Summary:
The city of Forest City, North Carolina is home to 7 schools that serve students from elementary through high school, all part of the Rutherford County Schools district. While the district as a whole performs above the state average, a few standout schools emerge, including Harris Elementary School and Forest City-Dunbar Elementary School, which consistently excel on standardized tests and maintain high ratings from SchoolDigger.
The data reveals significant disparities in funding and resources across the schools, with the Rutherford Opportunity Center spending over $26,000 per student, while Harris Elementary spends just $9,551 per student. This raises questions about equity in the district, particularly given the high rates of economic disadvantage, with all schools serving student populations where 97-99% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Despite the overall strong performance of the district, the data also highlights areas for improvement, such as the struggling Rutherford Opportunity Center, which serves grades 6-12 and has proficiency rates well below the district and state averages. Addressing the needs of economically disadvantaged students and ensuring equitable resource allocation will be crucial for the continued success of schools in the Forest City area.
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