Excellent
#56 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 2% 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
9.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
487
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
9.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Forest City
#1 of 8
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#50 of 1,474
In district
#3 of 18
Rutherford County Schools
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Forest City-dunbar Elementary School
Forest City-Dunbar Elementary School serves 487 students in grades PK through 5 in Forest City, North Carolina, earning an Exceptional composite score of 9.1 out of 10. The school ranks 56th among 2,648 public schools statewide — outperforming 98% of North Carolina schools — and stands first among all eight public schools in Forest City. Academic performance anchors that standing.
The school posts a 9.2 academic score, while its growth score reaches 9.7 out of 10. Growth measures how much students advance year over year relative to expectations — a 9.7 signals students are consistently gaining more ground than peers at comparable starting points, which is harder to fake than raw proficiency. A student-teacher ratio of 15.7:1 gives teachers room to track individual progress and course-correct early.
Among North Carolina's 1,474 elementary schools, Forest City-Dunbar ranks 50th — a position that reflects sustained performance across multiple metrics, not a single strong year in one category. Families comparing elementary options in Rutherford County will find few schools in the state that match this combination of academic strength and student growth at this enrollment size.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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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: 45%).
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 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.7/10.
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
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 46% (2019) to 75.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 63.5% (2025).
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. Rutherfordton Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Rutherfordton), with a very similar rating. Another option is Cliffside Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Cliffside), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Harris Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 5.3 miles away), with a very similar 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Forest City-dunbar Elementary School has a median household income of $41,746. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $176,100, with a median rent of $744/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Battleground Elementary Lincolnton, NC | 9.1 |
| Candler Elementary Candler, NC | 9.1 |
| Easley Elementary Durham, NC | 9.1 |
| Grandy Primary Camden, NC | 9.1 |
| Greenwood Elementary Lemon Springs, NC | 9.1 |
| Oakboro Choice STEM Oakboro, NC | 9.1 |
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 is ranked #56 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Forest City-dunbar Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Forest City-dunbar Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Forest City-dunbar Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Forest City-dunbar Elementary School has 65.2% math proficiency and 54.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Forest City). Data >1 year old.
Compare This School
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
- Phone
- (828) 245-4978
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Rutherford County Schools- District Enrollment
- 7,409
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,515
- District Rank
- #3 of 18
Compare This School
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 methodologyRelated reading
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