Top 10 Best Cleveland County Public Schools (2024-25)

For the 2024-25 school year, there are 30 public schools serving 16,898 students in Cleveland County, NC (there are 5 private schools, serving 247 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Cleveland County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Cleveland County, NC are Cleveland Echs, Thomas Jefferson Class Academy and Pinnacle Classical Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cleveland County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 60% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Cleveland County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Cleveland County (2024-25)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Cleveland Echs
Magnet School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 85-89% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1800 E. Marion Street
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8232
Grades: 9-13
| 219 students
Rank: #22.
Thomas Jefferson Class Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2527 Us 221a Hwy
Mooresboro, NC 28114
(828) 657-9998
Grades: K-12
| 1,360 students
Rank: #33.
Pinnacle Classical Academy
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2401 Joes Lake Rd
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 740-4040
Grades: K-12
| 1,132 students
Rank: #44.
Crest High School
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
800 Old Boiling Springs
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8331
Grades: 9-12
| 1,114 students
Rank: #55.
Kings Mountain High School
Magnet School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
500 Phifer Road
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8330
Grades: 9-12
| 1,236 students
Rank: #66.
North Shelby
Special Education School
Magnet School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1701 Charles Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8230
Grades: PK-12
| 83 students
Rank: #77.
Boiling Springs Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1522 Patrick Avenue
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8361
Grades: PK-5
| 549 students
Rank: #88.
Burns High School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
307 E Stagecoach Trail
Lawndale, NC 28090
(704) 476-8335
Grades: 9-12
| 934 students
Rank: #99.
Springmore Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
616 Mcbrayer Homestead Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8235
Grades: PK-5
| 553 students
Rank: #1010.
Casar Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
436 Schoolhouse Road
Casar, NC 28020
(704) 476-8255
Grades: PK-5
| 278 students
Rank: #1111.
Jefferson Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1166 Wyke Road
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8390
Grades: PK-5
| 429 students
Rank: #12 - 1412. - 14.
Grover Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
206 Carolina Avenue
Grover, NC 28073
(704) 476-8351
Grades: PK-4
| 320 students
Rank: #12 - 1412. - 14.
Shelby High School
Magnet School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
230 E Dixon Boulevard
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8325
Grades: 9-12
| 825 students
Rank: #12 - 1412. - 14.
West Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
500 W Mountain Street
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8345
Grades: PK-4
| 290 students
Rank: #1515.
Kings Mountain Intermediate
Magnet School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
227 Kings Mountain Boulevard
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8366
Grades: 5-6
| 627 students
Rank: #16 - 1816. - 18.
Bethware Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
115 Bethware Drive
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8346
Grades: PK-4
| 515 students
Rank: #16 - 1816. - 18.
East Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
600 Cleveland Avenue
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8356
Grades: PK-4
| 214 students
Rank: #16 - 1816. - 18.
James Love Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
309 James Love Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8385
Grades: PK-5
| 350 students
Rank: #1919.
Fallston Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
112 Gary Street
Fallston, NC 28042
(704) 476-8240
Grades: PK-5
| 456 students
Rank: #2020.
Kings Mountain Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1000 Phifer Road
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8340
Grades: 7-8
| 712 students
Rank: #2121.
North Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
900 N Ramseur Street
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8225
Grades: PK-4
| 263 students
Rank: #2222.
Union Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1440 Union Church Road
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8250
Grades: PK-5
| 423 students
Rank: #2323.
Burns Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
215 Shady Grove Road
Lawndale, NC 28090
(704) 476-8223
Grades: 6-8
| 734 students
Rank: #2424.
Crest Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
315 Beaverdam Church Rd
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8221
Grades: 6-8
| 849 students
Rank: #2525.
Washington Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1907 Stony Point Road
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8260
Grades: PK-5
| 415 students
Rank: #2626.
Township Three Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
526 Davis Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8245
Grades: PK-5
| 529 students
Rank: #2727.
Cleveland Innovation
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
400 W Marion St
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8000
Grades: K-12
| 182 students
Rank: #2828.
Shelby Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1480 South Dekalb Street
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8328
Grades: 6-8
| 630 students
Rank: #2929.
Elizabeth Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
220 S Post Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8371
Grades: PK-5
| 569 students
Rank: #3030.
Turning Point Academy
Alternative School
Magnet School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
409 West Sumter Street
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8399
Grades: 6-12
| 108 students
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Cleveland County, NC

Cleveland County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
500 W Parker Street
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 734-5677
Grades: 7-12
| 39 students
220 South Post Rd
Shelby, NC 28152
(919) 807-3690
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
1100 Blanton Street
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8386
Grades: PK-4
| 209 students
410 Forest Hill Drive
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8381
Grades: PK-4
| 220 students
500 W Parker Street
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 734-5677
Grades: 6-11
| 56 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in Cleveland County, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Cleveland County, NC include Cleveland Echs, Thomas Jefferson Class Academy and Pinnacle Classical Academy.
How many public schools are located in Cleveland County?
30 public schools are located in Cleveland County.
What percentage of students in Cleveland County go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Cleveland County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Cleveland County?
Cleveland County public schools minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Cleveland County are often viewed compared to one another?

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