Average
#1681 of 2,648 schools in NC
Rutherford Opportunity Center
High School · Rutherford County Schools
140 Old Caroleen Road, Forest City, NC 28043
Enrollment
98
Student-Teacher
6.5:1
Score
5.7
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
98
Student-Teacher
6.5:1
Score
5.7
Grades
6th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,681 of 2,648
In Forest City
#8 of 8
public schools
In district
#16 of 18
Rutherford County Schools
School environment
9.9 / 10
Excellent
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Rutherford Opportunity Center
High School in Forest City · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Forest City-dunbar Elementary School
1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Glenwood Christian Academy
1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Rutherford Opportunity Center
Rutherford Opportunity Center is a public high school in Forest City, NC, part of Rutherford County Schools. Rutherford Opportunity Center serves approximately 98 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 6.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Rutherford Opportunity Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,681 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Rutherford Opportunity Center show 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 17% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.7 · Average
- District avg 7.0
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 98 students, Rutherford Opportunity Center 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.
Test scores at Rutherford Opportunity Center sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
At 6.5:1 students to teachers, Rutherford Opportunity Center sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Rutherford Opportunity Center — Students at Rutherford Opportunity Center score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
96.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 33 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: 7.4/10.
How Rutherford Opportunity Center Compares
See how Rutherford Opportunity Center 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
140 Old Caroleen Road, Forest City, NC 28043
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rutherford Opportunity Center may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Rutherford Early College High School (rated 7.9/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Spindale), which scores notably higher. Another option is East Rutherford High School (rated 7.3/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Chase High School (rated 7.0/10, 5.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Forest City, see our Forest City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.7 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28043 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$41,746
Median Home Value
$176,100
Median Rent
$744/mo
Population
20,896
College Educated
17.9%
Homeownership
64.2%
Avg Commute
24.4 min
Poverty Rate
23.8%
Median Age
40.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Shaw Academy Laurinburg, NC | 5.8 |
| Lakeview School Durham, NC | 5.6 |
| Ashe County Early College High West Jefferson, NC | 5.5 |
| Ashley Chapel Educational Center Rockingham, NC | 5.9 |
| Global E-Learning Academy Elkin, NC | 5.5 |
| Hallyburton Academy Drexel, NC | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rutherford Opportunity Center
What grades does Rutherford Opportunity Center serve?
Rutherford Opportunity Center serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Rutherford Opportunity Center?
Rutherford Opportunity Center has an enrollment of approximately 98 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rutherford Opportunity Center?
The student-teacher ratio at Rutherford Opportunity Center is 6.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rutherford Opportunity Center rank in NC?
Rutherford Opportunity Center ranks #1,681 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Rutherford Opportunity Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Rutherford Opportunity Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Rutherford Opportunity Center?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Rutherford Opportunity Center has 14% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 17% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Rutherford Opportunity Center a charter school?
No, Rutherford Opportunity Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rutherford Opportunity Center a Title I school?
No, Rutherford Opportunity Center is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rutherford Opportunity Center?
96.9% of students at Rutherford Opportunity Center 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
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 98
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 96.9%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Rutherford County
- Phone
- (828) 248-5294
- 4-Year Graduation
- 57.0%
Resources & Links
District
Rutherford County Schools- District Enrollment
- 7,409
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,515
- District Rank
- #16 of 18
How we rate schools
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