Below Average
#2200 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
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
706
Student-Teacher
18.6:1
Score
4.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,200 of 2,648
In Kinston
#12 of 13
public schools
In district
#16 of 17
Lenoir County Public Schools
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Kinston High
High School in Kinston · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Northeast Elementary
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Children's Village Academy
2.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Kinston High
Kinston High is a public high school in Kinston, NC, part of Lenoir County Public Schools. Kinston High serves approximately 706 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Kinston High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,200 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Kinston High show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.5 · Below Average
- District avg 6.1
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
52% of students at Kinston High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Kinston High — Students at Kinston High score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
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 28 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: 3.9/10.
How Kinston High Compares
See how Kinston High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 7.8/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Lenoir High (rated 6.4/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby La Grange), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ayden-Grifton High (rated 6.0/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Ayden), which scores notably higher. 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 | 4.9 |
| Children's Village Academy Kinston | 2.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Northwest Elementary Kinston | 2.0 mi | 5.5 |
| ARENDELL PARROTT ACADEMY Kinston | 2.1 mi | 3.5 |
| Rochelle Middle Kinston | 2.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Southeast Elementary Kinston | 2.6 mi | 6.5 |
| FIVE POINTS EDUCATION TRAINING CENTER Kinston | 3.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Contentnea-Savannah School Kinston | 3.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Lenoir County Early College High Kinston | 4.2 mi | 7.8 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kinston | 4.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Southwood Elementary Kinston | 6.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Banks Elementary Kinston | 6.0 mi | 5.8 |
| North Lenoir High La Grange | 6.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Lenoir County Learning Academy Kinston | 7.3 mi | 4.0 |
| MT CALVARY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hookerton | 9.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Woodington Middle Kinston | 10.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Grifton Grifton | 9.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Snow Hill Primary Snow Hill | 11.8 mi | 8.0 |
| West Greene Elementary Snow Hill | 12.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Ayden-Grifton High Ayden | 12.3 mi | 6.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Albemarle High Albemarle, NC | 4.5 |
| Hibriten High Lenoir, NC | 4.5 |
| Eastern Wayne High Goldsboro, NC | 4.4 |
| North Pitt High Bethel, NC | 4.6 |
| Pasquotank County High Elizabeth City, NC | 4.6 |
| Thomasville High Thomasville, NC | 4.4 |
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 ranks #2,200 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Kinston High's MySchoolScout rating?
Kinston High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Kinston High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Kinston High has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 52.4%
- Phone
- (252) 527-8067
- 4-Year Graduation
- 87.0%
Resources & Links
District
Lenoir County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,372
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,902
- District Rank
- #16 of 17
Other Schools in This District
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