Below Average
#2121 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
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
356
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,121 of 2,648
In Shelby
#13 of 17
public schools
In district
#24 of 28
Cleveland County Schools
School environment
8.9 / 10
Excellent
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James Love Elementary
Elementary School in Shelby · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
North Shelby
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Shelby Middle
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About James Love Elementary
James Love Elementary is a public elementary school in Shelby, NC, part of Cleveland County Schools. James Love Elementary serves approximately 356 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio. James Love Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,121 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for James Love Elementary show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.7 · Below Average
- District avg 6.3
- NC avg 6.4
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
James Love Elementary — Students at James Love Elementary score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
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 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.1/10.
How James Love Elementary Compares
See how James Love Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Springmore Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 5.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Boiling Springs Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 5.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Grover Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Grover), 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 | 6.5 |
| Shelby Middle Shelby | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Shelby High Shelby | 1.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Cleveland Innovation Shelby | 2.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Turning Point Academy Shelby | 2.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Crest High Shelby | 2.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Crest Middle Shelby | 3.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Township Three Elementary Shelby | 3.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Jefferson Elementary Shelby | 4.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Pinnacle Classical Academy Shelby | 4.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Elizabeth Elementary Shelby | 4.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Cleveland ECHS Shelby | 4.3 mi | 8.5 |
| Boiling Springs Elementary Shelby | 5.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Springmore Elementary Shelby | 5.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Union Elementary Shelby | 9.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Grover Elementary Grover | 9.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Bethware Elementary Kings Mountain | 8.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Blacksburg Primary Blacksburg | 10.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Burns High Lawndale | 10.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Blacksburg Elementary Blacksburg | 10.8 mi | 5.7 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Ben D Quinn Elementary New Bern, NC | 4.7 |
| Broadway Elementary Broadway, NC | 4.7 |
| Cape Hatteras Elementary School Buxton, NC | 4.7 |
| Collettsville School Collettsville, NC | 4.7 |
| East Elementary Monroe, NC | 4.7 |
| Edwin A Alderman Elementary Wilmington, NC | 4.7 |
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 ranks #2,121 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is James Love Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
James Love Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 James Love Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James Love Elementary has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 28.7%
- Phone
- (704) 476-8385
Resources & Links
District
Cleveland County Schools- District Enrollment
- 14,458
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,540
- District Rank
- #24 of 28
Other Schools in This District
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