Very Good
#672 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 25% in state
Sunshine Elementary School
Elementary School · Rutherford County Schools
231 Toney Road, Bostic, NC 28018
Enrollment
197
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
197
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#672 of 2,648
In Bostic
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#8 of 18
Rutherford County Schools
Equity
9.2 / 10
Excellent
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Sunshine Elementary School
Elementary School in Bostic · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
East Rutherford Middle School
6.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Ellenboro Elementary School
7.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Sunshine Elementary School
Sunshine Elementary School is a public elementary school in Bostic, NC, part of Rutherford County Schools. Sunshine Elementary School serves approximately 197 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Sunshine Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #672 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Sunshine Elementary School show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.6 · Very Good
- District avg 7.7
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 197 students, Sunshine Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Sunshine Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
32% of students at Sunshine 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
Sunshine Elementary School — Students at Sunshine Elementary School score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
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 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: 7.6/10.
How Sunshine Elementary School Compares
See how Sunshine 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
231 Toney Road, Bostic, NC 28018
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sunshine Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Forest City-Dunbar Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Forest City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Harris Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Forest City), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Casar Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Casar), which scores slightly 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Catawba Heights Elementary Belmont, NC | 7.6 |
| Fall Creek Elementary East Bend, NC | 7.6 |
| Fred A Anderson Elementary Bayboro, NC | 7.6 |
| J S Waters School Goldston, NC | 7.6 |
| Lilesville Elementary Lilesville, NC | 7.6 |
| C B Eller Elementary School Elkin, NC | 7.5 |
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 ranks #672 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Sunshine Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sunshine Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Sunshine Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Sunshine Elementary School has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.5%
- Phone
- (828) 245-0658
Resources & Links
District
Rutherford County Schools- District Enrollment
- 7,409
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,515
- District Rank
- #8 of 18
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