Average
#1874 of 2,648 schools in NC
Spindale Elementary School
Elementary School · Rutherford County Schools
161 N Oak St, Spindale, NC 28160
Enrollment
345
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
345
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,874 of 2,648
In Spindale
#2 of 2
public schools
In district
#18 of 18
Rutherford County Schools
School environment
7.5 / 10
Very Good
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Spindale Elementary School
Elementary School in Spindale · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Word of Faith Christian School
1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Rutherford Early College High School
2.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Spindale Elementary School
Spindale Elementary School is a public elementary school in Spindale, NC, part of Rutherford County Schools. Spindale Elementary School serves approximately 345 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Spindale Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,874 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Spindale Elementary School show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.3 · Average
- District avg 7.7
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
31% of students at Spindale Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Spindale Elementary School — Students at Spindale Elementary School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
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 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.1/10.
How Spindale Elementary School Compares
See how Spindale 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
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. Forest City-Dunbar Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Forest City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Harris Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Forest City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rutherfordton Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Rutherfordton), 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Andrews Elementary Andrews, NC | 5.3 |
| Bolton Elementary Winston-Salem, NC | 5.3 |
| Carver Elementary Wendell, NC | 5.3 |
| Leaksville-Spray Elementary Eden, NC | 5.3 |
| Margaret Hearne Elementary Wilson, NC | 5.3 |
| Nathanael Greene Elementary Liberty, NC | 5.3 |
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 ranks #1,874 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Spindale Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Spindale Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 Spindale Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Spindale Elementary School has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.0%
- Phone
- (828) 286-2861
Resources & Links
District
Rutherford County Schools- District Enrollment
- 7,409
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,515
- District Rank
- #18 of 18
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