For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public schools serving 5,152 students in Kinston, NC (there are 5 private schools, serving 1,160 private students). 82% of all K-12 students in Kinston, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Kinston, NC are Lenoir County Early College High School, Moss Hill Elementary School and Woodington Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Kinston, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Kinston have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Kinston, NC (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lenoir County Early College High School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
231 Hwy 58 South
Kinston, NC 28502
(252) 233-6870
Kinston, NC 28502
(252) 233-6870
Gr: 9-13 | 217 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #22.
Moss Hill Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6040 Hwy 55 West
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 569-5071
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 569-5071
Gr: K-5 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #33.
Woodington Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4939 Hwy 258 South
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-9570
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-9570
Gr: 6-8 | 584 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #44.
Banks Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2148 Falling Creek Rd
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-9470
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-9470
Gr: PK-5 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #55.
Northwest Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1701 Old Well Rd
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-5143
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-5143
Gr: K-5 | 504 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #66.
Kinston High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2601 N Queen St
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-8067
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-8067
Gr: 9-12 | 659 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #77.
Contentnea-savannah School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3400 Ferrell Road
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-8591
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-8591
Gr: PK-8 | 789 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #88.
Southwood Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1245 Hwy 58 South
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-9081
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-9081
Gr: PK-5 | 218 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #99.
Rochelle Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
301 N Rochelle Blvd
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-4290
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-4290
Gr: 6-8 | 517 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1010.
Southeast Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
201 Mcdaniels Street
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-4210
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-4210
Gr: PK-5 | 326 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1111.
Northeast Elementary School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1002 E Highland Ave
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-4166
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-4166
Gr: PK-5 | 465 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1212.
Lenoir County Learning Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2529 Cedar Dell Lane, Haigler-
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-4264
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-4264
Gr: PK-12 | 66 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Kinston, North Carolina Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
100 Bynum Blvd
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-4166
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-4166
Gr: K-5 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Caswell Center (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
2415 West Vernon Ave
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 208-3410
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 208-3410
Gr: Inquire with school
Dobbs School (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
3060 Dobbs Farm Rd
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 522-0511
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 522-0511
Gr: K-12
Kennedy Home (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
2557 Cedar Dell Lane
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-4432
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-4432
Gr: K-12 | 71 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Kinston Charter Academy (Closed 2014)
Charter School
2000 Martin L King Jr Blvd
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 522-0210
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 522-0210
Gr: K-8 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Lewis School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
501 North Independence Street
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-3456
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-3456
Gr: 6-12 | 39 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
500 Marcella Dr
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-0225
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-0225
Gr: PK-5 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Kinston, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Kinston, NC include Lenoir County Early College High School, Moss Hill Elementary School and Woodington Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Kinston?
12 public schools are located in Kinston.
What percentage of students in Kinston go to public school?
82% of all K-12 students in Kinston are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Kinston?
Kinston public schools minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Kinston are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Kinston include: Rochelle Middle School vs. Woodington Middle School, Woodington Middle School vs. Rochelle Middle School
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