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Cleveland County Schools

Item: Cleveland County Schools
Rating: 6
Author: Public School Review

400 West Marion Street
Shelby, NC 28150

( shown in map)

Top 50%

Tel: (704) 476-8000

www.clevelandcountyschools.org

Top Rankings

Cleveland County Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:

Overview

This School District

This State (NC)

# Schools

28 Schools

759 Schools

# Students

14,458 Students

565,383 Students

# Teachers

948 Teachers

33,426 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

15:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Cleveland County Schools	North Carolina
Kind	8	20
1	6	20
2	6	20
3	9	20
4	8	20
5	10	22
6	16	32
7	34	34
8	30	35
9	1,366	392
10	1,168	359
11	1,135	334
12	937	297

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District Rank

Cleveland County Schools, which is ranked within the top 50% 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 84% has decreased from 88% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (NC)

#139 out of 325 school districts
(Top 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Cleveland County Schools
2023	#139
2022	#139
2021	#135
2019	#126
2018	#107
2017	#147
2016	#144
2015	#122
2014	#104
2013	#93
2012	#92

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(21-22)

56%

51%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Cleveland County Schools	North Carolina
2022	56%	51%
2021	47%	42%
2019	47%	42%
2018	46%	48%
2017	47%	47%
2016	46%	47%
2015	44%	44%
2014	44%	43%
2013	42%	42%
2012	86%	82%
2011	85%	82%

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48%

50%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Cleveland County Schools	North Carolina
2022	48%	50%
2021	49%	47%
2019	45%	46%
2018	46%	47%
2017	44%	46%
2016	45%	47%
2015	47%	46%
2014	47%	46%
2013	45%	45%
2012	76%	73%
2011	75%	70%

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65%

63%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Cleveland County Schools	North Carolina
2022	65%	63%
2021	63%	61%

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(21-22)

86%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Cleveland County Schools	North Carolina
2022	86%	86%
2021	86%	85%
2020	88%	86%
2019	87%	85%
2018	88%	86%
2017	90%	88%
2016	88%	88%
2015	87%	87%
2014	85%	86%
2013	83%	85%
2012	78%	83%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.60

0.70

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Cleveland County Schools	North Carolina
2023	0.60	0.71
2022	0.59	0.70
2021	0.57	0.69
2020	0.57	0.68
2019	0.57	0.68
2018	0.54	0.67
2017	0.54	0.67
2016	0.54	0.66
2015	0.53	0.66
2014	0.53	0.65
2013	0.53	0.65
2012	0.53	0.64
2011	0.52	0.64
2010	0.49	0.61
2009	0.48	0.61
2008	0.48	0.61
2007	0.48	0.60
2006	0.47	0.58
2005	0.47	0.58
2004	0.41	0.57
2003	0.41	0.56
2002	0.39	0.55
2001	0.39	0.53
2000	0.38	0.53
1999	0.38	0.52
1998	0.38	0.52
1997	0.38	0.50
1996	0.38	0.50
1995	0.37	0.49
1994	0.37	0.48
1993	0.37	0.48
1992	0.38	0.48
1991	0.39	0.48

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% American Indian

n/a

% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2005-2023)
Year	Cleveland County Schools	North Carolina
2023	1%	4%
2022	1%	4%
2021	1%	4%
2020	1%	3%
2019	1%	3%
2014	1%	3%
2013	1%	3%
2012	1%	3%
2011	2%	2%
2010	1%	3%
2009	1%	2%
2008	2%	3%
2007	1%	3%
2006	1%	2%
2005	1%	2%

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% Hispanic

20%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1999-2023)
Year	Cleveland County Schools	North Carolina
2023	8%	20%
2022	8%	20%
2021	7%	19%
2020	6%	18%
2019	6%	18%
2018	6%	17%
2017	6%	17%
2016	6%	16%
2015	6%	16%
2014	5%	15%
2013	5%	14%
2012	5%	13%
2011	4%	13%
2010	4%	11%
2009	3%	11%
2008	4%	11%
2007	4%	10%
2006	3%	8%
2005	2%	8%
2004	3%	7%
2003	2%	6%
2002	2%	5%
2001	1%	4%
2000	1%	4%
1999	1%	3%

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% Black

27%

24%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Cleveland County Schools	North Carolina
2023	27%	25%
2022	27%	25%
2021	27%	25%
2020	27%	25%
2019	27%	25%
2018	27%	26%
2017	27%	26%
2016	28%	26%
2015	27%	26%
2014	26%	26%
2013	26%	26%
2012	26%	26%
2011	26%	26%
2010	30%	31%
2009	30%	31%
2008	28%	29%
2007	29%	29%
2006	30%	32%
2005	30%	31%
2004	24%	31%
2003	25%	31%
2002	24%	31%
2001	24%	31%
2000	24%	31%
1999	24%	31%
1998	23%	30%
1997	24%	31%
1996	25%	31%
1995	24%	30%
1994	24%	30%
1993	24%	30%
1992	25%	30%
1991	26%	30%

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% White

56%

45%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Cleveland County Schools	North Carolina
2023	57%	44%
2022	58%	45%
2021	59%	46%
2020	60%	48%
2019	60%	48%
2018	62%	49%
2017	62%	49%
2016	62%	50%
2015	63%	50%
2014	64%	51%
2013	64%	52%
2012	63%	53%
2011	64%	53%
2010	65%	54%
2009	66%	54%
2008	66%	55%
2007	66%	56%
2006	66%	56%
2005	67%	57%
2004	73%	58%
2003	73%	59%
2002	74%	60%
2001	75%	61%
2000	75%	61%
1999	75%	62%
1998	76%	63%
1997	75%	64%
1996	75%	64%
1995	76%	65%
1994	76%	66%
1993	76%	66%
1992	75%	66%
1991	74%	66%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Cleveland County Schools	North Carolina
2023	7%	6%
2022	6%	5%
2021	6%	5%
2020	6%	5%
2019	6%	5%
2018	5%	4%
2017	5%	4%
2016	4%	4%
2015	4%	4%
2014	4%	4%
2013	4%	4%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $11,058 in this school district is less than the state median of $11,191. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $11,102 is less than the state median of $11,616. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

This School District

This State (NC)

Total Revenue

$160 MM

$17,307 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Cleveland County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$160 MM	$8 MM
2022	$158 MM	$8 MM
2021	$160 MM	$8 MM
2020	$158 MM	$8 MM
2019	$151 MM	$8 MM
2018	$159 MM	$8 MM
2017	$151 MM	$8 MM
2016	$142 MM	$8 MM
2015	$152 MM	$18 MM
2014	$141 MM	$10 MM
2012	$150 MM	$17 MM
2011	$160 MM	$19 MM
2010	$152 MM	$18 MM
2009	$155 MM	$19 MM
2008	$148 MM	$18 MM
2007	$148 MM	$18 MM
2006	$139 MM	$15 MM
2005	$132 MM	$15 MM
2004	$73 MM	$17 MM
2003	$65 MM	$17 MM
2002	$68 MM	$16 MM
2001	$67 MM	$17 MM
2000	$66 MM	$20 MM
1999	$61 MM	$23 MM
1998	$54 MM	$26 MM
1997	$47 MM	$34 MM
1996	$47 MM	$34 MM
1995	$44 MM	$32 MM

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Spending

$161 MM

$17,964 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Cleveland County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$161 MM	$8 MM
2022	$154 MM	$8 MM
2021	$161 MM	$8 MM
2020	$154 MM	$8 MM
2019	$151 MM	$7 MM
2018	$160 MM	$8 MM
2017	$153 MM	$9 MM
2016	$146 MM	$8 MM
2015	$149 MM	$18 MM
2014	$144 MM	$11 MM
2012	$149 MM	$16 MM
2011	$167 MM	$17 MM
2010	$149 MM	$18 MM
2009	$152 MM	$18 MM
2008	$144 MM	$17 MM
2007	$143 MM	$18 MM
2006	$136 MM	$15 MM
2005	$126 MM	$15 MM
2004	$70 MM	$16 MM
2003	$65 MM	$17 MM
2002	$62 MM	$15 MM
2001	$62 MM	$17 MM
2000	$64 MM	$20 MM
1999	$58 MM	$24 MM
1998	$52 MM	$26 MM
1997	$48 MM	$36 MM
1996	$44 MM	$33 MM
1995	$41 MM	$32 MM

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Revenue / Student

$11,058

$11,191

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Cleveland County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$11,098	$10,093
2022	$10,820	$9,918
2021	$11,243	$10,282
2020	$10,820	$9,918
2019	$10,190	$9,125
2018	$10,575	$9,419
2017	$9,882	$10,522
2016	$9,171	$9,128
2015	$9,712	$10,864
2014	$9,324	$9,046
2012	$9,218	$10,562
2011	$9,752	$12,703
2010	$9,235	$10,864
2009	$9,142	$11,105
2008	$8,860	$11,767
2007	$8,521	$9,479
2006	$8,002	$9,335
2005	$7,572	$8,913
2004	$7,369	$8,734
2003	$6,650	$8,577
2002	$7,009	$8,130
2001	$6,929	$7,294
2000	$6,927	$7,636
1999	$6,486	$7,252
1998	$5,976	$5,688
1997	$5,285	$5,690
1995	$5,170	$5,545
1992	$4,601	$4,737

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Spending / Student

$11,102

$11,616

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Cleveland County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$11,142	$9,807
2022	$10,587	$9,654
2021	$11,287	$9,990
2020	$10,587	$9,654
2019	$10,188	$8,949
2018	$10,674	$9,637
2017	$10,045	$11,583
2016	$9,398	$9,753
2015	$9,536	$10,591
2014	$9,530	$9,388
2012	$9,170	$10,336
2011	$10,171	$11,927
2010	$9,068	$10,591
2009	$8,914	$10,880
2008	$8,661	$11,136
2007	$8,230	$9,418
2006	$7,800	$8,813
2005	$7,200	$8,647
2004	$7,007	$8,413
2003	$6,663	$8,886
2002	$6,472	$7,903
2001	$6,429	$7,301
2000	$6,709	$7,650
1999	$6,195	$7,340
1998	$5,763	$5,663
1997	$5,348	$6,040
1995	$4,806	$5,570
1992	$4,473	$4,725

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Best Cleveland County Schools Public High Schools (2025-26)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Cleveland Echs

(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 85-89% )
:

10/

Top 5%

Add to Compare

1800 E. Marion Street
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8232

Gr: 9-13 | 214 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 45%

Rank: #22.

Crest High School

(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 59%)
:

Top 20%

Add to Compare

800 Old Boiling Springs
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8331

Gr: 9-12 | 1,101 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 39%

Rank: #33.

Kings Mountain High School

(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 62%)
:

Top 20%

Add to Compare

500 Phifer Road
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8330

Gr: 9-12 | 1,317 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 40%

Rank: #44.

North Shelby

Special Education School

(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
:

Top 20%

Add to Compare

1701 Charles Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8230

Gr: PK-12 | 77 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 45%

Rank: #55.

Burns High School

(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 64%)
:

Top 20%

Add to Compare

307 E Stagecoach Trail
Lawndale, NC 28090
(704) 476-8335

Gr: 9-12 | 922 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 29%

Rank: #66.

Shelby High School

(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

230 E Dixon Boulevard
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8325

Gr: 9-12 | 790 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 67%

Rank: #77.

Cleveland Innovation

(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

400 W Marion St
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8000

Gr: K-12 | 164 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 36%

Rank: #88.

Turning Point Academy

Alternative School

(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

409 West Sumter Street
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8399

Gr: 6-12 | 148 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 56%

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Quick Facts (2025-26)

District size: 28 schools
Grades: PK-13
Enrollment: 14,458 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
Minority Enrollment: 44%
: 86% (Top 50% in NC)
: Top 50%
: 56% (Top 50%)
: 48% (Btm 50%)
: 65% (Top 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education