Best Schools in Lincolnton, North Carolina
15 schools · 7 Elementary · 2 Middle · 5 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Lincolnton?
Use this page to compare every school in Lincolnton by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Battleground Elementary
Elementary · Lincoln County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
West Lincoln High
High · Lincoln County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Lincolnton High
High · Lincoln County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Lincolnton for 2026 are Battleground Elementary (9.0/10), West Lincoln High (7.2/10), and Lincolnton High (7.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 11 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
15
13 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$220,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
15
13 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$220,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Rates 9.0/10 despite 99% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.2 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Lincolnton schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +24.7 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Lincolnton schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Lincolnton
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 11 rated schools; 15 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Battleground Elementary | 9.0 / 10 |
| 2 | West Lincoln High | 7.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Lincolnton High | 7.1 / 10 |
| 4 | North Lincoln High | 6.8 / 10 |
| 5 | S Ray Lowder Elementary | 5.9 / 10 |
| 6 | West Lincoln Middle | 5.5 / 10 |
| 7 | Lincolnton Middle | 4.7 / 10 |
| 8 | Love Memorial Elementary | 4.6 / 10 |
| 9 | Pumpkin Center Intermediate | 4.6 / 10 |
| 10 | Childers Elementary | 4.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.9/10
- Median household income
- $62,625
- Median home value
- $220,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20%
- Avg commute
- 27 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 70%
29% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Lincolnton compares
North Carolina rank
#175 of 255
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.4
below North Carolina avg (6.3)
Median household income
$63k
92% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
14
Lincoln County Schools runs Lincolnton's public schools
13 public schools. Lincoln County Schools is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Lincolnton is a Lincoln County Schools school (13 of 13).
Among 11 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.0 to 9.0 — the spread is inside Lincolnton, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Lincolnton, North Carolina
Lincolnton, North Carolina is home to 15 schools, including 13 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 7 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 5 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.9 out of 10, schools in Lincolnton show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Lincolnton is Battleground Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Lincolnton is served by 1 school district: Lincoln County Schools. These districts collectively serve 11,642 students.
Lincolnton's community shows 20% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $62,625. The poverty rate in the area is 11.7%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 419 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.0 |
| 2 | 300 students · Pre-K–2nd | 7.6 |
| 3 | 280 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.9 |
| 4 | 291 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.6 |
| 5 | 309 students · 3rd–5th | 4.6 |
| 6 | 407 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.1 |
| 7 | 370 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.0 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 546 students · 6th–8th | 5.5 |
| 2 | 563 students · 6th–8th | 4.7 |
High Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 733 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 | ||
| 2 | 788 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 | ||
| 3 | 1,139 students · 9th–12th | 6.8 | ||
| 4 | 29 students · 6th–12th | — | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Combine AcademyPrivate 139 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Long Shoals Wesleyan AcademyPrivate 136 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Lincolnton
Lincolnton, North Carolina · 15 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$62,625
Median Home Value
$220,700
Median Rent
$937/mo
Population
40,224
College Educated
20%
Homeownership
70%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
11.7%
Community Profile
Lincolnton has a median household income of $62,625. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $220,700, with a median rent of $937/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.7%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 7
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 5
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Lincolnton, North Carolina
How many schools are in Lincolnton, North Carolina?
Lincolnton has 15 schools, including 13 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Lincolnton, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Lincolnton is 5.9 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Lincolnton, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Lincolnton on MySchoolScout is Battleground Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Lincolnton, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Lincolnton on MySchoolScout is Battleground Elementary with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Lincolnton, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Lincolnton on MySchoolScout is West Lincoln Middle with a composite score of 5.5/10.
What is the best high school in Lincolnton, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Lincolnton on MySchoolScout is West Lincoln High with a composite score of 7.2/10.
How many school districts serve Lincolnton, North Carolina?
Lincolnton is served by 1 school district: Lincoln County Schools.
What is the education level in Lincolnton, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 20% of adults in Lincolnton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Lincolnton, North Carolina?
The median household income in Lincolnton is approximately $62,625 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Lincolnton, North Carolina?
Yes, Lincolnton has 2 private schools alongside 13 public schools. The top-rated private school is Combine Academy with a score of 5.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Lincolnton, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Lincolnton is 14.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Lincolnton, North Carolina?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
- The New School Choice Map: Is Your State Participating in the Federal Tuition Tax Credit?data insights
- Moving to Raleigh-Durham? A Parent's Guide to School Choice in the Triangleguides
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.