Average
#1948 of 2,648 schools in NC
Kinston High
High School · Lenoir County Public Schools
2601 N Queen St, Kinston, NC 28501
Enrollment
706
Student-Teacher
18.6:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
706
Student-Teacher
18.6:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kinston
#13 of 13
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#281 of 579
In district
#15 of 17
Lenoir County Public Schools
About Kinston High
Kinston High, located in Kinston, North Carolina, is a regular public high school serving students from ninth through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 706 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 18.6:1, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each student's needs. The dedicated faculty consists of 38 full-time equivalent teachers committed to supporting their students.
Kinston High's academic performance reflects areas where improvements can be made; it holds a MySchoolScout rating of 2.2 out of 10 and ranks 2569th among the state’s 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it in the fourth percentile statewide. Students typically score below average on standardized tests: only 33% are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 18% meet proficiency standards in Math. Despite these challenges, Kinston High is part of a close-knit community within Lenoir County, offering students opportunities to engage with their town and participate in local activities.
The school’s setting provides a supportive environment for growth and development, focusing on the needs of its diverse student body.
Score Breakdown
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Kinston High — Students at Kinston High score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
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: 4.8/10.
How Kinston High Compares
See how Kinston High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 12% (2019) to 14% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 35.9% (2025).
Location
2601 N Queen St, Kinston, NC 28501
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Kinston High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lenoir County Early College High (rated 7.0/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Lenoir High (rated 4.0/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby La Grange), a more accessible option. Additionally, Ayden-Grifton High (rated 3.7/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Ayden), a more accessible option. For more schools in Kinston, see our Kinston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Elementary Kinston | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Children's Village Academy Kinston | 2.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Northwest Elementary Kinston | 2.0 mi | 8.2 |
| ARENDELL PARROTT ACADEMY Kinston | 2.1 mi | 3.5 |
| Rochelle Middle Kinston | 2.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Southeast Elementary Kinston | 2.6 mi | 7.5 |
| FIVE POINTS EDUCATION TRAINING CENTER Kinston | 3.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Contentnea-Savannah School Kinston | 3.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Lenoir County Early College High Kinston | 4.2 mi | 7.0 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kinston | 4.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Southwood Elementary Kinston | 6.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Banks Elementary Kinston | 6.0 mi | 8.3 |
| North Lenoir High La Grange | 6.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Lenoir County Learning Academy Kinston | 7.3 mi | 5.7 |
| MT CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hookerton | 9.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Woodington Middle Kinston | 10.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Grifton Grifton | 9.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Snow Hill Primary Snow Hill | 11.8 mi | 8.1 |
| West Greene Elementary Snow Hill | 12.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Ayden-Grifton High Ayden | 12.3 mi | 3.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$33,823
Median Home Value
$78,600
Median Rent
$717/mo
Population
18,112
College Educated
12.6%
Homeownership
48.8%
Avg Commute
22.4 min
Poverty Rate
30%
Median Age
39.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Kinston High has a median household income of $33,823. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $78,600, with a median rent of $717/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County Sanford, NC | 5.4 |
| Ashe County High West Jefferson, NC | 5.4 |
| Beddingfield High Wilson, NC | 5.4 |
| Lakewood High Salemburg, NC | 5.4 |
| North Davidson High Lexington, NC | 5.4 |
| Reidsville High Reidsville, NC | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Kinston High
What grades does Kinston High serve?
Kinston High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Kinston High?
Kinston High has an enrollment of approximately 706 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Kinston High?
The student-teacher ratio at Kinston High is 18.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Kinston High rank in NC?
Kinston High is ranked #1948 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Kinston High's MySchoolScout rating?
Kinston High has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Kinston High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kinston High has 16.0% math proficiency and 33.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Kinston High a charter school?
No, Kinston High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Kinston High a Title I school?
No, Kinston High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kinston High?
99.6% of students at Kinston 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
- City Safety
- High (5,990/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kinston). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 706
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Lenoir County
- Phone
- (252) 527-8067
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lenoir County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,372
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,902
- District Rank
- #15 of 17
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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