Very Good
#936 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 35% in state
Pinnacle Elementary School
Elementary School · Rutherford County Schools
1204 Painters Gap Road, Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Enrollment
227
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
227
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#936 of 2,648
In Rutherfordton
#2 of 4
public schools
In district
#11 of 18
Rutherford County Schools
Equity
9.0 / 10
Excellent
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Pinnacle Elementary School
Elementary School in Rutherfordton · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Pine Ridge Mennonite School
1.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
New Beginnings Christian School
2.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Pinnacle Elementary School
Pinnacle Elementary School is a public elementary school in Rutherfordton, NC, part of Rutherford County Schools. Pinnacle Elementary School serves approximately 227 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Pinnacle Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #936 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Pinnacle Elementary School show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.1 · Very Good
- District avg 7.7
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Pinnacle 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
Pinnacle Elementary School — Students at Pinnacle Elementary School score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.7%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.0/10.
How Pinnacle Elementary School Compares
See how Pinnacle 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
1204 Painters Gap Road, Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pinnacle Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Forest City-Dunbar Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Forest City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rutherfordton Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 9.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sunshine Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Bostic), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Rutherfordton, see our Rutherfordton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28139 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$52,148
Median Home Value
$195,300
Median Rent
$842/mo
Population
18,887
College Educated
23.2%
Homeownership
79.2%
Avg Commute
27.7 min
Poverty Rate
17.9%
Median Age
49.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Atkinson Elementary Hendersonville, NC | 7.1 |
| Cumberland Academy K-5 Virtual School Fayetteville, NC | 7.1 |
| Gardners Elementary Elm City, NC | 7.1 |
| Oak Lane Elementary Hurdle Mills, NC | 7.1 |
| Sandy Ridge Elementary School Sandy Ridge, NC | 7.1 |
| South Lexington School Lexington, NC | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pinnacle Elementary School
What grades does Pinnacle Elementary School serve?
Pinnacle Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Pinnacle Elementary School?
Pinnacle Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 227 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pinnacle Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Pinnacle Elementary School is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pinnacle Elementary School rank in NC?
Pinnacle Elementary School ranks #936 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Pinnacle Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Pinnacle Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 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 Pinnacle Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Pinnacle Elementary School has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Pinnacle Elementary School a charter school?
No, Pinnacle Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pinnacle Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Pinnacle Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pinnacle Elementary School?
98.7% of students at Pinnacle 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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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 227
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Rutherford County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 23.8%
- Phone
- (828) 287-3440
Resources & Links
District
Rutherford County Schools- District Enrollment
- 7,409
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,515
- District Rank
- #11 of 18
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