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Average

#1183 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 45% in state

Crest High

High School · Cleveland County Schools

800 Old Boiling Springs, Shelby, NC 28152

Enrollment

1,101

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

6.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,183 of 2,648

In Shelby

#6 of 17

public schools

In district

#10 of 28

Cleveland County Schools

Equity

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Crest High

6.6/10

High School in Shelby · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Crest Middle

7.0/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

North Shelby

6.5/10

2.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Crest High

Crest High is a public high school in Shelby, NC, part of Cleveland County Schools. Crest High serves approximately 1,101 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Crest High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,183 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Crest High show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 6.6 · Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Crest High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

32% of students at Crest High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.4Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.51 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67.9% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.9% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+11.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.7 pts
Overall Proficiency59% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+13.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
College Readiness7.0Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate89%
AP Participation15.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,540
Chronic Absenteeism31.9%

Crest High — Students at Crest High score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 52.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 52.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
83%
ELA
61%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
68%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
83%
2012
Math
41%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
49%
ELA
51%
2014
Math
48%
ELA
51%
2015
Math
41%
ELA
45%
2016
Math
36%
ELA
40%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
40%
2018
Math
38%
ELA
43%
2019
Math
38%
ELA
43%
2020*
Math
61%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
61%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
67.9%
ELA
50.9%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Crest High Compares

See how Crest High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
55th percentile in NC
Academic
8.0/10
Excellent
Growth
6.4/10
Average
Environment
4.4/10
Below Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 3
Sports
19
10 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
64 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
15.5% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics19sports offered
10 boys'·9 girls'·24 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

800 Old Boiling Springs, Shelby, NC 28152

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Crest High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cleveland ECHS (rated 8.5/10, 6.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Burns High (rated 6.1/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Lawndale), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Shelby High (rated 4.3/10, 4.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Shelby, see our Shelby schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Crest Middle Shelby 0.6 mi 7.0
North Shelby Shelby 2.4 mi 6.5
James Love Elementary Shelby 2.4 mi 4.7
Boiling Springs Elementary Shelby 3.4 mi 8.2
Springmore Elementary Shelby 3.3 mi 8.5
Shelby Middle Shelby 3.4 mi 5.7
Cleveland Innovation Shelby 3.9 mi 7.0
Turning Point Academy Shelby 3.9 mi 3.9
Shelby High Shelby 4.0 mi 4.3
Township Three Elementary Shelby 5.8 mi 4.5
Jefferson Elementary Shelby 5.8 mi 6.3
Pinnacle Classical Academy Shelby 6.5 mi 6.3
Elizabeth Elementary Shelby 6.5 mi 3.9
Cleveland ECHS Shelby 6.6 mi 8.5
Union Elementary Shelby 8.1 mi 6.0
Grassy Pond Elementary Gaffney 10.1 mi 6.4
Cliffside Elementary School Cliffside 9.1 mi 8.3
Burns High Lawndale 11.1 mi 6.1
Burns Middle Lawndale 11.3 mi 6.7
Luther L. Vaughan Elementary Gaffney 12.1 mi 4.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28152 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,926

Median Home Value

$188,200

Median Rent

$904/mo

Population

27,031

College Educated

23.5%

Homeownership

67.7%

Avg Commute

22.5 min

Poverty Rate

16.4%

Median Age

35

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CARY ACADEMY Cary, NC 6.6
Carson High China Grove, NC 6.6
Kings Mountain High Kings Mountain, NC 6.6
Central Davidson High Lexington, NC 6.5
Forest Hills High Marshville, NC 6.5
Mount Pleasant High Mount Pleasant, NC 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Crest High

What grades does Crest High serve?

Crest High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Crest High?

Crest High has an enrollment of approximately 1,101 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Crest High?

The student-teacher ratio at Crest High is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Crest High rank in NC?

Crest High ranks #1,183 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Crest High's MySchoolScout rating?

Crest High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Crest High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Crest High has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Crest High a charter school?

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

Is Crest High a Title I school?

No, Crest High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Crest High?

99.7% of students at Crest High 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
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,101
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
64
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Cleveland County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.9%
4-Year Graduation
89.0%

District

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

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