For the 2026 school year, there are 16 public preschools serving 6,326 students in Cleveland County, NC.
The top-ranked public preschools in Cleveland County, NC are North Shelby, Boiling Springs Elementary School and Springmore Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cleveland County, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 57% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Cleveland County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public preschool average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Cleveland County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
Boiling Springs Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1522 Patrick Avenue
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8361
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8361
Gr: PK-5 | 555 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #33.
Springmore Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
616 Mcbrayer Homestead Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8235
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8235
Gr: PK-5 | 581 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #44.
Casar Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
436 Schoolhouse Road
Casar, NC 28020
(704) 476-8255
Casar, NC 28020
(704) 476-8255
Gr: PK-5 | 279 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #55.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1166 Wyke Road
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8390
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8390
Gr: PK-5 | 425 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Grover Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
206 Carolina Avenue
Grover, NC 28073
(704) 476-8351
Grover, NC 28073
(704) 476-8351
Gr: PK-4 | 323 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
West Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
500 W Mountain Street
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8345
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8345
Gr: PK-4 | 287 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Bethware Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
115 Bethware Drive
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8346
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8346
Gr: PK-4 | 530 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
East Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
600 Cleveland Avenue
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8356
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8356
Gr: PK-4 | 203 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
James Love Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
309 James Love Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8385
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8385
Gr: PK-5 | 356 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #1111.
Fallston Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
112 Gary Street
Fallston, NC 28042
(704) 476-8240
Fallston, NC 28042
(704) 476-8240
Gr: PK-5 | 487 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1212.
North Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
900 N Ramseur Street
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8225
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8225
Gr: PK-4 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1313.
Union Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1440 Union Church Road
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8250
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8250
Gr: PK-5 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1414.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1907 Stony Point Road
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8260
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8260
Gr: PK-5 | 386 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1515.
Township Three Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
526 Davis Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8245
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8245
Gr: PK-5 | 541 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1616.
Elizabeth Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
220 S Post Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8371
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8371
Gr: PK-5 | 581 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
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 preschools in Cleveland County, NC?
The top-ranked public preschools in Cleveland County, NC include North Shelby, Boiling Springs Elementary School and Springmore Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Cleveland County?
16 public preschools are located in Cleveland County.
What is the racial composition of students in Cleveland County?
Cleveland County public preschools minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public preschools average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Cleveland County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Cleveland County include: West Elementary School vs. East Elementary School, Springmore Elementary School vs. Boiling Springs Elementary School, Grover Elementary School vs. Bethware Elementary School
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