Summary:
The city of Rutherfordton, North Carolina is home to 4 schools serving students from elementary through high school, including 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school. The schools in this district face significant economic challenges, with extremely high rates of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, but they also demonstrate some academic strengths, particularly at the elementary level.
Rutherfordton Elementary School and Pinnacle Elementary School stand out as the top performers, with strong proficiency rates in math and science that often exceed the county and state averages. In contrast, the middle and high schools, R-S Middle School and R-S Central High School, have more mixed academic results, with proficiency rates that sometimes lag behind their peers. The district's high spending per student and low student-teacher ratios suggest a commitment to supporting student success, but more consistent and targeted interventions may be needed, particularly at the secondary level.
Across the district, there are also indications of racial disparities, with the student populations being predominantly white, ranging from 69.51% to 87.18% white students. This suggests the need for the Rutherford County Schools district to examine equity and inclusion efforts to ensure all students have access to the resources and support they need to thrive.
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