For the 2025 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 8,932 students in Shelby, NC (there are , serving 64 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Shelby, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Shelby, NC are Cleveland Echs, Pinnacle Classical Academy and Crest High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Shelby, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 55% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Shelby have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 48% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Shelby, NC (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Cleveland Echs
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 85-89% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1800 E. Marion Street
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8232
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8232
Grades: 9-13
| 214 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.
Crest High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
800 Old Boiling Springs
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8331
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8331
Grades: 9-12
| 1,101 students
Rank: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
Shelby High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
230 E Dixon Boulevard
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8325
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8325
Grades: 9-12
| 790 students
Rank: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #1515.
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: #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
Rank: #1717.
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
Shelby, North Carolina Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Shelby, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Shelby, NC include Cleveland Echs, Pinnacle Classical Academy and Crest High School.
How many public schools are located in Shelby?
17 public schools are located in Shelby.
What percentage of students in Shelby go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Shelby are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Shelby?
Shelby public schools minority enrollment is 48% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Shelby are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Shelby include: Springmore Elementary School vs. Boiling Springs Elementary School, Boiling Springs Elementary School vs. Springmore Elementary School, Cleveland Echs vs. Pinnacle Classical Academy
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