Cleveland County Schools

Headquartered at 400 West Marion Street in Shelby, North Carolina, Cleveland County Schools operates as a fully open, traditional public school system serving the broader Shelby-Kings Mountain region. Set within a distinct rural fringe environment, this non-charter district manages 28 operational campuses designed to meet the diverse academic and developmental needs of its surrounding communities. The district delivers an expansive educational continuum, offering seamless academic pathways that extend from pre-kindergarten all the way through grade 13, which encompasses early childhood programs alongside specialized high school and post-secondary transitional coursework.

With a total enrollment of 14,504 students, Cleveland County Schools fosters a vibrant learning community enriched by its diverse student body. The demographic makeup includes 8,040 White, 3,841 Black, 1,470 Hispanic, and 1,034 multiracial learners, alongside Asian, American Indian, and Pacific Islander students. To champion student achievement and maintain daily operational excellence, the district relies on a sizable workforce of nearly 1,960 full-time equivalent staff members. This structural foundation is led by over 1,860 full-time equivalent teachers who provide dedicated classroom instruction and tailored guidance across every campus in the district.