Average
#2012 of 2,648 schools in NC
West Lincoln High
High School · Lincoln County Schools
172 Shoal Rd, Lincolnton, NC 28092
Enrollment
733
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
733
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
5.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lincolnton
#9 of 12
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#309 of 579
In district
#18 of 21
Lincoln County Schools
Equity
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About West Lincoln High
West Lincoln High serves 733 students in grades 9-12 in Lincolnton, North Carolina, earning a strong 7.6 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school ranks impressively at #501 out of 2,661 high schools statewide, placing it in the 81st percentile among North Carolina schools. With 45 full-time equivalent teachers, West Lincoln High maintains a manageable 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention.
The school demonstrates solid academic performance, with 65% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 55% reach proficiency in mathematics. These results contribute to the school's academic score of 8.2 out of 10. The school draws from a diverse community in the 28092 zip code area, where the median household income is $59,979 and median home values reach $202,600.
With 19% of area residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 12.7%, the school serves families from various economic backgrounds within Lincoln County's 41,002 residents. West Lincoln High operates in a rural setting on Shoal Road, providing students with a close-knit educational environment that balances strong academic achievement with the character and community connections typical of rural North Carolina schools.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, West Lincoln High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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West Lincoln High — Students at West Lincoln High score 50% proficient, which is above 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
→ 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: 3.6/10.
How West Lincoln High Compares
See how West Lincoln High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 35.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 43% (2019) to 65.4% (2025).
Location
172 Shoal Rd, Lincolnton, NC 28092
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Lincoln High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Fred T Foard High (rated 4.9/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Newton), with a comparable rating. Another option is Cherryville High (rated 4.8/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Cherryville), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Lincolnton High (rated 4.5/10, 7.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lincolnton, see our Lincolnton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| West Lincoln Middle Lincolnton | 0.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Union Elementary Vale | 2.5 mi | 6.1 |
| North Brook Elementary Vale | 3.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Childers Elementary Lincolnton | 4.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Cherryville High Cherryville | 6.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Banoak Elementary Vale | 6.9 mi | 8.3 |
| W B Beam Intermediate School Cherryville | 7.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Cherryville Elementary Cherryville | 7.5 mi | 5.4 |
| John Chavis Middle School Cherryville | 7.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Love Memorial Elementary Lincolnton | 6.9 mi | 4.4 |
| CHARITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lawndale | 7.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Fallston Elementary Fallston | 7.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Battleground Elementary Lincolnton | 7.1 mi | 9.1 |
| Lincolnton Middle Lincolnton | 7.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Lincolnton High Lincolnton | 7.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Jacobs Fork Middle Newton | 9.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Fred T Foard High Newton | 9.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Blackburn Elementary Newton | 9.5 mi | 7.6 |
| S Ray Lowder Elementary Lincolnton | 8.3 mi | 7.1 |
| GE Massey Elementary Lincolnton | 8.6 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28092 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,625
Median Home Value
$220,700
Median Rent
$937/mo
Population
40,224
College Educated
19.7%
Homeownership
70%
Avg Commute
26.9 min
Poverty Rate
11.7%
Median Age
43.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Lincoln High has a median household income of $62,625. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $220,700, with a median rent of $937/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.7%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Piedmont Classical High School Browns Summit, NC | 5.3 |
| Polk County High School Columbus, NC | 5.3 |
| Southern Wake Academy Holly Springs, NC | 5.3 |
| THALES ACADEMY Rolesville, NC | 5.3 |
| West Stokes High School King, NC | 5.3 |
| West Wilkes High School Millers Creek, NC | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Lincoln High
What grades does West Lincoln High serve?
West Lincoln High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend West Lincoln High?
West Lincoln High has an enrollment of approximately 733 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Lincoln High?
The student-teacher ratio at West Lincoln High is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Lincoln High rank in NC?
West Lincoln High is ranked #2012 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is West Lincoln High's MySchoolScout rating?
West Lincoln High has a composite rating of 5.3 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 West Lincoln High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Lincoln High has 49.7% math proficiency and 55.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Lincoln High a charter school?
No, West Lincoln High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Lincoln High a Title I school?
No, West Lincoln High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Lincoln High?
99.6% of students at West Lincoln 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,492/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lincolnton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 733
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Lincoln County
- Phone
- (704) 736-9453
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lincoln County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,642
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,722
- District Rank
- #18 of 21
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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