Top Rankings
Polk County Schools School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Student Attention
Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 7 public schools serving 2,156 students in Polk County Schools School District. This district's average testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina.
Public Schools in Polk County Schools School District have an average math proficiency score of 65% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 67% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 24% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
7 Schools
2,764 Schools
# Students
2,156 Students
1,547,014 Students
# Teachers
171 Teachers
100,085 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Polk County Schools School District, which is ranked within the top 20% of all 320 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 85-89% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#51 out of 325 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
66%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
67%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
74%
63%
Graduation Rate
85-89%
86%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.40
0.71
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
4%
% Hispanic
12%
21%
% Black
6%
25%
% White
76%
43%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $13,537 is higher than the state median of $11,187. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,184 is higher than the state median of $11,612. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$29 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$28 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$13,537
$11,187
Spending / Student
$13,184
$11,612
Best Polk County Schools School District Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Saluda Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
214 E Main Street
Saluda, NC 28773
(828) 894-1040
Saluda, NC 28773
(828) 894-1040
Grades: PK-5
| 145 students
Rank: #22.
Polk County High School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1681 East Nc 108 Hwy
Columbus, NC 28722
(828) 894-2525
Columbus, NC 28722
(828) 894-2525
Grades: 9-12
| 593 students
Rank: #33.
Tryon Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
100 School Place
Tryon, NC 28782
(828) 859-6584
Tryon, NC 28782
(828) 859-6584
Grades: PK-5
| 386 students
Rank: #44.
Polk Central Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2141 South Nc9 Hwy
Mill Spring, NC 28756
(828) 894-8233
Mill Spring, NC 28756
(828) 894-8233
Grades: PK-5
| 382 students
Rank: #55.
Polk County Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
321 Wolverine Trail
Mill Spring, NC 28756
(828) 894-2215
Mill Spring, NC 28756
(828) 894-2215
Grades: 6-8
| 471 students
Rank: #66.
Polk County Early College
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1545 East Nc 108 Hwy
Columbus, NC 28722
(828) 894-2698
Columbus, NC 28722
(828) 894-2698
Grades: 9-12
| 55 students
Rank: #77.
Sunny View Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
86 Sunny View School Road
Mill Spring, NC 28756
(828) 894-1050
Mill Spring, NC 28756
(828) 894-1050
Grades: PK-5
| 124 students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Polk County Schools School District?
Polk County Schools School District manages 7 public schools serving 2,156 students.
What is the rank of Polk County Schools School District?
Polk County Schools School District is ranked #59 out of 320 school districts in North Carolina (top 20%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of North Carolina school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 20%), Highest math proficiency (Top 20%), Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%) and Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Polk County Schools School District?
76% of Polk County Schools School District students are White, 12% of students are Hispanic, 6% of students are Black, 5% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Polk County Schools School District?
Polk County Schools School District has a student/teacher ratio of 13:1, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What is Polk County Schools School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $13,184 is higher than the state median of $11,612. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles
Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.
2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.
Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.
