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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.8Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency90.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency79.6%
Math vs. State Avg+26.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+33 pts
Overall Proficiency85%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+39.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile96th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,096

Saluda Elementary School — Students at Saluda Elementary School score 85% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

97.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 81.9%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 77.1%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2025
Math
89.4%
ELA
78.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
9.2/10
99th percentile in NC
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
48 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
16 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,703/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Saluda). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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