Below Average
#2343 of 2,648 schools in NC
Kings Mountain High
High School · Cleveland County Schools
500 Phifer Road, Kings Mountain, NC 28086
Enrollment
1,317
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
4.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,317
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
4.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kings Mountain
#7 of 7
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#427 of 579
In district
#27 of 28
Cleveland County Schools
About Kings Mountain High
Kings Mountain High serves 1,317 students in grades 9-12 in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, within Cleveland County's public school system. With 73 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18:1 student-teacher ratio, providing a manageable classroom environment for high school learners. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #696 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools, placing it in the 74th percentile statewide.
Students show particular strength in mathematics, with 60% achieving proficiency or above, while 52% meet proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading. This academic score of 7.8 out of 10 reflects the school's commitment to student achievement. Located at 500 Phifer Road, Kings Mountain High sits in a community where the median household income is $59,020 and median home values average $166,800.
The surrounding ZIP code area (28086) has a population of 28,652, with 16% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and an 18.9% poverty rate. The school serves this diverse community from its setting in a town on the fringe of an urban area, providing comprehensive high school education in Cleveland County.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Kings Mountain High — Students at Kings Mountain High score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 2.5/10.
How Kings Mountain High Compares
See how Kings Mountain High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 39.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 50% (2019) to 52.5% (2025).
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 6.5/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Shelby), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bessemer City High (rated 3.1/10, 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 | 5.6 |
| Kings Mountain Intermediate Kings Mountain | 0.5 mi | 6.4 |
| West Elementary Kings Mountain | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| North Elementary Kings Mountain | 2.2 mi | 9.1 |
| East Elementary Kings Mountain | 2.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Bethware Elementary Kings Mountain | 2.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Bessemer City Middle Bessemer City | 4.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Grover Elementary Grover | 6.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Bessemer City High Bessemer City | 6.6 mi | 3.1 |
| Edward D Sadler Jr Elementary School Gastonia | 6.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Washington Elementary Shelby | 7.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Bessemer City Primary Bessemer City | 7.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Bessemer City Central Elem Bessemer City | 7.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Tryon Elementary Bessemer City | 7.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Chapel Grove Elementary Gastonia | 7.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Pinnacle Classical Academy Shelby | 7.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Bethany Elementary Clover | 8.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Cleveland ECHS Shelby | 7.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Elizabeth Elementary Shelby | 7.7 mi | 7.4 |
| John Chavis Middle School Cherryville | 9.5 mi | 5.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Kings Mountain High has a median household income of $56,079. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $181,600, with a median rent of $879/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.5%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Forest Hills High Marshville, NC | 4.4 |
| Forestview High Gastonia, NC | 4.4 |
| Hickory High Hickory, NC | 4.4 |
| Montgomery Central High Troy, NC | 4.4 |
| North Brunswick High Leland, NC | 4.4 |
| Piedmont High Monroe, NC | 4.4 |
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 is ranked #2343 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Kings Mountain High's MySchoolScout rating?
Kings Mountain High has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Kings Mountain High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kings Mountain High has 52.4% math proficiency and 55.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kings Mountain). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (704) 476-8330
- 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
- #27 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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