Average
#1906 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
5.5
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
98
Student-Teacher
6.5:1
Score
5.5
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Forest City
#7 of 8
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#265 of 579
In district
#15 of 18
Rutherford County Schools
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Rutherford Opportunity Center
Rutherford Opportunity Center is an alternative school located in Forest City, North Carolina. Serving students from sixth through twelfth grade, the school offers a unique educational setting with a total enrollment of 98 students and a student-teacher ratio of 6.5:1. With 15 full-time equivalent teachers, Rutherford Opportunity Center provides individualized attention to help each student succeed.
The academic performance at Rutherford Opportunity Center reflects areas for improvement, with the school ranking in the sixth percentile among North Carolina schools according to MySchoolScout ratings and state rankings. In terms of proficiency rates, only 14% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while a mere 10% are proficient or above in math. Despite these challenges, Rutherford Opportunity Center focuses on student development through personalized learning opportunities tailored to meet the unique needs of each learner.
The school is situated in a town setting where community support plays an essential role in fostering growth and achievement among its students.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 98 students, Rutherford Opportunity Center is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 6.5:1, Rutherford Opportunity Center offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Rutherford Opportunity Center — Students at Rutherford Opportunity Center score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
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 9 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: 3.8/10.
How Rutherford Opportunity Center Compares
See how Rutherford Opportunity Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 5% (2019) to 5.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 8% (2025).
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. Chase High School (rated 7.2/10, 5.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rutherford Early College High School (rated 5.5/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Spindale), with a very similar rating. Additionally, East Rutherford High School (rated 5.0/10, 2.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Rutherford Opportunity Center has a median household income of $41,746. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $176,100, with a median rent of $744/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Community High School Swannanoa, NC | 5.5 |
| Hallyburton Academy Drexel, NC | 5.5 |
| Shaw Academy Laurinburg, NC | 5.5 |
| Turning Point Academy Charlotte, NC | 5.5 |
| Ashe County Early College High West Jefferson, NC | 5.6 |
| Military and Global Leadership Charlotte, NC | 5.6 |
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 is ranked #1906 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Rutherford Opportunity Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Rutherford Opportunity Center has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Rutherford Opportunity Center?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rutherford Opportunity Center has 9.9% math proficiency and 13.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (5,858/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Forest City). Data >1 year old.
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
- 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
- #15 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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