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Average

#1652 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

5.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,652 of 2,648

In Shelby

#11 of 17

public schools

In district

#21 of 28

Cleveland County Schools

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Shelby Middle

5.7/10

Middle School in Shelby · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Shelby High

4.3/10

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

James Love Elementary

4.7/10

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

About Shelby Middle

Shelby Middle is a public middle school in Shelby, NC, part of Cleveland County Schools. Shelby Middle serves approximately 591 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Shelby Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,652 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Shelby Middle show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

36% of students at Shelby Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.8Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.38 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48.9% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.1% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-8.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.1 pts
Overall Proficiency47% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+0.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
Resources & Environment3.9Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,540
Chronic Absenteeism36%

Shelby Middle — Students at Shelby Middle score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 43.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 45.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 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
75%
ELA
68%
2010
Math
68%
ELA
64%
2011
Math
78%
ELA
63%
2012
Math
31%
ELA
40%
2013
Math
31%
ELA
40%
2014
Math
25%
ELA
36%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
40%
2016
Math
25%
ELA
39%
2017
Math
45%
ELA
43%
2018
Math
49%
ELA
44%
2019
Math
49%
ELA
44%
2020*
Math
25%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
39.5%
2025
Math
48.7%
ELA
45.2%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Shelby Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
38th percentile in NC
Academic
5.8/10
Average
Growth
6.8/10
Average
Environment
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.0%

Programs & Offerings

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

1480 South Dekalb Street, Shelby, NC 28152

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Shelby Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Cleveland ECHS (rated 8.5/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Springmore Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 6.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Boiling Springs Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 6.1 miles away), 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 4.7
North Shelby Shelby 1.0 mi 6.5
Cleveland Innovation Shelby 2.0 mi 7.0
Turning Point Academy Shelby 2.0 mi 3.9
Township Three Elementary Shelby 3.4 mi 4.5
Jefferson Elementary Shelby 3.4 mi 6.3
Pinnacle Classical Academy Shelby 3.1 mi 6.3
Elizabeth Elementary Shelby 3.3 mi 3.9
Crest High Shelby 3.4 mi 6.6
Cleveland ECHS Shelby 3.4 mi 8.5
Crest Middle Shelby 4.0 mi 7.0
Boiling Springs Elementary Shelby 6.1 mi 8.2
Springmore Elementary Shelby 6.7 mi 8.5
Bethware Elementary Kings Mountain 7.8 mi 7.4
Grover Elementary Grover 8.5 mi 7.6
Union Elementary Shelby 9.5 mi 6.0
Washington Elementary Shelby 8.7 mi 5.0
Blacksburg Primary Blacksburg 10.0 mi 5.2
Blacksburg Elementary Blacksburg 10.5 mi 5.7

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
Cedar Grove Middle Supply, NC 5.7
Four Oaks Middle Four Oaks, NC 5.7
Nash Central Middle Nashville, NC 5.7
Chaloner Middle School Roanoke Rapids, NC 5.8
Eblen Intermediate Asheville, NC 5.8
Northview Middle Hickory, NC 5.8

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 ranks #1,652 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Shelby Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Shelby Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Shelby Middle has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
34 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.0%

District

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

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