Excellent
#53 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 2% in state
Saluda Elementary School
Elementary School · Polk County Schools · Saluda, NC
A Polk County Schools elementary school where students score 38 points above what's typical for similar communities.
214 E Main Street, Saluda, NC 28773
- Math 89% vs NC 59% (2025)
- Reading 79% vs NC 53% (2025)
- 9.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Saluda Elementary School score 85% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
2025 NC proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. NC average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 7 points since 2020, reaching 84% in 2025.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 78% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 76% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
97.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Saluda Elementary School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 48Car-Dependent
- Bike 16Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High1,703/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Saluda), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$80,625
Median home value
$359,900
Median rent
$1,243/mo
College educated
37.2%
Homeownership
87.6%
Poverty rate
16.1%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 28773; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upward ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 4.5 | PK–5 | 4.9 mi | 413 | Compare → |
| Polk Central Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 7.9 | PK–5 | Not available | 382 | Compare → |
| Sunny View Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 6.5 | PK–5 | Not available | 124 | Compare → |
| Tryon Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 7.6 | PK–5 | Not available | 386 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Polk County Schools
- Schools in district
- 7
- Rank in district
- #2 of 7
- District spending per student
- $15,041NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 17.3%Census SAIPE · 2024
Saluda Elementary School is listed in Polk County Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Saluda Elementary School
Saluda Elementary School is a public elementary school in Saluda, NC, part of Polk County Schools, serving approximately 145 students in grades Pre-K-5th with a 9.1:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 9.1 out of 10 and ranks #53 of 2,648 schools in NC. State assessment records show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Saluda Elementary School
What grades does Saluda Elementary School serve?
Saluda Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Saluda Elementary School?
Saluda Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 145 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Saluda Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Saluda Elementary School is 9.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Saluda Elementary School rank in NC?
Saluda Elementary School ranks #53 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Saluda Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Saluda Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.1 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 Saluda Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Saluda Elementary School has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 76% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Saluda Elementary School a charter school?
No, Saluda Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Saluda Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Saluda Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Saluda Elementary School?
97.9% of students at Saluda 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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 145
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 22.8%
- Phone
- (828) 894-1040
- Area population (ZIP 28773)
- 3,198
- Area average commute
- 26.7 min
- Area median age
- 54.5
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 28773; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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