Average
#1057 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 40% in state
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
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
750
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,057 of 2,648
In Rutherfordton
#3 of 4
public schools
In district
#13 of 18
Rutherford County Schools
Equity
9.1 / 10
Excellent
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R-s Central High School
High School in Rutherfordton · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
R-s Middle School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Spindale Elementary School
3.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About R-s Central High School
R-s Central High School is a public high school in Rutherfordton, NC, part of Rutherford County Schools. R-s Central High School serves approximately 750 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. R-s Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,057 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for R-s Central High School show 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.9 · Average
- District avg 7.0
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
R-s Central 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.
63% of students at R-s Central High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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R-s Central High School — Students at R-s Central High School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
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 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: 8.8/10.
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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Rutherford Early College High School (rated 7.9/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Spindale), which scores slightly higher. Another option is East Rutherford High School (rated 7.3/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Forest City), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Chase High School (rated 7.0/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Forest City), with a very similar rating. 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Mount Airy High Mount Airy, NC | 6.9 |
| Northern Nash High Rocky Mount, NC | 6.9 |
| Princeton High Princeton, NC | 6.9 |
| Chase High School Forest City, NC | 7.0 |
| East Henderson High East Flat Rock, NC | 7.0 |
| Jimmy C Draughn High School Valdese, NC | 7.0 |
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 ranks #1,057 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is R-s Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?
R-s Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 R-s Central High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, R-s Central High School has 45% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 62.5%
- Phone
- (828) 287-3304
- 4-Year Graduation
- 92.0%
Resources & Links
District
Rutherford County Schools- District Enrollment
- 7,409
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,515
- District Rank
- #13 of 18
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