Average
#1653 of 2,648 schools in NC
Cleveland Innovation
School · Cleveland County Schools
400 W Marion St, Shelby, NC 28150
Enrollment
164
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
164
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Shelby
#12 of 17
public schools
North Carolina schools
#57 of 120
In district
#20 of 28
Cleveland County Schools
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Cleveland Innovation
Cleveland Innovation serves 164 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in Shelby, North Carolina, offering a comprehensive educational experience with a favorable 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio. This regular public school has earned recognition as a high-performing institution, ranking #217 out of 2661 schools statewide and placing in the 92nd percentile with an impressive 8.2/10 MySchoolScout rating. The school demonstrates strong academic achievement, particularly in English Language Arts where 72% of students perform at proficient levels or above across all grades.
Mathematics shows room for continued growth with 49% of students meeting proficiency standards. With 13 full-time equivalent teachers, Cleveland Innovation maintains small class sizes that allow for more individualized attention and support. The school serves families in a diverse community where the median household income is $46,931 and median home values average $158,800.
The surrounding area reflects a working-class community with 17% of residents living below the poverty line and 22% holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Cleveland Innovation operates in the town setting of Shelby, the seat of Cleveland County, providing students with both small-town familiarity and access to broader educational and community resources within this established North Carolina community of over 26,000 residents.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 164 students, Cleveland Innovation is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Cleveland Innovation are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Cleveland Innovation is a virtual school, meaning instruction is delivered primarily online. Virtual schools offer flexibility but require strong self-discipline and a reliable home learning environment. Parents should consider whether their child thrives with independent, technology-based learning and ask about the school's approach to student engagement and support.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Cleveland Innovation — Students at Cleveland Innovation score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 10 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.4/10.
How Cleveland Innovation Compares
See how Cleveland Innovation performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34.5% (2021) to 22.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 54.5% (2021) to 61.9% (2025).
Location
400 W Marion St, Shelby, NC 28150
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cleveland Innovation may also want to explore other schools in the area. North Shelby (rated 9.1/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pinnacle Classical Academy (rated 4.8/10, 3.9 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, CHARITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 4.8/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Lawndale), a more accessible option. For more schools in Shelby, see our Shelby schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Turning Point Academy Shelby | 0.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Shelby High Shelby | 1.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Shelby Middle Shelby | 2.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Jefferson Elementary Shelby | 2.0 mi | 8.2 |
| James Love Elementary Shelby | 2.2 mi | 6.0 |
| North Shelby Shelby | 2.3 mi | 9.1 |
| Elizabeth Elementary Shelby | 3.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Cleveland ECHS Shelby | 3.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Pinnacle Classical Academy Shelby | 3.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Crest High Shelby | 3.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Crest Middle Shelby | 4.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Township Three Elementary Shelby | 5.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Boiling Springs Elementary Shelby | 7.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Union Elementary Shelby | 7.9 mi | 8.5 |
| Springmore Elementary Shelby | 7.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Burns High Lawndale | 8.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Washington Elementary Shelby | 7.5 mi | 5.2 |
| CHARITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lawndale | 8.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Burns Middle Lawndale | 9.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Bethware Elementary Kings Mountain | 8.0 mi | 8.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28150 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,027
Median Home Value
$195,600
Median Rent
$793/mo
Population
26,447
College Educated
24.4%
Homeownership
68.3%
Avg Commute
24.2 min
Poverty Rate
18%
Median Age
47.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cleveland Innovation has a median household income of $53,027. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $195,600, with a median rent of $793/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.0%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| ASHEBORO HYBRID ACADEMY Asheboro, NC | 5.9 |
| COMMUNITY BAPTIST SCHOOL Reidsville, NC | 5.9 |
| NORTHEAST ACADEMY Lasker, NC | 5.9 |
| WOODLAND BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Winston-Salem, NC | 5.9 |
| FAITH EDUCATION ACADEMY Dunn, NC | 6.0 |
| LAWRENCE ACADEMY Merry Hill, NC | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cleveland Innovation
What grades does Cleveland Innovation serve?
Cleveland Innovation serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Cleveland Innovation?
Cleveland Innovation has an enrollment of approximately 164 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cleveland Innovation?
The student-teacher ratio at Cleveland Innovation is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cleveland Innovation rank in NC?
Cleveland Innovation is ranked #1653 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Cleveland Innovation's MySchoolScout rating?
Cleveland Innovation has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Cleveland Innovation?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cleveland Innovation has 46.7% math proficiency and 67.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cleveland Innovation a charter school?
No, Cleveland Innovation is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cleveland Innovation a Title I school?
No, Cleveland Innovation is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cleveland Innovation?
57.3% of students at Cleveland Innovation qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,500/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Shelby). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 164
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Cleveland County
- Phone
- (704) 476-8000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cleveland County Schools- District Enrollment
- 14,458
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,540
- District Rank
- #20 of 28
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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