Best Cleveland County Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 5 private schools serving 247 students in Cleveland County, NC (there are 30 public schools, serving 17,051 public students). 1% of all K-12 students in Cleveland County, NC are educated in private schools (compared to the NC state average of 8%).
100% of private schools in Cleveland County, NC are religiously affiliated (most commonly Baptist and Christian).

Private Schools in Cleveland County (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Ambassador Baptist Academy
(Baptist)
101 Stockton St
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 434-0303
Gr: 1-12 | 21 students
Charity Christian School
(Baptist)
113 Charity Church Rd
Lawndale, NC 28090
(704) 419-4574
Gr: K-12 | 38 students
Grace Christian Academy
(Baptist)
260 Range Rd
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704) 734-0509
Gr: PK-12 | 145 students Avg. class size: 18 students Tuition listed
Twelve Oaks Academy
(Christian)
701 West Oak Street
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 487-4261
Gr: K-12 | 22 students
Willow Tree Community School
Alternative School (Christian)
1050 Sam Lattimore Rd
Shelby, NC 28152
(980) 295-2661
Gr: 5-12 | 21 students

Overview

This County (Cleveland County)
This State (NC)
# Schools
5 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
247 Students
136,591 Students
% Average Students of Color
23%
24%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
31 Teachers
13,631 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
10:1
Average Class Size
18 students
15 students

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$7,875
$13,164

Students by Ethnicity:

0.48
0.58
# American Indian Students
n/a
641 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
2 Students
4,215 Students
% Asian Students
1%
3%
# Hispanic Students
9 Students
5,804 Students
% Hispanic Students
4%
4%
# Black Students
11 Students
9,651 Students
% Black Students
4%
7%
# White Students
172 Students
79,836 Students
% White Students
69%
59%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
496 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
1%
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
55 Students
34,009 Students
% of Others Students
22%
25%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Frequently Asked Questions

How many private schools are located in Cleveland County, NC?
5 private schools are located in Cleveland County, NC.
How diverse are private schools in Cleveland County?
Cleveland County private schools are approximately 23% minority students, which is lower than the North Carolina private school average of 24%.
What percentage of students in Cleveland County go to private school?
1% of all K-12 students in Cleveland County are educated in private schools (compared to the NC state average of 8%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Cleveland County?
100% of private schools in Cleveland County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Baptist and Christian).
Which private schools in Cleveland County are often viewed compared to one another?

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