For the 2026 school year, there are 6 public preschools serving 2,300 students in Kinston, NC.
The top-ranked public preschools in Kinston, NC are Banks Elementary School, Contentnea-savannah School and Southwood Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Kinston, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 33% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Kinston have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public preschool average of 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Kinston, NC (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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 preschools in Kinston, NC?
The top-ranked public preschools in Kinston, NC include Banks Elementary School, Contentnea-savannah School and Southwood Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Kinston?
6 public preschools are located in Kinston.
What is the racial composition of students in Kinston?
Kinston public preschools minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public preschools average of 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).
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