For the 2025 school year, there are 26 public schools serving 14,544 students in Lincoln County, NC (there are 3 private schools, serving 411 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Lincoln County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Lincoln County, NC are Rock Springs Elementary School, Lincoln Charter School and North Lincoln High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lincoln County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Lincoln County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Lincoln County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Rock Springs Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3633 Hwy 16 N
Denver, NC 28037
(704) 483-2281
Denver, NC 28037
(704) 483-2281
Grades: PK-5
| 647 students
Rank: #22.
Lincoln Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
7834 Galway Lane
Denver, NC 28037
(704) 483-6611
Denver, NC 28037
(704) 483-6611
Grades: K-12
| 2,272 students
Rank: #33.
North Lincoln High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2737 Lee Lawing Road
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-1969
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-1969
Grades: 9-12
| 1,139 students
Rank: #44.
Catawba Springs Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
206 North Little Egypt Rd
Denver, NC 28037
(704) 736-1895
Denver, NC 28037
(704) 736-1895
Grades: PK-5
| 531 students
Rank: #55.
St. James Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1774 St James Church Road
Denver, NC 28037
(704) 736-1958
Denver, NC 28037
(704) 736-1958
Grades: PK-5
| 665 students
Rank: #66.
East Lincoln High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6471 Hwy 73
Denver, NC 28037
(704) 736-1860
Denver, NC 28037
(704) 736-1860
Grades: 9-12
| 1,090 students
Rank: #77.
Union Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4875 Reepsville Rd
Vale, NC 28168
(704) 276-1493
Vale, NC 28168
(704) 276-1493
Grades: PK-5
| 323 students
Rank: #88.
North Lincoln Middle School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1503 Amity Church Road
Denver, NC 28037
(704) 736-0262
Denver, NC 28037
(704) 736-0262
Grades: 6-8
| 751 students
Rank: #99.
Lincolnton High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
803 N Aspen St
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 735-3089
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 735-3089
Grades: 9-12
| 788 students
Rank: #1010.
East Lincoln Middle School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4137 Hwy 73
Iron Station, NC 28080
(704) 732-0761
Iron Station, NC 28080
(704) 732-0761
Grades: 6-8
| 748 students
Rank: #1111.
West Lincoln High School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
172 Shoal Rd
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-9453
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-9453
Grades: 9-12
| 733 students
Rank: #1212.
West Lake Preparatory Academy
Charter School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1691 Forney Creek
Denver, NC 28037
(704) 966-2202
Denver, NC 28037
(704) 966-2202
Grades: K-8
| 359 students
Rank: #1313.
Ge Massey Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
130 Newbold St
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 735-2322
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 735-2322
Grades: PK-5
| 370 students
Rank: #1414.
North Brook Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
642 Hwy 274
Vale, NC 28168
(704) 276-2479
Vale, NC 28168
(704) 276-2479
Grades: PK-5
| 351 students
Rank: #1515.
Iron Station Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4207 Hwy 27 E
Iron Station, NC 28080
(704) 736-4292
Iron Station, NC 28080
(704) 736-4292
Grades: PK-5
| 362 students
Rank: #1616.
Asbury Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
221 Salem Church Road
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-4766
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-4766
Grades: 6-12
| 29 students
Rank: #1717.
Childers Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2595 Rock Dam Road
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-9610
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-9610
Grades: PK-5
| 407 students
Rank: #1818.
West Lincoln Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
260 Shoal Rd
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 276-1760
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 276-1760
Grades: 6-8
| 546 students
Rank: #1919.
Banoak Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
7651 W Nc 10 Hwy
Vale, NC 28168
(704) 462-2849
Vale, NC 28168
(704) 462-2849
Grades: K-6
| 271 students
Rank: #2020.
Pumpkin Center Intermediate
(Math: 49% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3980 King Wilkinson Road
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-1504
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-1504
Grades: 3-5
| 309 students
Rank: #2121.
S Ray Lowder Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
350 Kennedy Dr
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 735-2741
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 735-2741
Grades: PK-5
| 280 students
Rank: #2222.
Lincolnton Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2361 Startown Road
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 735-1120
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 735-1120
Grades: 6-8
| 563 students
Rank: #2323.
Love Memorial Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1463 Love Memorial Sch Rd
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 735-5649
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 735-5649
Grades: PK-5
| 291 students
Rank: #2424.
Battleground Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
301 Jeb Seagle Dr
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-1626
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-1626
Grades: PK-5
| 419 students
Rank: n/an/a
Lcst
Vocational School
1 Timken Dr
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 732-4084
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 732-4084
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
3970 King Wilkinson Road
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-1394
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-1394
Grades: PK-2
| 300 students
Lincoln County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
301 Jeb Seagle Drive
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-1626
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-1626
Grades: 3-5
| 327 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Lincoln County, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Lincoln County, NC include Rock Springs Elementary School, Lincoln Charter School and North Lincoln High School.
How many public schools are located in Lincoln County?
26 public schools are located in Lincoln County.
What percentage of students in Lincoln County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Lincoln County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Lincoln County?
Lincoln County public schools minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Lincoln County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Lincoln County include: Union Elementary School vs. North Brook Elementary School, East Lincoln High School vs. North Lincoln High School, Love Memorial Elementary School vs. Childers Elementary School
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