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B
Schools in Spindale · Rutherford County Schools

Spindale’s public schools outscore 58% of North Carolina districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Spindale, 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.

#116of 290 North Carolina townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
51%
▲ 1 pts vs NC 50%
2021–22
Math proficiency
53%
▲ 2 pts vs NC 51%
2021–22
Graduate on time
89%
▲ 2 pts vs NC 86%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.9K
▲ 6% vs NC $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
18.1
NC 16.0 · larger classes
Schools in town
1
4,105 students on the public path
In brief

Spindale’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 205 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Spindale’s, its schools beat 77%, higher than their 58% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

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 ↓

One elementary school, then three middle and four high schools

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Spindale’s grade

B Test scoresB Graduation

B: better than 58% of North Carolina school districts, #116 of 290 North Carolina towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the North Carolina average; graduation is the stronger of the two.

North Carolina school districts we grade (325)Better than 58%
Lower resultsHigher results
North Carolina towns with similar household incomes (205)Better than 77%
B−BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 3,732 test results and a graduating class of 602 could put Spindale anywhere from B− to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Spindale’s students in the tested grades sat them (3,603 in math, 3,860 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Spindale, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–5Spindale Elementary SchoolRutherford County SchoolsC
6–83 middle schoolsDepends on your addressC+ to B−
9–124 high schoolsDepends on your addressB+ to A+

Spindale’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.

Rutherford County SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 18 schools · 7,394 students, down 2% since 2020–21 · 18.1 per teacher (NC 16.0)
$13,859NC $13,045 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Close to the state in reading

Reading51%
State average 49.9% · 3860 students tested
Math53%
State average 50.8% · 3603 students tested

Spindale vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Spindale’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
SpindaleBRutherford County Schools
RutherfordtonBRutherford County Schools
Forest CityBRutherford County Schools

All 2 neighbors share Rutherford County Schools with Spindale, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Spindale

8 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).

District schools in Spindaleby address
Spindale Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C
337 students17:1Rate it →
Also serving Spindalein other towns
R-S Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Rutherfordton
C+
561 students19:1Rate it →
East Rutherford Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Bostic
C+
533 students20:1Rate it →
Chase Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Forest City
B−
484 students18:1Rate it →
R-S Central High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Rutherfordton
B+
763 students21:1Rate it →
East Rutherford High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Bostic
B+
623 students19:1Rate it →
Chase High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Forest City
B+
596 students21:1Rate it →
Rutherford Early College High School
High · Grades 9–12
A+
208 studentsRate it →

Questions about Spindale’s schools

Are Spindale’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of North Carolina: the public schools Spindale children attend outscore 58% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #116 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 77%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Spindale in?

Rutherford County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 7,394 students in 18 schools (2024–25).

Where do Spindale 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 Spindale’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 Spindale 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 Spindale families are saying about school.

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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.