Top Rankings
Lenoir County School District 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 2026-27 school year, there are 5 public high schools serving 2,620 students in Lenoir County School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in North Carolina.
Public High Schools in Lenoir County School District have an average math proficiency score of 53% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 58% statewide average).
Public High School in Lenoir County School District have a Graduation Rate of 80%, which is less than the North Carolina average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Lenoir County Early College High School, with ≥90% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public high school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
17 Schools
758 Schools
# Students
8,302 Students
568,636 Students
# Teachers
537 Teachers
31,535 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Lenoir County School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 314 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.
Overall District Rank
#243 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)39%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
39%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
56%
63%
Graduation Rate
80%
86.5%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)32.9%
28.7%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.67
0.71
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
4%
% Hispanic
18%
21%
% Black
46%
25%
% White
30%
44%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
5%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $10,192 in this school district is less than the state median of $11,177. The school district revenue/student has declined by 18% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,796 is less than the state median of $11,601. The school district spending/student has declined by 14% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$85 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$90 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$10,192
$11,177
Spending / Student
$10,796
$11,601
Best Lenoir County School District Public High Schools (2026-27)
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.
South Lenoir High School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3355 Old Hwy 11 South
Deep Run, NC 28525
(252) 568-6161
Deep Run, NC 28525
(252) 568-6161
Gr: 9-12 | 721 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #33.
North Lenoir High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2400 Institute Road
La Grange, NC 28551
(252) 527-9184
La Grange, NC 28551
(252) 527-9184
Gr: 9-12 | 957 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #44.
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: #55.
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%
Recent Articles
School Leadership Matters: Evaluating a Principal
Learn how to evaluate a public school principal before enrolling by examining leadership stability, teacher support, communication, school culture, instructional priorities, discipline, family engagement, and measurable improvement efforts.
Comparing Before- and After-School Programs
Learn how to compare before- and after-school programs when choosing a public school, including hours, costs, staffing, safety, activities, enrollment rules, transportation, meals, and daily convenience for families.
Choosing a Public School During Budget Uncertainty
Learn which questions parents should ask when choosing a public school during budget uncertainty, including staffing, programs, class sizes, transportation, reserves, enrollment trends, and planned reductions ahead.
