43.9%
- Phone
- (828) 288-2235
Resources & Links
District
Rutherford County Schools- District Enrollment
- 7,409
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,515
- District Rank
- #3 of 18
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