Average
#1518 of 2,648 schools in NC
Sunshine Elementary School
Elementary School · Rutherford County Schools
231 Toney Road, Bostic, NC 28018
Enrollment
197
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
197
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bostic
#1 of 2
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,079 of 1,474
In district
#13 of 18
Rutherford County Schools
Equity
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Sunshine Elementary School
Sunshine Elementary School in Bostic, North Carolina, is a regular public elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 197 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child's needs. The dedicated staff includes 12 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to foster a nurturing learning environment.
Sunshine Elementary School’s academic performance reflects areas for improvement with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1304 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it at the 51st percentile. The school’s ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 57%, while the Math proficiency rate stands at 66%. These scores indicate that there is room for growth and development in student performance.
Sunshine Elementary School is situated in a rural setting, offering students a peaceful and close-knit community atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 197 students, Sunshine 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.
Located in a rural area, Sunshine 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 metricsView breakdown
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Sunshine Elementary School — Students at Sunshine Elementary School score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.5%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 4.6/10.
How Sunshine Elementary School Compares
See how Sunshine Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 68.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 57% (2019) to 57.5% (2025).
Location
231 Toney Road, Bostic, NC 28018
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sunshine Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rutherfordton Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Rutherfordton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Forest City-Dunbar Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Forest City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Harris Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Forest City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bostic, see our Bostic schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28018 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,432
Median Home Value
$152,400
Median Rent
$800/mo
Population
5,298
College Educated
22.5%
Homeownership
86.5%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
10.9%
Median Age
51.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sunshine Elementary School has a median household income of $54,432. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $152,400, with a median rent of $800/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Everetts Elementary S.T.E.M. Academy Roanoke Rapids, NC | 6.2 |
| Forbush Elementary East Bend, NC | 6.2 |
| Johnston Elementary Asheville, NC | 6.2 |
| Morven Elementary Morven, NC | 6.2 |
| Quest Academy Raleigh, NC | 6.2 |
| Classical Charter Schools of Wilmington Wilmington, NC | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sunshine Elementary School
What grades does Sunshine Elementary School serve?
Sunshine Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Sunshine Elementary School?
Sunshine Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 197 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunshine Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sunshine Elementary School is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sunshine Elementary School rank in NC?
Sunshine Elementary School is ranked #1518 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Sunshine Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sunshine Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Sunshine Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sunshine Elementary School has 66.5% math proficiency and 57.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sunshine Elementary School a charter school?
No, Sunshine Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sunshine Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Sunshine Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sunshine Elementary School?
98.5% of students at Sunshine 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (793/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 197
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Rutherford County
- Phone
- (828) 245-0658
- 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
- #13 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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