Below Average
#2174 of 2,648 schools in NC
Shelby Middle
Middle School · Cleveland County Schools
1480 South Dekalb Street, Shelby, NC 28152
Enrollment
591
Student-Teacher
17.4:1
Score
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
591
Student-Teacher
17.4:1
Score
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Shelby
#15 of 17
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#374 of 475
In district
#26 of 28
Cleveland County Schools
About Shelby Middle
Shelby Middle is a regular public middle school located in Shelby, North Carolina, in Cleveland County. The school serves students from sixth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 591 students with a student-teacher ratio of 17.4:1. Located at 1480 South Dekalb Street, the campus is situated in a town setting, offering a community feel to its educational environment.
Shelby Middle has 34 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse student body. The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and state ranking at #2007 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina reflect areas where the school is working towards academic improvement. Shelby Middle currently has an average performance with 44% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 45% proficient or above in Math.
While there are opportunities for growth academically, Shelby Middle remains a supportive community focused on student development. The setting within the town of Shelby provides a close-knit environment where students can thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Shelby Middle — Students at Shelby Middle score 47% 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 12 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: 4.2/10.
How Shelby Middle Compares
See how Shelby Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 49% (2019) to 48.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 44% (2019) to 45.1% (2025).
Location
1480 South Dekalb Street, Shelby, NC 28152
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Shelby Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. North Shelby (rated 9.1/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Boiling Springs Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 6.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bethware Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Kings Mountain), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Shelby, see our Shelby schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Shelby High Shelby | 1.0 mi | 4.3 |
| James Love Elementary Shelby | 1.0 mi | 6.0 |
| North Shelby Shelby | 1.0 mi | 9.1 |
| Cleveland Innovation Shelby | 2.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Turning Point Academy Shelby | 2.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Township Three Elementary Shelby | 3.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Jefferson Elementary Shelby | 3.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Pinnacle Classical Academy Shelby | 3.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Elizabeth Elementary Shelby | 3.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Crest High Shelby | 3.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Cleveland ECHS Shelby | 3.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Crest Middle Shelby | 4.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Boiling Springs Elementary Shelby | 6.1 mi | 8.8 |
| Springmore Elementary Shelby | 6.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Bethware Elementary Kings Mountain | 7.8 mi | 8.7 |
| Grover Elementary Grover | 8.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Union Elementary Shelby | 9.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Washington Elementary Shelby | 8.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Blacksburg Primary Blacksburg | 10.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Blacksburg Elementary Blacksburg | 10.5 mi | 6.3 |
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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| East Lee Middle Sanford, NC | 4.9 |
| James Martin Middle Charlotte, NC | 4.9 |
| Lincolnton Middle Lincolnton, NC | 4.9 |
| Northern Granville Middle Oxford, NC | 4.9 |
| Randleman Middle School Randleman, NC | 4.9 |
| Spring Hill Middle Laurinburg, NC | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Shelby Middle
What grades does Shelby Middle serve?
Shelby Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Shelby Middle?
Shelby Middle has an enrollment of approximately 591 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Shelby Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Shelby Middle is 17.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Shelby Middle rank in NC?
Shelby Middle is ranked #2174 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Shelby Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Shelby Middle has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shelby Middle has 44.8% math proficiency and 44.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Shelby Middle a charter school?
No, Shelby Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Shelby Middle a Title I school?
No, Shelby Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shelby Middle?
99.5% of students at Shelby Middle 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 591
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Cleveland County
- Phone
- (704) 476-8328
- 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
- #26 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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