Average
#1259 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 48% in state
Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School
Elementary School · Rutherford County Schools
2785 Hudlow Road, Forest City, NC 28043
Enrollment
244
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
244
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Forest City
#6 of 8
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#949 of 1,474
In district
#12 of 18
Rutherford County Schools
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School
Mt. Vernon-Ruth Elementary School is a public elementary school nestled in the rural outskirts of Forest City, North Carolina. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 244 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1, ensuring personalized attention for each child.
With 18 full-time equivalent teachers, Mt. Vernon-Ruth focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages growth and development. Academically, the school has room for improvement, as evidenced by its MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and state ranking at #1352 among North Carolina's 2661 schools (49th percentile).
In reading and ELA, approximately 48% of students are proficient or above, while in math, the figure is slightly higher at 60%. These scores suggest that the school is working diligently to enhance its academic programs. Set against a backdrop of natural beauty and rural tranquility, Mt.
Vernon-Ruth Elementary School benefits from a close-knit community environment that values education and supports student success.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Mt. Vernon-ruth 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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Data not available for this school
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Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School — Students at Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.5%
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
→ 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: 4.9/10.
How Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School Compares
See how Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 62.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 47% (2025).
Location
2785 Hudlow Road, Forest City, NC 28043
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rutherfordton Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Rutherfordton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Forest City-Dunbar Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 4.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Harris Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 9.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Forest City, see our Forest City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.8 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 Mt. Vernon-ruth 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 |
|---|---|
| Appalachian Academy at Middle Fork Walkertown, NC | 6.6 |
| Bladen Lakes Primary Elizabethtown, NC | 6.6 |
| District No 7 Elementary Wade, NC | 6.6 |
| Fremont STARS Elementary Fremont, NC | 6.6 |
| Hendersonville Elementary Hendersonville, NC | 6.6 |
| J W McLauchlin Elementary Raeford, NC | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School
What grades does Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School serve?
Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School?
Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 244 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School rank in NC?
Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School is ranked #1259 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School has 60.1% math proficiency and 47.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School a charter school?
No, Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School?
97.5% of students at Mt. Vernon-ruth 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
- City Safety
- High (5,858/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Forest City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 244
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Rutherford County
- Phone
- (828) 287-4792
- 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
- #12 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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