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Excellent

#146 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 6% in state

Bethware Elementary

Elementary School · Cleveland County Schools

115 Bethware Drive, Kings Mountain, NC 28086

Enrollment

530

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

8.7

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Kings Mountain

#2 of 7

public schools

North Carolina elementary schools

#132 of 1,474

In district

#4 of 28

Cleveland County Schools

Equity

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Bethware Elementary

Bethware Elementary is a public elementary school in Kings Mountain, NC, part of the Cleveland County Schools. The school serves approximately 530 students in grades Pre-K – 4th with a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.7/10, placing it in the 94.5th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 68% proficiency in math, 9 points above the state average and 54% in reading/language arts, 1 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.3/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $56,079, where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Bethware Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.86 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.2Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency78.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.2%
Math vs. State Avg+14.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.6 pts
Overall Proficiency69%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected+24.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,957

Bethware Elementary — Students at Bethware Elementary score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 68.0%
School
State
59.5%
ELA Proficiency 54.0%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 10 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
52%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
78.6%
ELA
60.4%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.3/10.

How Bethware Elementary Compares

See how Bethware Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.7/10
95th percentile in NC
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

Location

115 Bethware Drive, Kings Mountain, NC 28086

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bethware Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Elementary (rated 9.1/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is East Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 4.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Grover Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Grover), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Kings Mountain, see our Kings Mountain schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Kings Mountain Intermediate Kings Mountain 2.3 mi 6.4
Kings Mountain Middle Kings Mountain 2.6 mi 5.6
Kings Mountain High Kings Mountain 2.7 mi 4.4
West Elementary Kings Mountain 3.6 mi 5.7
North Elementary Kings Mountain 4.2 mi 9.1
Grover Elementary Grover 5.4 mi 8.2
Pinnacle Classical Academy Shelby 4.7 mi 4.8
East Elementary Kings Mountain 4.7 mi 8.5
Cleveland ECHS Shelby 4.9 mi 6.5
Elizabeth Elementary Shelby 5.0 mi 7.4
Washington Elementary Shelby 6.0 mi 5.2
Jefferson Elementary Shelby 6.7 mi 8.2
Bessemer City Middle Bessemer City 6.7 mi 4.3
Township Three Elementary Shelby 7.0 mi 6.2
Shelby High Shelby 7.2 mi 4.3
John Chavis Middle School Cherryville 8.8 mi 5.9
Tryon Elementary Bessemer City 8.2 mi 6.5
Cherryville Elementary Cherryville 9.3 mi 5.4
Shelby Middle Shelby 7.8 mi 4.9
W B Beam Intermediate School Cherryville 9.4 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28086 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,079

Median Home Value

$181,600

Median Rent

$879/mo

Population

28,921

College Educated

17.6%

Homeownership

73.8%

Avg Commute

25.5 min

Poverty Rate

18.5%

Median Age

42.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bethware Elementary has a median household income of $56,079. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $181,600, with a median rent of $879/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.5%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bunn Elementary Bunn, NC 8.7
Edwin A Alderman Elementary Greensboro, NC 8.7
Elizabeth Traditional Elem Charlotte, NC 8.7
G W Carver Elementary Pinetops, NC 8.7
George Hildebrand Elementary Connelly Springs, NC 8.7
Glenwood Elementary Chapel Hill, NC 8.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bethware Elementary

What grades does Bethware Elementary serve?

Bethware Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Bethware Elementary?

Bethware Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 530 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bethware Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Bethware Elementary is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bethware Elementary rank in NC?

Bethware Elementary is ranked #146 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Bethware Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Bethware Elementary has a composite rating of 8.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bethware Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bethware Elementary has 68.0% math proficiency and 54.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bethware Elementary a charter school?

No, Bethware Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bethware Elementary a Title I school?

No, Bethware Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bethware Elementary?

99.4% of students at Bethware Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,914/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kings Mountain). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
530
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Cleveland County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cleveland County Schools
District Enrollment
14,458
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,540
District Rank
#4 of 28

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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