Needs Improvement
#2382 of 2,648 schools in NC
Turning Point Academy
High School · Cleveland County Schools
409 West Sumter Street, Shelby, NC 28150
Enrollment
148
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
3.9
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
148
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
3.9
Grades
6th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,382 of 2,648
In Shelby
#17 of 17
public schools
In district
#28 of 28
Cleveland County Schools
Academic growth
8.0 / 10
Excellent
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Turning Point Academy
High School in Shelby · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cleveland Innovation
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Shelby High
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Turning Point Academy
Turning Point Academy is a public high school in Shelby, NC, part of Cleveland County Schools. Turning Point Academy serves approximately 148 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Turning Point Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #2,382 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Turning Point Academy show 11% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 15% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 6.0
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 148 students, Turning Point Academy is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Test scores at Turning Point Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
78% of students at Turning Point Academy 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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Turning Point Academy — Students at Turning Point Academy score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 31 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: 8.0/10.
How Turning Point Academy Compares
See how Turning Point Academy 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
409 West Sumter Street, Shelby, NC 28150
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Turning Point Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cleveland ECHS (rated 8.5/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Crest High (rated 6.6/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Burns High (rated 6.1/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Lawndale), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Shelby, see our Shelby schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Innovation Shelby | 0.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Shelby High Shelby | 1.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Shelby Middle Shelby | 2.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Jefferson Elementary Shelby | 2.0 mi | 6.3 |
| James Love Elementary Shelby | 2.2 mi | 4.7 |
| North Shelby Shelby | 2.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Elizabeth Elementary Shelby | 3.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Cleveland ECHS Shelby | 3.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Pinnacle Classical Academy Shelby | 3.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Crest High Shelby | 3.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Crest Middle Shelby | 4.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Township Three Elementary Shelby | 5.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Boiling Springs Elementary Shelby | 7.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Union Elementary Shelby | 7.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Springmore Elementary Shelby | 7.0 mi | 8.5 |
| Burns High Lawndale | 8.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Washington Elementary Shelby | 7.5 mi | 5.0 |
| CHARITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lawndale | 8.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Burns Middle Lawndale | 9.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Bethware Elementary Kings Mountain | 8.0 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28150 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,027
Median Home Value
$195,600
Median Rent
$793/mo
Population
26,447
College Educated
24.4%
Homeownership
68.3%
Avg Commute
24.2 min
Poverty Rate
18%
Median Age
47.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Wolfe School Monroe, NC | 3.9 |
| Bartram Academy Franklin, NC | 3.8 |
| South Providence Waxhaw, NC | 4.1 |
| Charlotte Secondary Charlotte, NC | 3.4 |
| Warlick Academy Gastonia, NC | 3.4 |
| Military and Global Leadership Charlotte, NC | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Turning Point Academy
What grades does Turning Point Academy serve?
Turning Point Academy serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Turning Point Academy?
Turning Point Academy has an enrollment of approximately 148 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Turning Point Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Turning Point Academy is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Turning Point Academy rank in NC?
Turning Point Academy ranks #2,382 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Turning Point Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Turning Point Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 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 Turning Point Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Turning Point Academy has 11% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 15% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Turning Point Academy a charter school?
No, Turning Point Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Turning Point Academy a Title I school?
No, Turning Point Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Turning Point Academy?
98.0% of students at Turning Point Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 148
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.0%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Cleveland County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 77.7%
- Phone
- (704) 476-8399
- 4-Year Graduation
- 44.5%
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
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