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Below Average

#2256 of 2,648 schools in NC

Shelby High

High School · Cleveland County Schools

230 E Dixon Boulevard, Shelby, NC 28152

Enrollment

790

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

4.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,256 of 2,648

In Shelby

#15 of 17

public schools

In district

#26 of 28

Cleveland County Schools

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Shelby High

4.3/10

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

Shelby Middle

5.7/10

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

Cleveland Innovation

7.0/10

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

About Shelby High

Shelby High is a public high school in Shelby, NC, part of Cleveland County Schools. Shelby High serves approximately 790 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Shelby High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,256 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Shelby High show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.7 pts below district
  • This school 4.3 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

40% of students at Shelby 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 metrics
Student Progress2.8Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.43 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.6% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency39% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-28.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.6 pts
Overall Proficiency33% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-13.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
College Readiness5.7Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate85%
AP Participation12.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,540
Chronic Absenteeism40.3%

Shelby High — Students at Shelby High score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 35.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 50.3% (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
65%
ELA
61%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
73%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
23%
ELA
38%
2013
Math
29%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
38%
ELA
49%
2016
Math
24%
ELA
34%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
36%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
52%
2025
Math
27.6%
ELA
39%

* 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: 2.8/10.

How Shelby High Compares

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

Overall Score
4.3/10
15th percentile in NC
Academic
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.1/10
Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 3
Sports
4
2 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
40.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
12.8% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics4sports offered
2 boys'·2 girls'·17 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 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

230 E Dixon Boulevard, Shelby, NC 28152

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Shelby High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cleveland ECHS (rated 8.5/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Crest High (rated 6.6/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Burns High (rated 6.1/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Lawndale), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Shelby, see our Shelby schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Shelby Middle Shelby 1.0 mi 5.7
Cleveland Innovation Shelby 1.3 mi 7.0
Turning Point Academy Shelby 1.3 mi 3.9
James Love Elementary Shelby 1.7 mi 4.7
North Shelby Shelby 1.8 mi 6.5
Jefferson Elementary Shelby 2.4 mi 6.3
Elizabeth Elementary Shelby 2.5 mi 3.9
Cleveland ECHS Shelby 2.6 mi 8.5
Pinnacle Classical Academy Shelby 2.8 mi 6.3
Township Three Elementary Shelby 4.0 mi 4.5
Crest High Shelby 4.0 mi 6.6
Crest Middle Shelby 4.5 mi 7.0
Boiling Springs Elementary Shelby 7.0 mi 8.2
Bethware Elementary Kings Mountain 7.2 mi 7.4
Springmore Elementary Shelby 7.3 mi 8.5
Washington Elementary Shelby 7.8 mi 5.0
Grover Elementary Grover 8.7 mi 7.6
Union Elementary Shelby 9.2 mi 6.0
Burns High Lawndale 10.1 mi 6.1
CHARITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lawndale 9.9 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28152 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,926

Median Home Value

$188,200

Median Rent

$904/mo

Population

27,031

College Educated

23.5%

Homeownership

67.7%

Avg Commute

22.5 min

Poverty Rate

16.4%

Median Age

35

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bethany Community School Summerfield, NC 4.3
East Gaston High Mount Holly, NC 4.3
Granville Central High Stem, NC 4.3
Newton-Conover High Newton, NC 4.3
Pender High Burgaw, NC 4.3
SCORE Academy Cary, NC 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Shelby High

What grades does Shelby High serve?

Shelby High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Shelby High?

Shelby High has an enrollment of approximately 790 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Shelby High?

The student-teacher ratio at Shelby High is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Shelby High rank in NC?

Shelby High ranks #2,256 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Shelby High's MySchoolScout rating?

Shelby High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 Shelby High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Shelby High has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Shelby High a charter school?

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

Is Shelby High a Title I school?

No, Shelby High is not currently a Title I school.

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

99.6% of students at Shelby 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
45 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
790
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
53
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Cleveland County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
40.3%
4-Year Graduation
85.0%

District

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

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