For the 2025 school year, there are 3 public high schools serving 984 students in Kinston, NC.
The top ranked public high schools in Kinston, NC are Lenoir County Early College High School, Kinston High School and Lenoir County Learning Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Kinston, NC public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 46% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 58% statewide average). High schools in Kinston have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public high schools.
Kinston, NC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 70%, which is less than the North Carolina average of 85%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Lenoir County Early College High School, with ≥90% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 87% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public high school average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Kinston, NC (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Lenoir County Early College High School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
231 Hwy 58 South
Kinston, NC 28502
(252) 233-6870
Kinston, NC 28502
(252) 233-6870
Grades: 9-13
| 206 students
Rank: #22.
Kinston High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2601 N Queen St
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-8067
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-8067
Grades: 9-12
| 706 students
Rank: #33.
Lenoir County Learning Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2529 Cedar Dell Lane, Haigler-
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-4264
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-4264
Grades: PK-12
| 72 students
Kinston, North Carolina Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
100 Bynum Blvd
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-4166
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-4166
Grades: K-5
| 207 students
Caswell Center (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
2415 West Vernon Ave
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 208-3410
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 208-3410
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
Dobbs School (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
3060 Dobbs Farm Rd
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 522-0511
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 522-0511
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Kennedy Home (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
2557 Cedar Dell Lane
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-4432
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-4432
Grades: K-12
| 71 students
Kinston Charter Academy (Closed 2014)
Charter School
2000 Martin L King Jr Blvd
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 522-0210
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 522-0210
Grades: K-8
| 297 students
Lewis School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
501 North Independence Street
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-3456
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-3456
Grades: 6-12
| 39 students
500 Marcella Dr
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-0225
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-0225
Grades: PK-5
| 376 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public high schools in Kinston, NC?
The top ranked public high schools in Kinston, NC include Lenoir County Early College High School, Kinston High School and Lenoir County Learning Academy.
How many public high schools are located in Kinston?
3 public high schools are located in Kinston.
What is the racial composition of students in Kinston?
Kinston public high schools minority enrollment is 87% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public high schools average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
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.