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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Lincoln County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 26 public schools serving 14,544 students in Lincoln County, NC (there are 4 private schools, serving 429 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Lincoln County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Lincoln County, NC are Rock Springs Elementary School, Lincoln Charter School and North Lincoln High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lincoln County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 56% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Lincoln County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Lincoln County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Rock Springs Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3633 Hwy 16 N
Denver, NC 28037
(704) 483-2281
Gr: PK-5 | 639 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #22.
Lincoln Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
7834 Galway Lane
Denver, NC 28037
(704) 483-6611
Gr: K-12 | 2,316 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #33.
North Lincoln High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2737 Lee Lawing Road
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-1969
Gr: 9-12 | 1,126 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #44.
Catawba Springs Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
206 North Little Egypt Rd
Denver, NC 28037
(704) 736-1895
Gr: PK-5 | 543 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #55.
St. James Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1774 St James Church Road
Denver, NC 28037
(704) 736-1958
Gr: PK-5 | 653 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #66.
East Lincoln High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
6471 Hwy 73
Denver, NC 28037
(704) 736-1860
Gr: 9-12 | 1,047 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #77.
Union Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4875 Reepsville Rd
Vale, NC 28168
(704) 276-1493
Gr: PK-5 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #88.
North Lincoln Middle School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1503 Amity Church Road
Denver, NC 28037
(704) 736-0262
Gr: 6-8 | 774 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #99.
Lincolnton High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
803 N Aspen St
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 735-3089
Gr: 9-12 | 797 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1010.
East Lincoln Middle School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4137 Hwy 73
Iron Station, NC 28080
(704) 732-0761
Gr: 6-8 | 738 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1111.
West Lincoln High School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
172 Shoal Rd
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-9453
Gr: 9-12 | 731 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1212.
West Lake Preparatory Academy
Charter School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1691 Forney Creek
Denver, NC 28037
(704) 966-2202
Gr: K-9 | 402 students Student-teacher ratio: 57:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1313.
Ge Massey Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
130 Newbold St
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 735-2322
Gr: PK-5 | 370 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1414.
North Brook Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
642 Hwy 274
Vale, NC 28168
(704) 276-2479
Gr: PK-5 | 344 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1515.
Iron Station Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4207 Hwy 27 E
Iron Station, NC 28080
(704) 736-4292
Gr: PK-5 | 367 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1616.
Asbury Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
221 Salem Church Road
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-4766
Gr: 6-12 | 34 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1717.
Childers Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2595 Rock Dam Road
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-9610
Gr: PK-5 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1818.
West Lincoln Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
260 Shoal Rd
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 276-1760
Gr: 6-8 | 563 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1919.
Banoak Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
7651 W Nc 10 Hwy
Vale, NC 28168
(704) 462-2849
Gr: K-6 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #2020.
Pumpkin Center Intermediate
(Math: 49% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3980 King Wilkinson Road
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-1504
Gr: 3-5 | 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #2121.
S Ray Lowder Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
350 Kennedy Dr
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 735-2741
Gr: PK-5 | 306 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #2222.
Lincolnton Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2361 Startown Road
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 735-1120
Gr: 6-8 | 563 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #2323.
Love Memorial Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1463 Love Memorial Sch Rd
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 735-5649
Gr: PK-5 | 315 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #2424.
Battleground Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
301 Jeb Seagle Dr
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-1626
Gr: PK-5 | 420 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: n/an/a
Lcst
Vocational School
1 Timken Dr
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 732-4084
Gr: Inquire with school
Rank: n/an/a
Pumpkin Center Primary
3970 King Wilkinson Road
Lincolnton, NC 28092
(704) 736-1394
Gr: PK-2 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Lincoln County, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Lincoln County, NC include Rock Springs Elementary School, Lincoln Charter School and North Lincoln High School.
How many public schools are located in Lincoln County?
26 public schools are located in Lincoln County.
What percentage of students in Lincoln County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Lincoln County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Lincoln County?
Lincoln County public schools minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Lincoln County are often viewed compared to one another?

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