Best Schools in Cleveland County, NC
Cleveland County, NC has 37 public schools (8 high, 7 middle, 18 elementary) serving 19,777 students. On average they score 54% on state proficiency tests against a projected 45%, so schools in Cleveland County meet expectations. Rankings below compare each school’s actual results with the projection for its socioeconomic context.
Best High Schools in Cleveland County, NC
The top high schools in Cleveland County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Cleveland Echs
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Cleveland County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 13 • 219 Students
2. Kings Mountain High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Cleveland County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1236 Students
3. Crest High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Cleveland County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1114 Students
4. Burns High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Cleveland County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 934 Students
5. Shelby High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Cleveland County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 825 Students
6. Bessemer City High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Gaston County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 566 Students
7. Hunter Huss High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Gaston County Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1120 Students
8. Turning Point Academy
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Cleveland County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 12 • 108 Students
Best Middle Schools in Cleveland County, NC
The top middle schools in Cleveland County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Kings Mountain Intermediate
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Cleveland County Schools • Public • Grades 5 - 6 • 627 Students
2. Crest Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Cleveland County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 849 Students
3. Kings Mountain Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Cleveland County Schools • Public • Grades 7 - 8 • 712 Students
4. Burns Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Cleveland County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 734 Students
5. Shelby Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Cleveland County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 630 Students
6. Bessemer City Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Gaston County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 500 Students
7. Southwest Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Gaston County Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 804 Students
Best Elementary Schools in Cleveland County, NC
The top elementary schools in Cleveland County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Casar Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Cleveland County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 278 Students
2. Springmore Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Cleveland County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 553 Students
3. Boiling Springs Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Cleveland County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 549 Students
4. Bethware Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Cleveland County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 4 • 515 Students
5. Grover Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Cleveland County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 4 • 320 Students
6. Jefferson Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Cleveland County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 429 Students
7. North Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Cleveland County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 4 • 263 Students
8. Union Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Cleveland County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 423 Students
9. Fallston Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Cleveland County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 456 Students
10. West Elementary
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Cleveland County Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 4 • 290 Students
Education & Community Snapshot in Cleveland County, NC
County-level factors that shape the learning environment around local schools.
Community Factors
Cleveland County, NC has a total population of 99,519 with 23% of that population attending schools. The adult high school graduation rate is 87%, and 21% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Students in Cleveland County, NC
K-12 Students
High School Graduates
Adults 25+ with HS diplomas
College Graduates
Adults 25+ with a Bachelor’s degree or higher
Demographics statistics provided by Best Neighborhood Cleveland County, NC.
Safety
Crime Grades summarize reported incidents per 1,000 residents. Use them as neighborhood context, not a school rating.
Overall Crime Grade
22.41 per 1,000 Residents
Violent Crime Grade
4.13 per 1,000 Residents
Property Crime Grade
18.28 per 1,000 Residents
Crime statistics provided by CrimeGrade in Cleveland County, NC.
Connectivity
Connectivity influences learning at home. We summarize internet infrastructure, typical download speed, and a digital connectivity index for Cleveland County, NC.
ISP Report Card
Internet Infrastructure Grade
Average Download Speed
Speed Most Residents Can Get
Digital Connectivity Index
ISP Connectivity Demand Report
To read more about these statistics, please visit Cleveland County, NC Internet Health Assessment.
Questions About Schools in Cleveland County, NC
How many schools are in Cleveland County, NC?
Cleveland County, NC has 37 public schools: 8 high schools, 7 middle schools and 18 elementary schools, serving 19,777 students in total.
How do schools in Cleveland County perform on state tests?
On average, 37 schools in Cleveland County score 54% proficient on state assessments. Given the socioeconomic context of their students we project 45%, so on average schools in Cleveland County meet expectations.
How does SchoolGrade rank the best schools in Cleveland County?
Every public school gets a SchoolGrade from A+ to F based on the share of students at or above the state proficiency bar. The Impact Grade compares that result with what we would expect given the school’s student and community context, so schools that outperform their circumstances stand out. Schools cannot pay to change a grade. Read the full methodology.
Best Schools in Cities Near Cleveland County, NC
Explore nearby cities to widen your school search.
- Actual: 45%
- Projected: 38%
- Impact Grade: Underperforms Expectations
- Actual: 52%
- Projected: 43%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 57%
- Projected: 53%
- Impact Grade: Doesn't Meet Expectations
- Actual: 59%
- Projected: 52%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 55%
- Projected: 51%
- Impact Grade: Doesn't Meet Expectations
- Actual: 59%
- Projected: 51%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 60%
- Projected: 45%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 55%
- Projected: 40%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 60%
- Projected: 54%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 55%
- Projected: 54%
- Impact Grade: Underperforms Expectations
Cities, towns and school districts in Cleveland County
6 places in Cleveland County with graded public schools. Each link opens that place's ranked schools.
Cities and towns (6)
School districts (1)
- Cleveland County Schools (28 schools)