For the 2025 school year, there are 16 public preschools serving 6,326 students in Cleveland County, NC.
The top ranked public preschools in Cleveland County, NC are North Shelby, Boiling Springs Elementary School and Springmore Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cleveland County, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 57% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Cleveland County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public preschool average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Cleveland County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
Boiling Springs Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1522 Patrick Avenue
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8361
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8361
Grades: PK-5
| 555 students
Rank: #33.
Springmore Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
616 Mcbrayer Homestead Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8235
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8235
Grades: PK-5
| 581 students
Rank: #44.
Casar Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
436 Schoolhouse Road
Casar, NC 28020
(704) 476-8255
Casar, NC 28020
(704) 476-8255
Grades: PK-5
| 279 students
Rank: #55.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1166 Wyke Road
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8390
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8390
Grades: PK-5
| 425 students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Grover Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
206 Carolina Avenue
Grover, NC 28073
(704) 476-8351
Grover, NC 28073
(704) 476-8351
Grades: PK-4
| 323 students
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
West Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
500 W Mountain Street
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8345
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8345
Grades: PK-4
| 287 students
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Bethware Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
115 Bethware Drive
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8346
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8346
Grades: PK-4
| 530 students
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
East Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
600 Cleveland Avenue
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8356
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8356
Grades: PK-4
| 203 students
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
James Love Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
309 James Love Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8385
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8385
Grades: PK-5
| 356 students
Rank: #1111.
Fallston Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
112 Gary Street
Fallston, NC 28042
(704) 476-8240
Fallston, NC 28042
(704) 476-8240
Grades: PK-5
| 487 students
Rank: #1212.
North Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
900 N Ramseur Street
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8225
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 476-8225
Grades: PK-4
| 291 students
Rank: #1313.
Union Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1440 Union Church Road
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8250
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8250
Grades: PK-5
| 424 students
Rank: #1414.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1907 Stony Point Road
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8260
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8260
Grades: PK-5
| 386 students
Rank: #1515.
Township Three Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
526 Davis Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8245
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8245
Grades: PK-5
| 541 students
Rank: #1616.
Elizabeth Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
220 S Post Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8371
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8371
Grades: PK-5
| 581 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 preschools in Cleveland County, NC?
The top ranked public preschools in Cleveland County, NC include North Shelby, Boiling Springs Elementary School and Springmore Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Cleveland County?
16 public preschools are located in Cleveland County.
What is the racial composition of students in Cleveland County?
Cleveland County public preschools minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public preschools average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Cleveland County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Cleveland County include: West Elementary School vs. East Elementary School, Springmore Elementary School vs. Boiling Springs Elementary School, Boiling Springs Elementary School vs. Springmore Elementary School
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.
