For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public middle schools serving 5,826 students in Cleveland County, NC.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Cleveland County, NC are Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy, Pinnacle Classical Academy and North Shelby. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cleveland County, NC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 59% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 50% statewide average). Middle schools in Cleveland County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of North Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public middle school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Cleveland County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy
Charter School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2527 Us 221a Hwy
Mooresboro, NC 28114
(828) 657-9998
Mooresboro, NC 28114
(828) 657-9998
Gr: K-12 | 1,330 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #22.
Pinnacle Classical Academy
Charter School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2401 Joes Lake Rd
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 740-4040
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 740-4040
Gr: K-12 | 1,178 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #33.
North Shelby
Special Education School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1701 Charles Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8230
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8230
Gr: PK-12 | 76 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #44.
Kings Mountain Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1000 Phifer Road
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8340
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8340
Gr: 7-8 | 631 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #55.
Burns Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
215 Shady Grove Road
Lawndale, NC 28090
(704) 476-8223
Lawndale, NC 28090
(704) 476-8223
Gr: 6-8 | 744 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #66.
Crest Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
315 Beaver Dam Church Rd
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8221
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8221
Gr: 6-8 | 810 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #77.
Cleveland Innovation
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
400 W Marion St
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8163
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8163
Gr: K-12 | 187 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #88.
Shelby Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1480 South Dekalb Street
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8328
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8328
Gr: 6-8 | 588 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #99.
Turning Point Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
409 West Sumter Street
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8399
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8399
Gr: 6-12 | 142 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Cleveland County, NC?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Cleveland County, NC include Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy, Pinnacle Classical Academy and North Shelby.
How many public middle schools are located in Cleveland County?
9 public middle schools are located in Cleveland County.
What is the racial composition of students in Cleveland County?
Cleveland County public middle schools minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public middle schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Cleveland County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Cleveland County include: Crest Middle School vs. Burns Middle School, Burns Middle School vs. Crest Middle School, Pinnacle Classical Academy vs. Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.