Excellent
#331 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 13% in state
Jefferson Elementary
Elementary School · Cleveland County Schools
1166 Wyke Road, Shelby, NC 28150
Enrollment
425
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
425
Student-Teacher
15.7:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Shelby
#5 of 17
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#299 of 1,474
In district
#10 of 28
Cleveland County Schools
Equity
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Jefferson Elementary
Jefferson Elementary is a public elementary school in Shelby, NC, part of the Cleveland County Schools. The school serves approximately 425 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 15.7:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 87.5th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 65% proficiency in math, 6 points above the state average and 52% in reading/language arts, 1 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $53,027, where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant town setting.
Score Breakdown
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Jefferson Elementary — Students at Jefferson Elementary score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
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: 9.0/10.
How Jefferson Elementary Compares
See how Jefferson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 72.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 54.9% (2025).
Location
1166 Wyke Road, Shelby, NC 28150
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Jefferson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bethware Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Kings Mountain), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Union Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 8.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Grover Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Grover), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Shelby, see our Shelby schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Elementary Shelby | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Cleveland ECHS Shelby | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Turning Point Academy Shelby | 2.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Cleveland Innovation Shelby | 2.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Shelby High Shelby | 2.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Pinnacle Classical Academy Shelby | 3.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Shelby Middle Shelby | 3.4 mi | 4.9 |
| James Love Elementary Shelby | 4.0 mi | 6.0 |
| North Shelby Shelby | 4.1 mi | 9.1 |
| Township Three Elementary Shelby | 6.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Washington Elementary Shelby | 5.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Crest High Shelby | 5.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Crest Middle Shelby | 6.2 mi | 6.3 |
| CHARITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lawndale | 7.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Bethware Elementary Kings Mountain | 6.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Burns High Lawndale | 8.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Fallston Elementary Fallston | 8.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Burns Middle Lawndale | 8.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Union Elementary Shelby | 8.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Grover Elementary Grover | 9.6 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28150 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,027
Median Home Value
$195,600
Median Rent
$793/mo
Population
26,447
College Educated
24.4%
Homeownership
68.3%
Avg Commute
24.2 min
Poverty Rate
18%
Median Age
47.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Jefferson Elementary has a median household income of $53,027. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $195,600, with a median rent of $793/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.0%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Casar Elementary Casar, NC | 8.2 |
| Club Boulevard Elementary Durham, NC | 8.2 |
| Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory, NC | 8.2 |
| Cornelius Elementary Cornelius, NC | 8.2 |
| Cove Creek Elementary Vilas, NC | 8.2 |
| Creech Road Elementary Garner, NC | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Jefferson Elementary
What grades does Jefferson Elementary serve?
Jefferson Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Jefferson Elementary?
Jefferson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 425 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Jefferson Elementary rank in NC?
Jefferson Elementary is ranked #331 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Jefferson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Jefferson Elementary has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Jefferson Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jefferson Elementary has 65.3% math proficiency and 51.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Jefferson Elementary a charter school?
No, Jefferson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Jefferson Elementary a Title I school?
No, Jefferson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jefferson Elementary?
99.3% of students at Jefferson 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Shelby). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 425
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Cleveland County
- Phone
- (704) 476-8390
- 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
- #10 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
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