Excellent
#30 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 1% in state
Saluda Elementary School
Elementary School · Polk County Schools
214 E Main Street, Saluda, NC 28773
Enrollment
145
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
9.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
145
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
9.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina elementary schools
#27 of 1,474
In district
#1 of 7
Polk County Schools
Equity
10.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Saluda Elementary School
Saluda Elementary School serves 145 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Saluda, North Carolina. It earns a composite score of 9.2 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — driven by a near-perfect academic score of 9.8 and a strong growth score of 8.7. Those figures reflect consistent performance across both current achievement levels and year-over-year student progress.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.1 to 1, the school gives each student substantially more instructional access than the average public elementary school. The results rank Saluda Elementary #27 among 1,474 elementary schools in North Carolina, outperforming 99% of public schools across the state. Only 29 schools statewide rank ahead of it overall.
Within Polk County Schools, it holds the top position out of seven schools. For families comparing options in the area, the data makes a clear case. Small enrollment, a low student-teacher ratio, and scores that rival the state's very best combine to make Saluda Elementary one of the strongest-performing public elementary schools in North Carolina.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 145 students, Saluda Elementary School 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 9.1:1, Saluda Elementary School 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.
Located in a rural area, Saluda Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Saluda Elementary School — Students at Saluda Elementary School score 85% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.7/10.
How Saluda Elementary School Compares
See how Saluda Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 90.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 79.6% (2025).
Location
214 E Main Street, Saluda, NC 28773
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Saluda Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bruce Drysdale Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Hendersonville), a more accessible option. Another option is IMMACULATA CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Hendersonville), a more accessible option. Additionally, Tryon Elementary School (rated 6.3/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Tryon), a more accessible option. For more schools in Saluda, see our Saluda schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Upward Elementary Flat Rock | 4.9 mi | 6.2 |
| UPWARD ADVENTIST SCHOOL Flat Rock | 5.0 mi | — |
| Hillandale Elementary East Flat Rock | 5.3 mi | 5.8 |
| Flat Rock Middle East Flat Rock | 5.4 mi | 3.8 |
| East Henderson High East Flat Rock | 6.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Henderson County Career Academy Flat Rock | 6.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Henderson County Early College Flat Rock | 6.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Tryon Elementary School Tryon | 5.9 mi | 6.3 |
| LAKE HOUSE ACADEMY Flat Rock | 6.2 mi | — |
| Dana Elementary Hendersonville | 7.2 mi | 3.5 |
| THE WAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hendersonville | 7.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Sugarloaf Elementary Hendersonville | 7.8 mi | 5.7 |
| MUD CREEK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hendersonville | 7.1 mi | — |
| The Mountain Community Sch Hendersonville | 7.6 mi | 5.2 |
| HOPE ACADEMY Landrum | 9.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Edneyville Elementary Hendersonville | 9.6 mi | 5.1 |
| FAITH-COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hendersonville | 8.5 mi | — |
| Bruce Drysdale Elementary Hendersonville | 8.8 mi | 8.0 |
| IMMACULATA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hendersonville | 8.8 mi | 8.0 |
| North Henderson High Hendersonville | 9.6 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28773 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$80,625
Median Home Value
$359,900
Median Rent
$1,243/mo
Population
3,198
College Educated
37.2%
Homeownership
87.6%
Avg Commute
26.7 min
Poverty Rate
16.1%
Median Age
54.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Saluda Elementary School has a median household income of $80,625. It is an area where 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $359,900, with a median rent of $1,243/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.1%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Cliffside Elementary School Cliffside, NC | 9.2 |
| Peachtree Elementary Murphy, NC | 9.2 |
| Sunny View Elementary School Mill Spring, NC | 9.2 |
| Comfort Elementary Comfort, NC | 9.1 |
| Fred A Anderson Elementary Bayboro, NC | 9.1 |
| T S Cooper Elementary Sunbury, NC | 9.1 |
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 is ranked #30 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Saluda Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Saluda Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.2 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 Saluda Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Saluda Elementary School has 81.9% math proficiency and 77.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 145
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (828) 894-1040
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Polk County Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,156
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,041
- District Rank
- #1 of 7
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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