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Average

#1185 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 45% in state

Kings Mountain High

High School · Cleveland County Schools

500 Phifer Road, Kings Mountain, NC 28086

Enrollment

1,317

Student-Teacher

18:1

Score

6.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,185 of 2,648

In Kings Mountain

#2 of 7

public schools

In district

#12 of 28

Cleveland County Schools

Equity

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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Kings Mountain High

6.6/10

High School in Kings Mountain · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Kings Mountain Middle

6.1/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Kings Mountain Intermediate

6.1/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Kings Mountain High

Kings Mountain High is a public high school in Kings Mountain, NC, part of Cleveland County Schools. Kings Mountain High serves approximately 1,317 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18:1 student-teacher ratio. Kings Mountain High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,185 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Kings Mountain High show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 6.6 · Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • NC avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.3Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.54 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency81.2% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52.5% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+25.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.1 pts
Overall Proficiency67% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+20.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
College Readiness6.2Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate89%
AP Participation9.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,540
Chronic Absenteeism21.9%

Kings Mountain High — Students at Kings Mountain High score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 58.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 60.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
83%
ELA
85%
2010
Math
90%
ELA
80%
2011
Math
89%
ELA
94%
2012
Math
49%
ELA
54%
2013
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
55%
ELA
59%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
46%
2016
Math
46%
ELA
54%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
46%
2018
Math
50%
ELA
50%
2019
Math
50%
ELA
50%
2020*
Math
68%
ELA
65%
2021*
Math
68%
ELA
65%
2025
Math
81.2%
ELA
52.5%

* 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: 6.3/10.

How Kings Mountain High Compares

See how Kings Mountain High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.6/10
55th percentile in NC
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
6.3/10
Average
Environment
5.0/10
Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 3
Sports
23
11 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
73 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
9.5% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics23sports offered
11 boys'·12 girls'·29 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

500 Phifer Road, Kings Mountain, NC 28086

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kings Mountain High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cleveland ECHS (rated 8.5/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Shelby), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bessemer City High (rated 3.4/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Bessemer City), a more accessible option. For more schools in Kings Mountain, see our Kings Mountain schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Kings Mountain Middle Kings Mountain 0.4 mi 6.1
Kings Mountain Intermediate Kings Mountain 0.5 mi 6.1
West Elementary Kings Mountain 1.1 mi 5.8
North Elementary Kings Mountain 2.2 mi 5.9
East Elementary Kings Mountain 2.5 mi 4.9
Bethware Elementary Kings Mountain 2.7 mi 7.4
Bessemer City Middle Bessemer City 4.8 mi 4.6
Grover Elementary Grover 6.0 mi 7.6
Bessemer City High Bessemer City 6.6 mi 3.4
Edward D Sadler Jr Elementary School Gastonia 6.5 mi 5.6
Washington Elementary Shelby 7.6 mi 5.0
Bessemer City Primary Bessemer City 7.0 mi 5.8
Bessemer City Central Elem Bessemer City 7.0 mi 3.5
Tryon Elementary Bessemer City 7.8 mi 4.8
Chapel Grove Elementary Gastonia 7.1 mi 4.1
Pinnacle Classical Academy Shelby 7.3 mi 6.3
Bethany Elementary Clover 8.6 mi 6.6
Cleveland ECHS Shelby 7.6 mi 8.5
Elizabeth Elementary Shelby 7.7 mi 3.9
John Chavis Middle School Cherryville 9.5 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28086 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,079

Median Home Value

$181,600

Median Rent

$879/mo

Population

28,921

College Educated

17.6%

Homeownership

73.8%

Avg Commute

25.5 min

Poverty Rate

18.5%

Median Age

42.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Carson High China Grove, NC 6.6
Crest High Shelby, NC 6.6
Garner High Garner, NC 6.6
Junius H Rose High Greenville, NC 6.6
Central Davidson High Lexington, NC 6.5
Forest Hills High Marshville, NC 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kings Mountain High

What grades does Kings Mountain High serve?

Kings Mountain High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Kings Mountain High?

Kings Mountain High has an enrollment of approximately 1,317 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Kings Mountain High?

The student-teacher ratio at Kings Mountain High is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kings Mountain High rank in NC?

Kings Mountain High ranks #1,185 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Kings Mountain High's MySchoolScout rating?

Kings Mountain High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 Kings Mountain High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Kings Mountain High has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Kings Mountain High a charter school?

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

Is Kings Mountain High a Title I school?

No, Kings Mountain High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kings Mountain High?

99.5% of students at Kings Mountain 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
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,317
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
Teachers (FTE)
73
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Cleveland County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.9%
4-Year Graduation
89.0%

District

Cleveland County Schools
District Enrollment
14,458
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,540
District Rank
#12 of 28

How we rate schools

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