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Average

#1244 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 47% in state

East Lincoln High

High School · Lincoln County Schools

6471 Hwy 73, Denver, NC 28037

Enrollment

1,090

Student-Teacher

21.4:1

Score

6.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Denver

#2 of 7

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#115 of 579

In district

#7 of 21

Lincoln County Schools

Academic performance

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About East Lincoln High

East Lincoln High serves 1,090 students in grades 9-12 in Denver, North Carolina, earning strong recognition with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranking in the 81st percentile among North Carolina high schools. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, with 71% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts and an impressive 73% reaching proficiency in mathematics across grade levels, contributing to its excellent academic score of 9.1 out of 10. With 51 full-time equivalent teachers, East Lincoln High maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.4 to 1, providing students with reasonable access to instruction and support.

The school draws from a well-established community where the median household income reaches $110,932 and 46% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an environment that values education and achievement. The surrounding neighborhood reflects stability and prosperity, with median home values of $404,700 and a notably low poverty rate of just 5.2% among the area's nearly 25,000 residents. East Lincoln High is situated in a rural setting near the town of Denver, offering students the benefits of a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to quality educational opportunities in Lincoln County.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at East Lincoln High is 21.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, East Lincoln High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.8Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency58.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.3%
Math vs. State Avg+2.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.7 pts
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+1.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
College Readiness9.2Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation22.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,582

East Lincoln High — Students at East Lincoln High score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 58.6%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 68.1%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 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
60%
2021*
Math
65%
ELA
73%
2025
Math
58.9%
ELA
71.3%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How East Lincoln High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.6/10
53th percentile in NC
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
5.9/10
Above average
Environment
2.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
51 teachers

Location

6471 Hwy 73, Denver, NC 28037

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering East Lincoln High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SOUTHLAKE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.4/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Huntersville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Barnette Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Huntersville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Catawba Springs Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Denver, see our Denver schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Catawba Springs Elementary Denver 0.3 mi 7.1
St James Elementary Denver 2.2 mi 5.6
West Lake Preparatory Academy Denver 2.7 mi 4.1
Lincoln Charter School Denver 2.7 mi 5.0
STARBOARD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Denver 3.3 mi 4.0
DENVER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Denver 3.6 mi 6.4
East Lincoln Middle Iron Station 4.1 mi 5.3
Rock Springs Elementary Denver 5.2 mi 5.9
SOUTHLAKE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Huntersville 5.3 mi 7.4
Mountain Island Charter School Mt. Holly 6.9 mi 5.6
Community Public Charter Stanley 6.8 mi 5.3
North Lincoln Middle Denver 6.6 mi 5.4
Kiser Elementary Stanley 7.4 mi 5.8
Barnette Elementary Huntersville 6.8 mi 7.3
Francis Bradley Middle Huntersville 7.0 mi 5.5
Stanley Middle Stanley 7.5 mi 6.8
JUDAH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Stanley 7.7 mi 6.1
North Lincoln High Lincolnton 7.6 mi 5.4
Pumpkin Center Intermediate Lincolnton 7.5 mi 5.6
Pumpkin Center Primary Lincolnton 7.6 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28037 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$109,779

Median Home Value

$455,700

Median Rent

$1,126/mo

Population

27,128

College Educated

45.7%

Homeownership

84%

Avg Commute

32.5 min

Poverty Rate

5.3%

Median Age

45

Community Profile

The community surrounding East Lincoln High has a median household income of $109,779. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $455,700, with a median rent of $1,126/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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
Atkins Academic & Tech High Winston-Salem, NC 6.6
Asheville High Asheville, NC 6.5
CARY ACADEMY Cary, NC 6.5
Northwest School of the Arts Charlotte, NC 6.7
Pisgah High Canton, NC 6.7
Carrboro High Carrboro, NC 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about East Lincoln High

What grades does East Lincoln High serve?

East Lincoln High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend East Lincoln High?

East Lincoln High has an enrollment of approximately 1,090 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at East Lincoln High?

The student-teacher ratio at East Lincoln High is 21.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does East Lincoln High rank in NC?

East Lincoln High is ranked #1244 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is East Lincoln High's MySchoolScout rating?

East Lincoln High has a composite rating of 6.6 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 East Lincoln High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, East Lincoln High has 58.6% math proficiency and 68.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is East Lincoln High a charter school?

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

Is East Lincoln High a Title I school?

No, East Lincoln High is not currently a Title I school.

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

33.6% of students at East Lincoln 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (797/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,090
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
51
Free/Reduced Lunch
33.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Lincoln County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Lincoln County Schools
District Enrollment
11,642
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,722
District Rank
#7 of 21

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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