For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public middle schools serving 5,826 students in Cleveland County, NC.
The top ranked public middle schools in Cleveland County, NC are Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy, Pinnacle Classical Academy and North Shelby. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cleveland County, NC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 59% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 50% statewide average). Middle schools in Cleveland County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of North Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public middle school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Cleveland County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy
Charter School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2527 Us 221a Hwy
Mooresboro, NC 28114
(828) 657-9998
Mooresboro, NC 28114
(828) 657-9998
Grades: K-12
| 1,428 students
Rank: #22.
Pinnacle Classical Academy
Charter School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2401 Joes Lake Rd
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 740-4040
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 740-4040
Grades: K-12
| 1,165 students
Rank: #33.
North Shelby
Special Education School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1701 Charles Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8230
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8230
Grades: PK-12
| 77 students
Rank: #44.
Kings Mountain Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1000 Phifer Road
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8340
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8340
Grades: 7-8
| 664 students
Rank: #55.
Burns Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
215 Shady Grove Road
Lawndale, NC 28090
(704) 476-8223
Lawndale, NC 28090
(704) 476-8223
Grades: 6-8
| 756 students
Rank: #66.
Crest Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
315 Beaverdam Church Rd
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8221
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8221
Grades: 6-8
| 833 students
Rank: #77.
Cleveland Innovation
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
400 W Marion St
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8000
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8000
Grades: K-12
| 164 students
Rank: #88.
Shelby Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1480 South Dekalb Street
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8328
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8328
Grades: 6-8
| 591 students
Rank: #99.
Turning Point Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
409 West Sumter Street
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8399
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8399
Grades: 6-12
| 148 students
Cleveland County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Davidson School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
500 W Parker Street
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 734-5677
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 734-5677
Grades: 7-12
| 39 students
220 South Post Rd
Shelby, NC 28152
(919) 807-3690
Shelby, NC 28152
(919) 807-3690
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
1100 Blanton Street
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8386
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8386
Grades: PK-4
| 209 students
410 Forest Hill Drive
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8381
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8381
Grades: PK-4
| 220 students
West Road Intermediate School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
500 W Parker Street
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 734-5677
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 734-5677
Grades: 6-11
| 56 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public middle schools in Cleveland County, NC?
The top ranked public middle schools in Cleveland County, NC include Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy, Pinnacle Classical Academy and North Shelby.
How many public middle schools are located in Cleveland County?
9 public middle schools are located in Cleveland County.
What is the racial composition of students in Cleveland County?
Cleveland County public middle schools minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public middle schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Cleveland County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Cleveland County include: Crest Middle School vs. Burns Middle School, Burns Middle School vs. Crest Middle School, Pinnacle Classical Academy vs. Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.