Below Average
#2378 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
Enrollment
790
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
4.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Shelby
#17 of 17
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#447 of 579
In district
#28 of 28
Cleveland County Schools
About Shelby High
Shelby High serves grades 9 through 12 in Shelby, North Carolina, a town in Cleveland County. The school enrolls 790 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1 and 53 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Shelby High has room for growth.
The school's current performance shows that 46% of students are proficient or above in ELA and reading, while 26% meet proficiency benchmarks in math. These results reflect significant challenges in student achievement, particularly in mathematics. The school ranks in the 8th percentile among North Carolina schools, indicating it's working toward improving student outcomes across core subjects.
As a regular public high school, Shelby High provides standard secondary education to its community. The school's location in Shelby places it in a town setting, serving families in the local area who are looking for convenient access to public secondary education.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Shelby High — Students at Shelby High score 28% 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
↓ 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: 1.9/10.
How Shelby High Compares
See how Shelby High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 17.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 39% (2025).
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 6.5/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Burns High (rated 6.2/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Lawndale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Turning Point Academy (rated 5.9/10, 1.3 miles away), 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 | 4.9 |
| Cleveland Innovation Shelby | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Turning Point Academy Shelby | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| James Love Elementary Shelby | 1.7 mi | 6.0 |
| North Shelby Shelby | 1.8 mi | 9.1 |
| Jefferson Elementary Shelby | 2.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Elizabeth Elementary Shelby | 2.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Cleveland ECHS Shelby | 2.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Pinnacle Classical Academy Shelby | 2.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Township Three Elementary Shelby | 4.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Crest High Shelby | 4.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Crest Middle Shelby | 4.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Boiling Springs Elementary Shelby | 7.0 mi | 8.8 |
| Bethware Elementary Kings Mountain | 7.2 mi | 8.7 |
| Springmore Elementary Shelby | 7.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Washington Elementary Shelby | 7.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Grover Elementary Grover | 8.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Union Elementary Shelby | 9.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Burns High Lawndale | 10.1 mi | 6.2 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Shelby High has a median household income of $55,926. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $188,200, with a median rent of $904/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.4%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Bethany Community School Summerfield, NC | 4.3 |
| North Rowan High Spencer, NC | 4.3 |
| Trinity High School Trinity, NC | 4.3 |
| Charlotte-Mecklenburg Virtual School Charlotte, NC | 4.2 |
| Mount Pleasant High Mount Pleasant, NC | 4.2 |
| Smoky Mountain High School Sylva, NC | 4.2 |
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 is ranked #2378 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Shelby High's MySchoolScout rating?
Shelby High has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Shelby High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shelby High has 22.3% math proficiency and 46.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,500/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Shelby). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (704) 476-8325
- 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
- #28 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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