Excellent
#298 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 11% in state
Rutherfordton Elementary School
Elementary School · Rutherford County Schools
201 Bob Hardin Road, Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Enrollment
391
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
391
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#298 of 2,648
In Rutherfordton
#1 of 4
public schools
In district
#4 of 18
Rutherford County Schools
Equity
9.6 / 10
Excellent
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Rutherfordton Elementary School
Elementary School in Rutherfordton · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Spindale Elementary School
2.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Word of Faith Christian School
2.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Rutherfordton Elementary School
Rutherfordton Elementary School is a public elementary school in Rutherfordton, NC, part of Rutherford County Schools. Rutherfordton Elementary School serves approximately 391 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Rutherfordton Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #298 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Rutherfordton Elementary School show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
What's said publicly about Rutherfordton Elementary School
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.
Sources (1)
- This school 8.3 · Excellent
- District avg 7.7
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Rutherfordton Elementary 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Rutherfordton Elementary School — Students at Rutherfordton Elementary School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 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: 7.8/10.
How Rutherfordton Elementary School Compares
See how Rutherfordton Elementary 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
201 Bob Hardin Road, Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rutherfordton Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Forest City-Dunbar Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Forest City), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Harris Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Forest City), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Polk Central Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Mill Spring), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Rutherfordton, see our Rutherfordton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.7 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 |
|---|---|
| Bethany Elementary Reidsville, NC | 8.3 |
| Bethel Hill Charter Roxboro, NC | 8.3 |
| Ephesus Elementary Chapel Hill, NC | 8.3 |
| Hayesville Elementary Hayesville, NC | 8.3 |
| North Canton Elementary Canton, NC | 8.3 |
| Oakwood Elementary Hickory, NC | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rutherfordton Elementary School
What grades does Rutherfordton Elementary School serve?
Rutherfordton Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Rutherfordton Elementary School?
Rutherfordton Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 391 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rutherfordton Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Rutherfordton Elementary School is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rutherfordton Elementary School rank in NC?
Rutherfordton Elementary School ranks #298 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Rutherfordton Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Rutherfordton Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 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 Rutherfordton Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Rutherfordton Elementary School has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Rutherfordton Elementary School a charter school?
No, Rutherfordton Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rutherfordton Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Rutherfordton Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rutherfordton Elementary School?
99.2% of students at Rutherfordton Elementary 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 391
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Rutherford County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 27.1%
- Phone
- (828) 287-3778
Resources & Links
District
Rutherford County Schools- District Enrollment
- 7,409
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,515
- District Rank
- #4 of 18
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