Skip to main content

Very Good

#810 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 31% in state

West Lincoln High

High School · Lincoln County Schools

172 Shoal Rd, Lincolnton, NC 28092

Enrollment

733

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

7.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#810 of 2,648

In Lincolnton

#2 of 12

public schools

In district

#7 of 21

Lincoln County Schools

Equity

9.6 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around West Lincoln High?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

West Lincoln High

7.3/10

High School in Lincolnton · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

West Lincoln Middle

6.4/10

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

Union Elementary

8.2/10

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

About West Lincoln High

West Lincoln High is a public high school in Lincolnton, NC, part of Lincoln County Schools. West Lincoln High serves approximately 733 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. West Lincoln High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #810 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for West Lincoln High show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.3 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.0
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

West Lincoln High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.94 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.1Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74.1% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency65.4% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+18.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.8 pts
Overall Proficiency70% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+23.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College Readiness7.2Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate89%
AP Participation17.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,722
Chronic Absenteeism29.3%

West Lincoln High — Students at West Lincoln High score 70% 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

99.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 55.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 52.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
87%
ELA
66%
2010
Math
85%
ELA
68%
2011
Math
85%
ELA
82%
2012
Math
43%
ELA
43%
2013
Math
42%
ELA
45%
2014
Math
46%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
48%
ELA
41%
2016
Math
35%
ELA
40%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
43%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
43%
2020*
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2025
Math
74.1%
ELA
65.4%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How West Lincoln High Compares

See how West Lincoln High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
69th percentile in NC
Academic
9.1/10
Excellent
Growth
8.1/10
Excellent
Environment
4.4/10
Below Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3
Sports
20
10 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
17.5% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics20sports offered
10 boys'·10 girls'·26 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

172 Shoal Rd, Lincolnton, NC 28092

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Lincoln High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Cherryville High (rated 7.5/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Cherryville), with a very similar rating. Another option is Lincolnton High (rated 6.4/10, 7.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Fred T Foard High (rated 5.7/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Newton), a more accessible option. 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 6.4
Union Elementary Vale 2.5 mi 8.2
North Brook Elementary Vale 3.7 mi 7.1
Childers Elementary Lincolnton 4.1 mi 4.9
Cherryville High Cherryville 6.6 mi 7.5
Banoak Elementary Vale 6.9 mi 6.5
W B Beam Intermediate School Cherryville 7.2 mi 5.1
Cherryville Elementary Cherryville 7.5 mi 7.7
John Chavis Middle School Cherryville 7.9 mi 5.6
Love Memorial Elementary Lincolnton 6.9 mi 3.9
CHARITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lawndale 7.6 mi 4.8
Fallston Elementary Fallston 7.4 mi 6.6
Battleground Elementary Lincolnton 7.1 mi 7.2
Lincolnton Middle Lincolnton 7.4 mi 4.8
Lincolnton High Lincolnton 7.3 mi 6.4
Jacobs Fork Middle Newton 9.0 mi 6.6
Fred T Foard High Newton 9.2 mi 5.7
Blackburn Elementary Newton 9.5 mi 6.4
S Ray Lowder Elementary Lincolnton 8.3 mi 5.3
GE Massey Elementary Lincolnton 8.6 mi 7.0

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
East Rutherford High School Forest City, NC 7.3
Midway High Newton Grove, NC 7.3
North Davidson High Lexington, NC 7.3
Piedmont Classical High School Browns Summit, NC 7.3
Avery County High Newland, NC 7.2
Bandys High Catawba, NC 7.2

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 ranks #810 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is West Lincoln High's MySchoolScout rating?

West Lincoln High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 West Lincoln High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Lincoln High has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
17 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.3%
4-Year Graduation
89.0%

District

Lincoln County Schools
District Enrollment
11,642
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,722
District Rank
#7 of 21

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.