Palmer Fire School · Photo: North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources · Public domainLake Lure’s public schools outscore 58% of North Carolina districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Lake Lure, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.
From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Lake Lure’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 51% and math 53% in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,859 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Ten elementary schools, then three middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Lake Lure Classical Academy is in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Lake Lure’s grade
B: better than 58% of North Carolina school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the North Carolina average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Lake Lure, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Lake Lure · depends on your address
R-S Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 561 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Rutherfordton
East Rutherford Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 533 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Bostic
Chase Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 484 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Forest City
7th grade in Lake Lure · depends on your address
R-S Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 561 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Rutherfordton
East Rutherford Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 533 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Bostic
Chase Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 484 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Forest City
8th grade in Lake Lure · depends on your address
R-S Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 561 students · 19:1 students per teacher · in Rutherfordton
East Rutherford Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 533 students · 20:1 students per teacher · in Bostic
Chase Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 484 students · 18:1 students per teacher · in Forest City
Lake Lure’s public schools are run by Rutherford County Schools, which also serves Bostic, Chimney Rock Village, Ellenboro and Forest City and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Lake Lure vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Lake Lure’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Lure | B | Rutherford County Schools |
| Chimney Rock Village | — | Rutherford County Schools |
Every school in Lake Lure
18 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Lake Lure’s schools
Are Lake Lure’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of North Carolina: the public schools Lake Lure children attend outscore 58% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 60%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lake Lure in?
Rutherford County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 7,394 students in 18 schools (2024–25).
Where do Lake Lure kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: R-S Central High School, East Rutherford High School, Chase High School and Rutherford Early College High School.
What is Lake Lure’s graduation rate?
89% of the class of 2023 in Rutherford County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Lake Lure spend per student?
$13,859 in Rutherford County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Lake Lure families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lake Lure → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.