Very Good
#682 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 26% in state
Spindale Elementary School
Elementary School · Rutherford County Schools
161 N Oak St, Spindale, NC 28160
Enrollment
345
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
345
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Spindale
#1 of 2
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#579 of 1,474
In district
#8 of 18
Rutherford County Schools
Academic growth
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Spindale Elementary School
Spindale Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the charming town of Spindale, North Carolina. Serving students from Pre-K through 5th grade, the school currently has an enrollment of 345 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is nestled within the heart of the town, fostering a close-knit community environment.
Spindale Elementary School’s MySchoolScout rating stands at 5.6 out of 10, placing it in the 49th percentile among North Carolina schools. Academically, the school scores an average of 4.3 out of 10, with 39% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 47% proficient or above in Math. While there is room for academic growth, the dedicated staff works tirelessly to support each student’s educational journey.
Spindale Elementary School is situated in a town setting that offers a tight-knit community atmosphere, making it an inviting place for families looking for a close connection with their school and neighbors.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Spindale Elementary School — Students at Spindale Elementary School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.1%
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: 8.1/10.
How Spindale Elementary School Compares
See how Spindale Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 54.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 31% (2019) to 40.6% (2025).
Location
161 N Oak St, Spindale, NC 28160
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Spindale Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rutherfordton Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Rutherfordton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Forest City-Dunbar Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Forest City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Harris Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Forest City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Spindale, see our Spindale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.0 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28160 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$38,625
Median Home Value
$121,300
Median Rent
$692/mo
Population
3,825
College Educated
14.9%
Homeownership
47.8%
Poverty Rate
15.1%
Median Age
46.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Spindale Elementary School has a median household income of $38,625. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $121,300, with a median rent of $692/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bradley Creek Elementary Wilmington, NC | 7.6 |
| Buckland Elementary Gates, NC | 7.6 |
| Bugg Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.6 |
| Dublin Primary Dublin, NC | 7.6 |
| Etowah Elementary Etowah, NC | 7.6 |
| James W Smith Elementary Cove City, NC | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Spindale Elementary School
What grades does Spindale Elementary School serve?
Spindale Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Spindale Elementary School?
Spindale Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 345 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Spindale Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Spindale Elementary School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Spindale Elementary School rank in NC?
Spindale Elementary School is ranked #682 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Spindale Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Spindale Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Spindale Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Spindale Elementary School has 47.2% math proficiency and 38.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Spindale Elementary School a charter school?
No, Spindale Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Spindale Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Spindale Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Spindale Elementary School?
99.1% of students at Spindale 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 345
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Rutherford County
- Phone
- (828) 286-2861
- 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
- #8 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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