Below Average
#2270 of 2,648 schools in NC
R-s Central High School
High School · Rutherford County Schools
641 Hwy 221 North, Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Enrollment
750
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
4.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
750
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
4.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rutherfordton
#4 of 4
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#398 of 579
In district
#18 of 18
Rutherford County Schools
School environment
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About R-s Central High School
R-S Central High School serves 750 students in grades 9-12 in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, maintaining a solid academic reputation with a 7.4 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. The school ranks #466 out of 2,661 high schools statewide, placing it in the 82nd percentile among North Carolina schools. With 48 full-time equivalent teachers, R-S Central maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 15.6 to 1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom.
Academically, the school shows particular strength in mathematics, with 57% of students scoring proficient or above across grade levels, while 47% achieve proficiency in English Language Arts and reading. The school draws from a diverse economic community in the 28139 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $55,371 and median home values average $180,600. About 22% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 17% of families experience poverty, reflecting the varied backgrounds that enrich the school community.
Located on Highway 221 North, R-S Central High School sits in a rural setting near the town of Rutherfordton, offering students the benefits of small-town community connections while maintaining access to quality educational resources in Rutherford County.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, R-s Central High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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R-s Central High School — Students at R-s Central High School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 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: 2.7/10.
How R-s Central High School Compares
See how R-s Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 19.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 56.5% (2025).
Location
641 Hwy 221 North, Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering R-s Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Chase High School (rated 7.2/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Forest City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rutherford Early College High School (rated 5.5/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Spindale), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Rutherford Opportunity Center (rated 5.5/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Forest City), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Rutherfordton, see our Rutherfordton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.0 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding R-s Central High School has a median household income of $52,148. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $195,300, with a median rent of $842/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.9%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Currituck County High Barco, NC | 4.7 |
| East Bladen High Elizabethtown, NC | 4.7 |
| John A Holmes High Edenton, NC | 4.7 |
| South Davidson Middle and High Denton, NC | 4.7 |
| Bandys High Catawba, NC | 4.8 |
| Bartlett Yancey High Yanceyville, NC | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about R-s Central High School
What grades does R-s Central High School serve?
R-s Central High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend R-s Central High School?
R-s Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 750 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at R-s Central High School?
The student-teacher ratio at R-s Central High School is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does R-s Central High School rank in NC?
R-s Central High School is ranked #2270 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is R-s Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?
R-s Central High School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 R-s Central High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, R-s Central High School has 41.3% math proficiency and 46.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is R-s Central High School a charter school?
No, R-s Central High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is R-s Central High School a Title I school?
No, R-s Central High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for R-s Central High School?
98.9% of students at R-s Central 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
- City Safety
- High (3,648/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Rutherfordton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 750
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Rutherford County
- Phone
- (828) 287-3304
- 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
- #18 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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