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
Enrollment
1,090
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
6.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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East Lincoln High — Students at East Lincoln High score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 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: 5.9/10.
How East Lincoln High Compares
See how East Lincoln High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 58.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 60% (2019) to 71.3% (2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (704) 736-1860
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lincoln County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,642
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,722
- District Rank
- #7 of 21
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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