- Elizabeth Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 649 students
- Springmore Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 618 students
- Boiling Springs Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 558 students
- Bethware Elementary — Grades PK–4 · 548 students
- Township Three Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 540 students
- Fallston Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 502 students
- Jefferson Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 439 students
- Union Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 413 students
- Washington Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 376 students
- James Love Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 376 students
- Grover Elementary — Grades PK–4 · 323 students
- West Elementary — Grades PK–4 · 289 students
- Casar Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 275 students
- North Elementary — Grades PK–4 · 272 students
- East Elementary — Grades PK–4 · 199 students
- Crest Middle — Grades 6–8 · 810 students
- Burns Middle — Grades 6–8 · 744 students
- Kings Mountain Middle — Grades 7–8 · 631 students
- Kings Mountain Intermediate — Grades 5–6 · 601 students
- Shelby Middle — Grades 6–8 · 588 students
- Kings Mountain High — Grades 9–12 · 1,305 students
- Crest High — Grades 9–12 · 1,098 students
- Burns High — Grades 9–12 · 928 students
- Shelby High — Grades 9–12 · 792 students
- Cleveland ECHS — Grades 9 · 225 students
- Cleveland Innovation — Grades K–12 · 187 students
- Turning Point Academy — Grades 6–12 · 142 students
- North Shelby — Grades PK–12 · 76 students
with district
| Metric | Cleveland County Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | 29 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $10,300/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Near average |
About Cleveland County Schools
Cleveland County Schools is the public school district assigned to zip code 28136 in Cleveland, North Carolina. Serving students from Pre-K – 13, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 28136. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
According to NCES 2024–2025, Cleveland County Schools spends approximately $10,300 per student per year, placing it near the North Carolina state average of approximately $10,500 and below the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Below-average funding can mean larger class sizes, fewer elective offerings, and limited extracurricular programs. Families with specialized needs should verify specific program availability directly with the district. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
At multiple schools serving grades Pre-K – 13, Cleveland County Schools qualifies as a district of unknown size serving students from Pre-K – 13. Contact Cleveland County Schools to learn about available programs and services.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
With a rating of 8/10 (above average), Cleveland County Schools ranks among North Carolina’s above average-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because North Carolina is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Cleveland County Schools earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in North Carolina. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 28136
Children in zip code 28136 are assigned to Cleveland County Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 13. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 28136, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Cleveland County Schools at (704)476-8000 or visit www.clevelandcountyschools.org/. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — North Carolina districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Cleveland
For families considering a purchase in the Cleveland area, district assignment matters financially. Because Cleveland County Schools serves zip code 28136, homes in and around zip code 28136 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In North Carolina, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Cleveland County Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 28136.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Cleveland County Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 28136 data.