Excellent
#162 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 6% in state
Forest City-dunbar Elementary School
Elementary School · Rutherford County Schools
286 Learning Parkway, Forest City, NC 28043
Enrollment
487
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
487
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#162 of 2,648
In Forest City
#1 of 8
public schools
In district
#1 of 18
Rutherford County Schools
Equity
9.5 / 10
Excellent
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Forest City-dunbar Elementary School
Elementary School in Forest City · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Harris Elementary School
Forest City, NC. Compare side by side with Forest City-dunbar Elementary School before ruling this option in or out.
Rutherford Opportunity Center
1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Forest City-dunbar Elementary School
Forest City-dunbar Elementary School is a public elementary school in Forest City, NC, part of Rutherford County Schools. Forest City-dunbar Elementary School serves approximately 487 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Forest City-dunbar Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #162 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Forest City-dunbar Elementary School show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.7 · Excellent
- District avg 7.7
- NC avg 6.4
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Forest City-dunbar Elementary School — Students at Forest City-dunbar Elementary School score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
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: 9.0/10.
How Forest City-dunbar Elementary School Compares
See how Forest City-dunbar 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
286 Learning Parkway, Forest City, NC 28043
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Forest City-dunbar Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Harris Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 5.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Rutherfordton Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Rutherfordton), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Cliffside Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Cliffside), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Forest City, see our Forest City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28043 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$41,746
Median Home Value
$176,100
Median Rent
$744/mo
Population
20,896
College Educated
17.9%
Homeownership
64.2%
Avg Commute
24.4 min
Poverty Rate
23.8%
Median Age
40.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Albert H Bangert Elementary New Bern, NC | 8.7 |
| Bath Elementary Bath, NC | 8.7 |
| Carolina Beach Elementary Carolina Beach, NC | 8.7 |
| Easley Elementary Durham, NC | 8.7 |
| G R Whitfield Grimesland, NC | 8.7 |
| Jones Dairy Elementary Wake Forest, NC | 8.7 |
Compare Forest City-dunbar Elementary School with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Forest City-dunbar Elementary School
What grades does Forest City-dunbar Elementary School serve?
Forest City-dunbar Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Forest City-dunbar Elementary School?
Forest City-dunbar Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 487 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Forest City-dunbar Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Forest City-dunbar Elementary School is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Forest City-dunbar Elementary School rank in NC?
Forest City-dunbar Elementary School ranks #162 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Forest City-dunbar Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Forest City-dunbar Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 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 Forest City-dunbar Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Forest City-dunbar Elementary School has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Forest City-dunbar Elementary School a charter school?
No, Forest City-dunbar Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Forest City-dunbar Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Forest City-dunbar Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Forest City-dunbar Elementary School?
99.4% of students at Forest City-dunbar 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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How does Forest City-dunbar Elementary School stack up?
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 487
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Rutherford County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 25.7%
- Phone
- (828) 245-4978
Resources & Links
District
Rutherford County Schools- District Enrollment
- 7,409
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,515
- District Rank
- #1 of 18
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