Excellent
#3 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 1% in state
Polk County Early College
High School · Polk County Schools
1545 East NC 108 Hwy, Columbus, NC 28722
Enrollment
55
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
9.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
55
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
9.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#3 of 2,648
In Columbus
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#1 of 7
Polk County Schools
Academic performance
9.9 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Polk County Early College?
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Polk County Early College
High School in Columbus · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Polk County High School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Polk County Middle School
2.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Polk County Early College
Polk County Early College is a public high school in Columbus, NC, part of Polk County Schools. Polk County Early College serves approximately 55 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Polk County Early College has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.6 out of 10 and ranks #3 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Polk County Early College show 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
What's said publicly about Polk County Early College
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
- This school 9.6 · Excellent
- District avg 8.6
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 55 students, Polk County Early College is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Polk County Early College 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Polk County Early College — Students at Polk County Early College score 96% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
94.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 26 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: 9.4/10.
How Polk County Early College Compares
See how Polk County Early College 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
1545 East NC 108 Hwy, Columbus, NC 28722
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Polk County Early College may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Chapman High (rated 8.2/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Inman), a more accessible option. Another option is Landrum High (rated 7.6/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Campobello), a more accessible option. Additionally, Polk County High School (rated 7.5/10, 0.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Columbus, see our Columbus schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Polk County High School Columbus | 0.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Polk County Middle School Mill Spring | 2.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Polk Central Elementary School Mill Spring | 3.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Tryon Elementary School Tryon | 4.8 mi | 7.6 |
| O. P. Earle Elementary Landrum | 6.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Landrum Middle Landrum | 6.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Sunny View Elementary School Mill Spring | 7.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Landrum High Campobello | 8.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Lake Lure Classical Academy Lake Lure | 9.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Saluda Elementary School Saluda | 9.3 mi | 9.1 |
| Campobello-Gramling School Campobello | 11.4 mi | 6.9 |
| New Prospect Elementary Inman | 12.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Dana Elementary Hendersonville | 11.9 mi | 3.1 |
| UPWARD ADVENTIST SCHOOL Flat Rock | 12.0 mi | — |
| Holly Springs-Motlow Elementary Campobello | 14.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Upward Elementary Flat Rock | 12.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Chapman High Inman | 14.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Edneyville Elementary Hendersonville | 13.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Rutherfordton Elementary School Rutherfordton | 12.8 mi | 8.3 |
| HOPE ACADEMY Landrum | 14.1 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28722 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,774
Median Home Value
$277,600
Median Rent
$1,225/mo
Population
5,998
College Educated
31.2%
Homeownership
68.2%
Avg Commute
23.4 min
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Median Age
51.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CS Brown High - STEM Program Winton, NC | 8.7 |
| Washington Early College High Creswell, NC | 8.3 |
| Virtual Academy School Chapel Hill, NC | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Polk County Early College
What grades does Polk County Early College serve?
Polk County Early College serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Polk County Early College?
Polk County Early College has an enrollment of approximately 55 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Polk County Early College?
The student-teacher ratio at Polk County Early College is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Polk County Early College rank in NC?
Polk County Early College ranks #3 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Polk County Early College's MySchoolScout rating?
Polk County Early College has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.6 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 Polk County Early College?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Polk County Early College has 71% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Polk County Early College a charter school?
No, Polk County Early College is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Polk County Early College a Title I school?
No, Polk County Early College is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Polk County Early College?
94.5% of students at Polk County Early College 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 55
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 94.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (828) 894-2698
- 4-Year Graduation
- 90%+
Resources & Links
District
Polk County Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,156
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,041
- District Rank
- #1 of 7
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
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