For the 2025 school year, there are 13 public schools serving 5,274 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 37% (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 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Kinston, NC (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
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
Grades: 9-13
| 206 students
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
Grades: K-5
| 389 students
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
Grades: 6-8
| 582 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 483 students
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
Grades: K-5
| 445 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 706 students
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
Grades: PK-8
| 875 students
Rank: #88.
Children's Village Academy
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
701 North Adkin Street
Kinston, NC 28502
(252) 939-1958
Kinston, NC 28502
(252) 939-1958
Grades: K-8
| 149 students
Rank: #99.
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
Grades: K-5
| 235 students
Rank: #1010.
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
Grades: 6-8
| 429 students
Rank: #1111.
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
Grades: PK-5
| 270 students
Rank: #1212.
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
Grades: PK-5
| 433 students
Rank: #1313.
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
Grades: PK-12
| 72 students
Kinston, North Carolina Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
100 Bynum Blvd
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-4166
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-4166
Grades: K-5
| 207 students
Caswell Center (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
2415 West Vernon Ave
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 208-3410
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 208-3410
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
Dobbs School (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
3060 Dobbs Farm Rd
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 522-0511
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 522-0511
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Kennedy Home (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
2557 Cedar Dell Lane
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-4432
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-4432
Grades: K-12
| 71 students
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
Grades: K-8
| 297 students
Lewis School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
501 North Independence Street
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-3456
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-3456
Grades: 6-12
| 39 students
500 Marcella Dr
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-0225
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-0225
Grades: PK-5
| 376 students
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?
13 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 57% (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
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