Excellent
#220 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 8% 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
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
440
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#220 of 2,648
In Forest City
#2 of 8
public schools
In district
#2 of 18
Rutherford County Schools
Equity
9.6 / 10
Excellent
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Harris Elementary School
Elementary School in Forest City · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Forest City-dunbar Elementary School
Forest City, NC. Compare side by side with Harris Elementary School before ruling this option in or out.
Chase Middle School
2.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Harris Elementary School
Harris Elementary School is a public elementary school in Forest City, NC, part of Rutherford County Schools. Harris Elementary School serves approximately 440 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Harris Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #220 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Harris Elementary School show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
What's said publicly about Harris Elementary School
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.
Sources (1)
- This school 8.5 · Excellent
- District avg 7.7
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Harris 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Harris Elementary School — Students at Harris Elementary School score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
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 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: 8.0/10.
How Harris Elementary School Compares
See how Harris 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
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. Forest City-Dunbar Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 5.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Rutherfordton Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Rutherfordton), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Cliffside Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Cliffside), 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Casar Elementary Casar, NC | 8.5 |
| Central Elementary Statesville, NC | 8.5 |
| Clement Elementary Autryville, NC | 8.5 |
| East Robeson Primary Lumberton, NC | 8.5 |
| Edwin A Anderson Elementary Wilmington, NC | 8.5 |
| Estes Hills Elementary Chapel Hill, NC | 8.5 |
Compare Harris 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 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 ranks #220 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Harris Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Harris Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 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 Harris Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Harris Elementary School has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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How does Harris Elementary School stack up?
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 20.5%
- Phone
- (828) 248-2354
Resources & Links
District
Rutherford County Schools- District Enrollment
- 7,409
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,515
- District Rank
- #2 of 18
Compare This School
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