Total enrollment
7,394
-864 (-10%) vs SY 2017-18
18 schools in Rutherford County Schools
North Carolina · 7,394 students · 6 cities
Rutherford County Schools, North Carolina runs 18 public K-12 schools today, teaching approximately 7,394 students across 10 elementary, 3 middle, and 5 high.
7-year change in Rutherford County Schools
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
18
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
68%
was 72%
% Hispanic
12%
was 8%
% Black
11%
was 12%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-S Central High School | Rutherfordton | High | 09-12 | 763 |
| East Rutherford High School | Bostic | High | 09-12 | 623 |
| Chase High School | Forest City | High | 09-12 | 596 |
| Ellenboro Elementary School | Ellenboro | Elementary | PK-05 | 567 |
| R-S Middle School | Rutherfordton | Middle | 06-08 | 561 |
| East Rutherford Middle School | Bostic | Middle | 06-08 | 533 |
| Chase Middle School | Forest City | Middle | 06-08 | 484 |
| Forrest W. Hunt Elementary School | Forest City | Elementary | PK-05 | 460 |
| Forest City-Dunbar Elementary School | Forest City | Elementary | PK-05 | 459 |
| Harris Elementary School | Forest City | Elementary | PK-05 | 434 |
| Rutherfordton Elementary School | Rutherfordton | Elementary | PK-05 | 397 |
| Spindale Elementary School | Spindale | Elementary | PK-05 | 337 |
| Pinnacle Elementary School | Rutherfordton | Elementary | PK-05 | 254 |
| Mt. Vernon-Ruth Elementary School | Forest City | Elementary | PK-05 | 231 |
| Sunshine Elementary School | Bostic | Elementary | PK-05 | 217 |
| Rutherford Early College High School | Spindale | High | 09-13 | 208 |
| Cliffside Elementary School | Cliffside | Elementary | KG-05 | 188 |
| Rutherford Opportunity Center | Forest City | High | 06-12 | 82 |
About Rutherford County Schools
Rutherford County Schools is a rural-scale public-school district in North Carolina. The district operates 18 schools and teaches approximately 7,394 students.
Looking at the level breakdown, Rutherford County Schools is made up of 10 elementary, 3 middle, and 5 high schools.
Average enrollment per school in Rutherford County Schools is about 411, meaningfully below the North Carolina average of roughly 571.
Looking at the last 7 years. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment decreased 10%: 8,258 students in SY 2017-18 versus 7,394 in SY 2024-25. On the demographic side, White enrollment moved from 72% to 68% over the same window.
On allk12, the community for Rutherford County Schools discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.