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Polk Central Elementary School

Q: Is Polk Central Elementary School a good school?

Polk Central Elementary School ranks 815 th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

815^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 45% of North Carolina elementary schools

Summary

Polk Central Elementary School in Mill Spring, North Carolina, serves 379 students in grades PK–5 and is part of Polk County Schools. Once a consistently high-performing school, Polk Central has seen a dramatic decline: it fell from the 90th percentile statewide (5 stars) in 2022–23 to the 45th percentile (2 stars) in 2025–26, making it the lowest-ranked elementary school in its district. By contrast, Saluda Elementary School in the same district sits at the 88th percentile, while Tryon Elementary School and Sunny View Elementary School both rank at the 67th percentile.

Nearly one in three Polk Central students (29.3%) was chronically absent in 2024–25, well above Tryon Elementary School (13.7%), Sunny View Elementary School (18.5%), and Saluda Elementary School (18.8%). These schools serve similarly high-poverty populations, so poverty alone does not explain the attendance gap. Academically, the picture is uneven: 5th-grade math (69.4% proficient) still exceeds the state average (62.9%), but 3rd-grade reading proficiency has fallen from 72.9% to just 48.4% over two years, well below the state average of 55.6%. Meanwhile, the student-teacher ratio has climbed from 11.3 in 2022–23 to 15.9 in 2024–25, much higher than Saluda Elementary School's 10.3 or Sunny View Elementary School's 11.8.

The good news is that Polk Central's decline is not inevitable. The school served an almost identical high-need population when it ranked among North Carolina's top 10% of elementary schools as recently as 2022–23, and its 5th-grade math results remain genuinely competitive. High-poverty peers like Saluda Elementary School and Rutherfordton Elementary School demonstrate that strong outcomes are achievable under similar circumstances. The clearest red flags — chronic absenteeism, rising class sizes, and weakening early-grade reading — are all addressable with targeted efforts. If the school can reverse those trends, its own history suggests recovery is well within reach.

379

Students ?

15.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

99.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2141 South NC9 Hwy
Mill Spring, NC 28756-9771

(828) 894-8233

District: Polk County Schools

Students who attend Polk Central Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Polk County Middle School
High:	Polk County High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

78.9%

Hispanic:

10.3%

African American:

5.3%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

Compare Polk Central Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 92nd percentile in 2016 → 45th in 2026

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 47 percentile points since 2016

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school57%

District avg66%

North Carolina avg61%

815^th of 1,492

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Bottom 45%▼ down 47 pts since 2016

From top 8% (2016) to bottom 45% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

57^th of 246Polk County Schools among North Carolina districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	45.5	815 of 1492	45.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	59.6	570 of 1490	61.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	63.3	521 of 1505	65.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	85.9	151 of 1502	89.9%	★★★★★
2022	78.4	265 of 1514	82.5%	★★★★☆
2021	87.8	156 of 1489	89.5%	★★★★☆
2019	82.4	203 of 1473	86.2%	★★★★☆
2018	89.4	101 of 1434	93.0%	★★★★★
2017	84.8	151 of 1429	89.4%	★★★★☆
2016	88.1	113 of 1425	92.1%	★★★★★
2015	89.9	85 of 1440	94.1%	★★★★★
2014	74.9	315 of 1390	77.3%	★★★★☆
2013	62.6	479 of 1403	65.9%	★★★☆☆
2012	77.9	247 of 1388	82.2%	★★★★☆
2011	81.8	169 of 1381	87.8%	★★★★☆
2010	80.8	180 of 1363	86.8%	★★★★☆
2009	84.4	136 of 1354	90.0%	★★★★★
2008	68.7	376 of 1324	71.6%	★★★★☆
2007	53.7	675 of 1293	47.8%	★★☆☆☆
2006	61.7	511 of 1276	60.0%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2021	80.3	59 of 646	90.9%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	43.7	839 of 1447	42.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	64.0	468 of 1451	67.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	65.6	449 of 1455	69.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	86.2	136 of 1459	90.7%	★★★★★
2022	76.0	283 of 1458	80.6%	★★★★☆
2021	86.9	135 of 1440	90.6%	★★★★★
2019	73.3	327 of 1424	77.0%	★★★★☆
2018	81.6	193 of 1405	86.3%	★★★★☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	38.6	604 of 710	14.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	56.0	367 of 669	45.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	68.1	100 of 582	82.8%	★★★★☆
2021	63.6	210 of 494	57.5%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2024	84.8	84 of 951	91.2%	★★★★★
2022	95.3	20 of 893	97.8%	★★★★★
2019	87.9	46 of 865	94.7%	★★★★★
2018	85.8	60 of 851	92.9%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	41.0	879 of 1434	38.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	50.4	678 of 1437	52.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	61.2	477 of 1450	67.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	90.4	49 of 1437	96.6%	★★★★★
2022	71.6	261 of 1366	80.9%	★★★★☆
2021	91.2	48 of 1329	96.4%	★★★★★
2019	88.8	64 of 1361	95.3%	★★★★★
2018	91.9	35 of 1332	97.4%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	49.4	723 of 1451	50.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	52.2	681 of 1450	53.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	58.9	586 of 1464	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	81.7	205 of 1461	86.0%	★★★★☆
2022	78.1	260 of 1464	82.2%	★★★★☆
2021	84.1	181 of 1444	87.5%	★★★★☆
2019	86.8	137 of 1430	90.4%	★★★★★
2018	92.8	47 of 1413	96.7%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	57.4	245 of 821	70.2%	★★★★☆
2024	30.1	601 of 801	25.0%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	28.9	905 of 1146	21.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	46.0	670 of 1172	42.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	44.8	692 of 1166	40.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	73.9	266 of 1183	77.5%	★★★★☆
2022	60.9	433 of 1194	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	81.0	170 of 1172	85.5%	★★★★☆
2019	72.4	283 of 1183	76.1%	★★★★☆
2018	82.4	153 of 1178	87.0%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Hispanic (2024)91st percentile+26 vs school

Disabled (2021)91st percentile~ school

Special Education (2025)70th percentile+8 vs school

Male (2026)50th percentile+5 vs school

Female (2026)42nd percentile-3 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)39th percentile-7 vs school

White (2026)21st percentile-24 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2025)15th percentile-47 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics60%-3 vs state

Science59%-8 vs state

Reading54%-3 vs state

★

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Schools Near Polk Central Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				EOG Mathematics (2026)			EOG Reading (2026)			EOG Science (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	EOG Mathematics 3rd Grade	EOG Mathematics 4th Grade	EOG Mathematics 5th Grade	EOG Reading 3rd Grade	EOG Reading 4th Grade	EOG Reading 5th Grade	EOG Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Polk Central Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2141 South NC9 Hwy	Mill Spring	28756	Polk County	Polk County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 894-8233	379	24	15.9	99.2%	299 (78.9%)	20 (5.3%)	39 (10.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (5.3%)	45.5	815^th of 1492 public elementary schools	45.4%		59.6	570^th of 1490 public elementary schools	61.7%	245	56.5	56.4	69.4	48.4	60.0	53.1	59.2	$12,367	$1,550	$10,818
Sunny View Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	86 Sunny View School Road	Mill Spring	28756	Polk County	Polk County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 894-1050	120	10	11.8	97.5%	115 (95.8%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.7%)	1 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.7%)	65.8	492^nd of 1492 public elementary schools	67.0%		60.3	562^nd of 1490 public elementary schools	62.3%	70	73.3	90.0	76.5	60.0	80.0	47.1	47.1	$15,864	$1,636	$14,228
Tryon Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	100 School Place	Tryon	28782	Polk County	Polk County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 859-6584	367	27	13.7	99.2%	238 (64.9%)	36 (9.8%)	64 (17.4%)	4 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (6.8%)	65.5	498^th of 1492 public elementary schools	66.6%		66.1	465^th of 1490 public elementary schools	68.8%	33	89.1	70.0	58.0	72.7	71.7	48.0	58.0	$12,033	$1,081	$10,952
Rutherfordton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	201 Bob Hardin Road	Rutherfordton	28139	Rutherford County	Rutherford County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 287-3778	397	24	16.4	95.2%	279 (70.3%)	34 (8.6%)	38 (9.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	46 (11.6%)	85.5	173^rd of 1492 public elementary schools	88.4%		74.7	320^th of 1490 public elementary schools	78.5%	147	80.9	79.1	79.7	69.6	70.1	73.4	86.2	$10,825	$1,582	$9,243
Spindale Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	161 N Oak St	Spindale	28160	Rutherford County	Rutherford County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 286-2861	337	20	16.4	95.3%	168 (49.9%)	96 (28.5%)	39 (11.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (10.1%)	40.5	899^th of 1492 public elementary schools	39.7%		32.8	1040^th of 1490 public elementary schools	30.2%	141	72.3	56.9	50.0	53.2	40.4	44.4	66.7	$10,759	$1,904	$8,854
Saluda Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	214 E Main Street	Saluda	28773	Polk County	Polk County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 894-1040	142	14	10.3	97.9%	125 (88.0%)	2 (1.4%)	10 (7.0%)	1 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (2.8%)	84.3	185^th of 1492 public elementary schools	87.6%		91.2	92^nd of 1490 public elementary schools	93.8%	93	559.4	100.0	63.6	100.0	80.0	54.5	72.7	$13,956	$1,586	$12,371
Harris Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3330 US 221 S Hwy	Forest City	28043	Rutherford County	Rutherford County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 248-2354	434	27	16.1	95.9%	367 (84.6%)	5 (1.2%)	37 (8.5%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (5.3%)	76.5	294^th of 1492 public elementary schools	80.3%		80.1	242^nd of 1490 public elementary schools	83.8%	52	91.1	74.3	69.7	80.4	57.1	64.5	77.6	$9,551	$1,364	$8,186
Pinnacle Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1204 Painters Gap Road	Rutherfordton	28139	Rutherford County	Rutherford County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 287-3440	254	16	16.0	96.5%	209 (82.3%)	14 (5.5%)	22 (8.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (3.5%)	53	680^th of 1492 public elementary schools	54.4%		61.5	539^th of 1490 public elementary schools	63.8%	141	91.8	69.5	54.5	73.5	61.0	39.4	53.0	$11,086	$1,573	$9,513
Dana Elementary	Public	1-5	690 Ridge Road	Hendersonville	28792	Henderson County	Henderson County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 685-7743	403	30	13.6	99.3%	157 (39.0%)	4 (1.0%)	227 (56.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	13 (3.2%)	19.9	1278^th of 1492 public elementary schools	14.3%		10.2	1419^th of 1490 public elementary schools	4.8%	141	62.0	46.4	45.8	36.0	42.0	38.9	41.7	$10,155	$1,652	$8,503
Forest City-Dunbar Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	286 Learning Parkway	Forest City	28043	Rutherford County	Rutherford County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 245-4978	459	25	18.4	98.3%	140 (30.5%)	161 (35.1%)	89 (19.4%)	8 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	61 (13.3%)	27.8	1143^rd of 1492 public elementary schools	23.4%		72.3	357^th of 1490 public elementary schools	76.0%	786	53.6	45.6	46.1	41.1	52.9	47.4	55.3	$12,235	$3,287	$8,948

Frequently Asked Questions about Polk Central Elementary School

What district is Polk Central Elementary School in?

Polk County Schools

What is the racial makeup of Polk Central Elementary School?

Students at Polk Central Elementary School are 79% White, 10% Hispanic, 5% African American, 5% Two or more races.

What schools do graduates of Polk Central Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Polk Central Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Polk County Middle School
High : Polk County High School

How many students attend Polk Central Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 379 students attended Polk Central Elementary School.

Is Polk Central Elementary School a good school?

Polk Central Elementary School ranks 815^th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Rate Polk Central Elementary School!

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Schools in Mill Spring, NC

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Latest North Carolina data All new data »

2017–18 through 2025–26 attendance data & graduation ratesSep 2, 2026

2025–26 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 2, 2026

2016–17 through 2024–25 graduation ratesSep 3, 2025

2024–25 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 3, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.