Average
#1590 of 2,648 schools in NC
James Love Elementary
Elementary School · Cleveland County Schools
309 James Love Road, Shelby, NC 28152
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Shelby
#10 of 17
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,103 of 1,474
In district
#18 of 28
Cleveland County Schools
School environment
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About James Love Elementary
James Love Elementary is a regular public school in Shelby, North Carolina, nestled in Cleveland County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 356 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1. With 29 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school is well-equipped to provide personalized attention to each child.
James Love Elementary's MySchoolScout rating stands at 4.2 out of 10, placing it in the 27th percentile among North Carolina schools. The academic performance score is 3.0/10, indicating there is room for improvement in areas such as reading and math, where about 38% of students are proficient or above. Despite these challenges, James Love Elementary continues to focus on student development and growth.
The school's commitment to supporting its young learners makes it a valuable part of the Shelby community. Located in the heart of town, James Love Elementary is an integral part of the local neighborhood, offering families a strong foundation for their children’s educational journey.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
James Love Elementary — Students at James Love Elementary score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 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: 5.6/10.
How James Love Elementary Compares
See how James Love Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 39.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 40% (2025).
Location
309 James Love Road, Shelby, NC 28152
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Love Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Boiling Springs Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 5.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bethware Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Kings Mountain), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Union Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 9.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Shelby, see our Shelby schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Shelby Shelby | 0.1 mi | 9.1 |
| Shelby Middle Shelby | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Shelby High Shelby | 1.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Cleveland Innovation Shelby | 2.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Turning Point Academy Shelby | 2.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Crest High Shelby | 2.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Crest Middle Shelby | 3.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Township Three Elementary Shelby | 3.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Jefferson Elementary Shelby | 4.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Pinnacle Classical Academy Shelby | 4.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Elizabeth Elementary Shelby | 4.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Cleveland ECHS Shelby | 4.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Boiling Springs Elementary Shelby | 5.3 mi | 8.8 |
| Springmore Elementary Shelby | 5.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Union Elementary Shelby | 9.0 mi | 8.5 |
| Grover Elementary Grover | 9.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Bethware Elementary Kings Mountain | 8.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Blacksburg Primary Blacksburg | 10.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Burns High Lawndale | 10.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Blacksburg Elementary Blacksburg | 10.8 mi | 6.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding James Love Elementary has a median household income of $55,926. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $188,200, with a median rent of $904/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.4%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Briarcliff Elementary Cary, NC | 6.0 |
| Bruns Avenue Elementary Charlotte, NC | 6.0 |
| Brunson Elementary Winston-Salem, NC | 6.0 |
| Charles H. Parker Academic Center Charlotte, NC | 6.0 |
| Churchland Elementary Lexington, NC | 6.0 |
| East Elementary Monroe, NC | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Love Elementary
What grades does James Love Elementary serve?
James Love Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend James Love Elementary?
James Love Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 356 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Love Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at James Love Elementary is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James Love Elementary rank in NC?
James Love Elementary is ranked #1590 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is James Love Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
James Love Elementary has a composite rating of 6.0 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 James Love Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Love Elementary has 37.7% math proficiency and 37.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James Love Elementary a charter school?
No, James Love Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Love Elementary a Title I school?
No, James Love Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Love Elementary?
99.2% of students at James Love 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.
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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 356
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Cleveland County
- Phone
- (704) 476-8385
- 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
- #18 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.