Excellent
#99 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 4% in state
Harris Elementary School
Elementary School · Rutherford County Schools
3330 US 221 S Hwy, Forest City, NC 28043
Enrollment
440
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
440
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
8.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Forest City
#2 of 8
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#87 of 1,474
In district
#4 of 18
Rutherford County Schools
Equity
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Harris Elementary School
Harris Elementary School is a public elementary school in Forest City, NC, part of the Rutherford County Schools. The school serves approximately 440 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.9/10, placing it in the 96.3th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 67% proficiency in math, 8 points above the state average and 62% in reading/language arts, 9 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $41,746, where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What's said publicly about Harris Elementary School
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Harris Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Harris Elementary School — Students at Harris Elementary School score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
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: 9.0/10.
How Harris Elementary School Compares
See how Harris Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 49% (2019) to 75.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 53% (2019) to 66.7% (2025).
Location
3330 US 221 S Hwy, Forest City, NC 28043
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harris Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rutherfordton Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Rutherfordton), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Cliffside Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Cliffside), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Forest City-Dunbar Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 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 9.7 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 Harris 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 |
|---|---|
| Cartoogechaye Elementary Franklin, NC | 8.9 |
| Edwin A Anderson Elementary Wilmington, NC | 8.9 |
| Glenn Elementary Durham, NC | 8.9 |
| Iron Station Elementary Iron Station, NC | 8.9 |
| Leesville Road Elementary Raleigh, NC | 8.9 |
| Micro Elementary Micro, NC | 8.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harris Elementary School
What grades does Harris Elementary School serve?
Harris Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Harris Elementary School?
Harris Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 440 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harris Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Harris Elementary School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harris Elementary School rank in NC?
Harris Elementary School is ranked #99 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Harris Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Harris Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.9 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 Harris Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harris Elementary School has 67.3% math proficiency and 61.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Harris Elementary School a charter school?
No, Harris Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harris Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Harris Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harris Elementary School?
99.3% of students at Harris 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.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 440
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Rutherford County
- Phone
- (828) 248-2354
- 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
- #4 of 18
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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