Very Good
#723 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 27% in state
Polk County High School
High School · Polk County Schools
1681 East NC 108 Hwy, Columbus, NC 28722
Enrollment
593
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
593
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#723 of 2,648
In Columbus
#2 of 2
public schools
In district
#6 of 7
Polk County Schools
Equity
9.5 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Polk County High School?
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Polk County High School
High School in Columbus · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Polk County Early College
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Polk County Middle School
2.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Polk County High School
Polk County High School is a public high school in Columbus, NC, part of Polk County Schools. Polk County High School serves approximately 593 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Polk County High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #723 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Polk County High School show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.5 · Very Good
- District avg 8.6
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Polk County High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Polk County High School — Students at Polk County High School score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 28 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: 6.8/10.
How Polk County High School Compares
See how Polk County High 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
1681 East NC 108 Hwy, Columbus, NC 28722
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Polk County High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Polk County Early College (rated 9.6/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chapman High (rated 8.2/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Inman), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Landrum High (rated 7.6/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Campobello), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Columbus, see our Columbus schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Polk County Early College Columbus | 0.2 mi | 9.6 |
| Polk County Middle School Mill Spring | 2.3 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 | 6.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Landrum Middle Landrum | 6.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Sunny View Elementary School Mill Spring | 7.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Landrum High Campobello | 8.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Lake Lure Classical Academy Lake Lure | 9.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Saluda Elementary School Saluda | 9.2 mi | 9.1 |
| Campobello-Gramling School Campobello | 11.5 mi | 6.9 |
| New Prospect Elementary Inman | 12.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Dana Elementary Hendersonville | 11.8 mi | 3.1 |
| UPWARD ADVENTIST SCHOOL Flat Rock | 11.8 mi | — |
| Upward Elementary Flat Rock | 12.0 mi | 4.5 |
| Holly Springs-Motlow Elementary Campobello | 14.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Edneyville Elementary Hendersonville | 12.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Chapman High Inman | 14.8 mi | 8.2 |
| HOPE ACADEMY Landrum | 14.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Rutherfordton Elementary School Rutherfordton | 12.9 mi | 8.3 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Cherryville High Cherryville, NC | 7.5 |
| Gates County Senior High Gatesville, NC | 7.5 |
| J D Clement Early College HS Durham, NC | 7.5 |
| Mountain Heritage High Burnsville, NC | 7.5 |
| Brevard High Brevard, NC | 7.6 |
| Longleaf School of the Arts Raleigh, NC | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Polk County High School
What grades does Polk County High School serve?
Polk County High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Polk County High School?
Polk County High School has an enrollment of approximately 593 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Polk County High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Polk County High School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Polk County High School rank in NC?
Polk County High School ranks #723 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Polk County High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Polk County High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 Polk County High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Polk County High School has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Polk County High School a charter school?
No, Polk County High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Polk County High School a Title I school?
No, Polk County High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Polk County High School?
99.5% of students at Polk County High 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 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 593
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 28.7%
- Phone
- (828) 894-2525
- 4-Year Graduation
- 92.0%
Resources & Links
District
Polk County Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,156
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,041
- District Rank
- #6 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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