Lenoir County Public Schools

2017 W Vernon Avenue
Kinston, NC 28504
(District boundaries shown in map)
3/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

Lenoir County Public Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:

Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public preschools serving 3,075 students in Lenoir County Public Schools. This district's average pre testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public pre schools in North Carolina.
Public Preschools in Lenoir County Public Schools have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 72% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public preschool average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
17 Schools
994 Schools
# Students
8,348 Students
464,055 Students
# Teachers
539 Teachers
33,275 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Lenoir County Public Schools, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 320 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 80% has decreased from 85% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (NC)
#243 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(21-22)
39%
51%
39%
50%
56%
63%
(21-22)
84%
86%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.66
0.72
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
4%
% Hispanic
17%
23%
% Black
46%
25%
% White
32%
41%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
6%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $10,136 in this school district is less than the state median of $11,192. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,737 is less than the state median of $11,617. The school district spending/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
This School District
This State (NC)
Total Revenue
$85 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$90 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$10,136
$11,192
Spending / Student
$10,737
$11,617

Best Lenoir County Public Schools Public Preschools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Banks Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2148 Falling Creek Rd
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-9470
Gr: PK-5 | 483 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #22.
Pink Hill Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2666 Hc Turner Road
Pink Hill, NC 28572
(252) 568-4176
Gr: PK-5 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #33.
Contentnea-savannah School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3400 Ferrell Road
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-8591
Gr: PK-8 | 875 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #44.
La Grange Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
402 W Railroad St
La Grange, NC 28551
(252) 566-4036
Gr: PK-5 | 503 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #55.
Southeast Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
201 Mcdaniels Street
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-4210
Gr: PK-5 | 270 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #66.
Northeast Elementary School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1002 E Highland Ave
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-4166
Gr: PK-5 | 433 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #77.
Lenoir County Learning Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2529 Cedar Dell Lane, Haigler-
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-4264
Gr: PK-12 | 72 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 81%

Recent Articles

Public School Rankings: Are They Accurate?
Public School Rankings: Are They Accurate?
Explore how accurate public school rankings really are, their limitations, and how parents can interpret them in 2026.
Public School Schedule Options Explained for Families
Public School Schedule Options Explained for Families
Learn how public school schedule options like year-round calendars, block scheduling, and later start times affect students and families in 2026.
How to Request Special Education Services at School Registration
How to Request Special Education Services at School Registration
A step-by-step guide for families on how to request special education services at school registration, including IEPs, 504 plans, timelines, and tips.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 17 schools
  • Grades: PK-13
  • Enrollment: 8,348 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 68%
  • : 84% (Btm 50% in NC)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 39% (Btm 50%)
  • : 39% (Btm 50%)
  • : 56% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

Quick Links