Top Rankings
Rutherford County Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 4 public middle schools serving 1,701 students in Rutherford County Schools. This district's average middle testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in North Carolina.
Public Middle Schools in Rutherford County Schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 31% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
18 Schools
880 Schools
# Students
7,409 Students
493,642 Students
# Teachers
496 Teachers
31,617 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Rutherford County Schools, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 320 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 86% has increased from 84% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#142 out of 325 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)53%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
51%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
66%
63%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)87%
86%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.50
0.71
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
4%
% Hispanic
11%
20%
% Black
11%
25%
% White
69%
44%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
8%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,925 is higher than the state median of $11,191. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,695 is higher than the state median of $11,616. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$111 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$109 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,925
$11,191
Spending / Student
$14,695
$11,616
Best Rutherford County Schools Public Middle Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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 | 559 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #22.
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 | 481 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #33.
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 | 563 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #44.
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 | 98 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Recent Articles
Texas Schools Enrollment Trends & Policy in 2025
Latest data and policy changes on Texas public school enrollment growth, funding, and virtual education in 2025.
Financial Aid & Hidden Costs in Public Schools
Learn about financial aid and hidden costs in public schools. Discover what parents should budget for beyond tuition-free education.
NYC Schools Still Most Segregated in 2025
Despite reforms, New York City schools remain the most segregated in the U.S. in 2025. Here鈥檚 what parents and educators need to know.
