For the 2026 school year, there are 19 public schools serving 7,858 students in Rutherford County, NC (there are 6 private schools, serving 279 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Rutherford County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Rutherford County, NC are Rutherford Early College High School, East Rutherford High School and Cliffside Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Rutherford County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 53% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Rutherford County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 31% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Rutherford County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Rutherford Early College High School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
286 Icc Loop Road
Spindale, NC 28160
(828) 288-2202
Spindale, NC 28160
(828) 288-2202
Gr: 9-13 | 208 students Student-teacher ratio: 52:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #22.
East Rutherford High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
331 East High Rd
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-6424
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-6424
Gr: 9-12 | 623 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #33.
Cliffside Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4016 Us Hwy 221-a
Cliffside, NC 28024
(828) 288-2235
Cliffside, NC 28024
(828) 288-2235
Gr: K-5 | 188 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #44.
Pinnacle Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1204 Painters Gap Road
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 287-3440
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 287-3440
Gr: PK-5 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #55.
Sunshine Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
231 Toney Road
Bostic, NC 28018
(828) 245-0658
Bostic, NC 28018
(828) 245-0658
Gr: PK-5 | 217 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #66.
Chase High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1603 Chase High Rd
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-5883
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-5883
Gr: 9-12 | 596 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #77.
Forrest W. Hunt Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
100 Forrest Hunt Drive
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-2161
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-2161
Gr: PK-5 | 460 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #88.
Harris Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3330 Us 221 S Hwy
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 248-2354
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 248-2354
Gr: PK-5 | 434 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #99.
Lake Lure Classical Academy
Charter School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1058 Island Creek Rd.
Lake Lure, NC 28746
(828) 625-9292
Lake Lure, NC 28746
(828) 625-9292
Gr: K-12 | 481 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1010.
Forest City-dunbar Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
286 Learning Parkway
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-4978
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 245-4978
Gr: PK-5 | 459 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1111.
Rutherfordton Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
201 Bob Hardin Road
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 287-3778
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 287-3778
Gr: PK-5 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Ellenboro Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
813 Piney Mountain Church Rd
Ellenboro, NC 28040
(828) 453-8185
Ellenboro, NC 28040
(828) 453-8185
Gr: PK-5 | 567 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
R-s Central High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
641 Hwy 221 North
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 287-3304
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 287-3304
Gr: 9-12 | 763 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1414.
Mt. Vernon-ruth Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2785 Hudlow Road
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 287-4792
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 287-4792
Gr: PK-5 | 231 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1515.
R-s Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
607 Westbrook Dr.
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 286-4461
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 286-4461
Gr: 6-8 | 561 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1616.
Chase Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
840 Chase High Rd
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 247-1043
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 247-1043
Gr: 6-8 | 484 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1717.
East Rutherford Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
259 East Church Street
Bostic, NC 28018
(828) 245-3750
Bostic, NC 28018
(828) 245-3750
Gr: 6-8 | 533 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1818.
Spindale Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
161 N Oak St
Spindale, NC 28160
(828) 286-2861
Spindale, NC 28160
(828) 286-2861
Gr: PK-5 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1919.
Rutherford Opportunity Center
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
140 Old Caroleen Road
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 248-5294
Forest City, NC 28043
(828) 248-5294
Gr: 6-12 | 82 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Rutherford County, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Rutherford County, NC include Rutherford Early College High School, East Rutherford High School and Cliffside Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Rutherford County?
19 public schools are located in Rutherford County.
What percentage of students in Rutherford County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Rutherford County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Rutherford County?
Rutherford County public schools minority enrollment is 31% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Rutherford County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Rutherford County include: East Rutherford High School vs. Chase High School, R-s Central High School vs. Chase High School, Chase High School vs. East Rutherford High School
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