Photo: Brian Stansberry (photographer) · CC BY 4.0Rutherford College’s public schools outscore 56% of North Carolina districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Rutherford College, 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.
Rutherford College’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 330 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Rutherford College’s, its schools beat 62%, higher than their 56% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 50% and math 54% in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,539 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
14 elementary schools, then five middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Christ Classical Academy (private) 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 Rutherford College’s grade
B: better than 56% 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 Rutherford College, with each school’s own grade.
Rutherford College’s public schools are run by Burke County Schools, which also serves Connelly Springs, Drexel, Glen Alpine and Hildebran and others. Parts of Rutherford College (2% of its land) are served by Caldwell County Schools instead. 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
Rutherford College vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Rutherford College’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Rutherford College | B | Burke County Schools |
| Valdese | B | Burke County Schools |
| Connelly Springs | B | Burke County Schools |
All 2 neighbors share Burke County Schools with Rutherford College, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Rutherford College
24 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).
1 duplicate private-school records merged.
Questions about Rutherford College’s schools
Are Rutherford College’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of North Carolina: the public schools Rutherford College children attend outscore 56% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 62%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Rutherford College in?
Burke County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 11,667 students in 26 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Rutherford College are served by Caldwell County Schools.
Where do Rutherford College kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Freedom High, East Burke High, Patton High School and Draughn High School.
What is Rutherford College’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in Burke County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Rutherford College spend per student?
$12,539 in Burke County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Rutherford College?
Yes: Christ Classical Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 264 students).
Parents talk
What Rutherford College families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Rutherford College → 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.