For the 2025-26 school year, there are 9 public middle schools serving 5,826 students in Cleveland County, NC.
The top ranked public middle schools in Cleveland County, NC are Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy, Pinnacle Classical Academy and North Shelby. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cleveland County, NC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 59% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 50% statewide average). Middle schools in Cleveland County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of North Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public middle school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Cleveland County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy
Charter School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2527 Us 221a Hwy
Mooresboro, NC 28114
(828) 657-9998
Mooresboro, NC 28114
(828) 657-9998
Gr: K-12 | 1,428 student Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #22.
Pinnacle Classical Academy
Charter School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2401 Joes Lake Rd
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 740-4040
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 740-4040
Gr: K-12 | 1,165 student Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #33.
North Shelby
Special Education School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1701 Charles Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8230
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8230
Gr: PK-12 | 77 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #44.
Kings Mountain Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1000 Phifer Road
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8340
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8340
Gr: 7-8 | 664 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #55.
Burns Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
215 Shady Grove Road
Lawndale, NC 28090
(704) 476-8223
Lawndale, NC 28090
(704) 476-8223
Gr: 6-8 | 756 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #66.
Crest Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
315 Beaverdam Church Rd
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8221
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8221
Gr: 6-8 | 833 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #77.
Cleveland Innovation
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
400 W Marion St
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8000
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8000
Gr: K-12 | 164 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #88.
Shelby Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1480 South Dekalb Street
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8328
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8328
Gr: 6-8 | 591 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #99.
Turning Point Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
409 West Sumter Street
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8399
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8399
Gr: 6-12 | 148 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Cleveland County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Davidson School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
500 W Parker Street
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 734-5677
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 734-5677
Gr: 7-12 | 39 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
1100 Blanton Street
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8386
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8386
Gr: PK-4 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
410 Forest Hill Drive
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8381
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8381
Gr: PK-4 | 220 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
West Road Intermediate School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
500 W Parker Street
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 734-5677
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 734-5677
Gr: 6-11 | 56 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in Cleveland County, NC?
The top ranked public middle schools in Cleveland County, NC include Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy, Pinnacle Classical Academy and North Shelby.
How many public middle schools are located in Cleveland County?
9 public middle schools are located in Cleveland County.
What is the racial composition of students in Cleveland County?
Cleveland County public middle schools minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public middle schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Cleveland County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Cleveland County include: Crest Middle School vs. Burns Middle School, Burns Middle School vs. Crest Middle School, Pinnacle Classical Academy vs. Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy
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