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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Shelby Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 9,065 students in Shelby, NC (there are 3 private schools, serving 64 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Shelby, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Shelby, NC are Cleveland Echs, Pinnacle Classical Academy and Crest High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Shelby, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 55% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Shelby have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 48% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Shelby, NC (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Cleveland Echs
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 85-89% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1800 E. Marion Street
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8232
Gr: 9-13 | 225 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #22.
Pinnacle Classical Academy
Charter School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2401 Joes Lake Rd
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 740-4040
Gr: K-12 | 1,178 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #33.
Crest High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
800 Old Boiling Springs Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8331
Gr: 9-12 | 1,098 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #44.
North Shelby
Special Education School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1701 Charles Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8230
Gr: PK-12 | 76 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #55.
Boiling Springs Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1522 Patrick Avenue
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8361
Gr: PK-5 | 558 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #66.
Springmore Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
616 Mcbrayer Homestead Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8235
Gr: PK-5 | 618 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #77.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1166 Wyke Road
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8390
Gr: PK-5 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #88.
Shelby High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
230 E Dixon Boulevard
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8325
Gr: 9-12 | 792 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #99.
James Love Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
309 James Love Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8385
Gr: PK-5 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1010.
Union Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1440 Union Church Road
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8250
Gr: PK-5 | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #1111.
Crest Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
315 Beaver Dam Church Rd
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8221
Gr: 6-8 | 810 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #1212.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1907 Stony Point Road
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8260
Gr: PK-5 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1313.
Township Three Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
526 Davis Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8245
Gr: PK-5 | 540 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1414.
Cleveland Innovation
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
400 W Marion St
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8163
Gr: K-12 | 187 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1515.
Shelby Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1480 South Dekalb Street
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8328
Gr: 6-8 | 588 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1616.
Elizabeth Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
220 S Post Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8371
Gr: PK-5 | 649 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1717.
Turning Point Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
409 West Sumter Street
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 schools in Shelby, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Shelby, NC include Cleveland Echs, Pinnacle Classical Academy and Crest High School.
How many public schools are located in Shelby?
17 public schools are located in Shelby.
What percentage of students in Shelby go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Shelby are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Shelby?
Shelby public schools minority enrollment is 48% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Shelby are often viewed compared to one another?

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