Private School Review - Established 2003

Best Cleveland County Private Schools (2026-27)

For the 2026-27 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 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).

Quick Facts (2026-27)

Quick Facts (2026-27)

Private Schools in Cleveland County (2026-27)

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

Overview

Category
This State (NC)
US
# Schools
5 Schools

Trends in Total Number of Private Schools

YearCleveland County Total Schools
20255
20245
20235
20225
20215
20205
20194
20184
20173
20163
20153
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full County Data: Full County Dataset XML | Full County Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# Students
247 Students
137,055 Students

Trends in the Average Number of Students Per Private School

YearCleveland County AverageNorth Carolina (NC) AverageNational Average
202549179179
202449171172
202345169174
202245173185
202145166180
202045157171
201955162175
201855158172
201755175180
201655172178
201555164167
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full County Data: Full County Dataset XML | Full County Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Average Students of Color
23%
24%

Percentage of Students of Color Trends (2015-2025)

YearCleveland County AverageNorth Carolina (NC) AverageNational Average
202523%24%34%
202423%23%34%
202325%23%33%
202222%21%33%
202122%21%32%
202022%20%32%
201919%20%31%
201819%19%31%
201711%21%32%
201611%21%32%
201511%21%32%
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full County Data: Full County Dataset XML | Full County Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
31 Teachers
13,667 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
10:1

Student-Teacher Ratio Trends (2015-2025)

YearCleveland County AverageNorth Carolina (NC) AverageNational Average
20258:110:111:1
20248:110:111:1
20239:110:111:1
20229:110:111:1
20219:110:111:1
20209:110:112:1
201910:110:112:1
201810:110:112:1
20178:110:112:1
20168:110:112:1
20158:110:112:1
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full County Data: Full County Dataset XML | Full County Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Average Class Size
18 students
15 students

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$7,875
$13,306

Students by Ethnicity:

0.48
0.58

Diversity Score Trends

YearCleveland County AverageNorth Carolina (NC) AverageNational Average
20250.480.580.65
20240.480.580.65
20230.510.580.65
20220.470.560.64
20210.470.550.64
20200.470.540.64
20190.500.530.63
20180.500.530.63
20170.520.510.61
20160.520.510.61
20150.520.500.61
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full County Data: Full County Dataset XML | Full County Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# American Indian Students
n/a
641 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
2 Students
4,215 Students
% Asian Students
1%
3%

Asian Student Percentage Trends

YearCleveland County AverageNorth Carolina (NC) AverageNational Average
20251%4%5%
20241%4%5%
20231%4%5%
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full County Data: Full County Dataset XML | Full County Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# Hispanic Students
9 Students
5,804 Students
% Hispanic Students
4%
4%

Hispanic Student Percentage Trends

YearCleveland County AverageNorth Carolina (NC) AverageNational Average
20254%5%9%
20244%5%9%
20234%4%9%
20221%3%8%
20211%3%9%
20201%3%9%
20173%2%8%
20163%2%8%
20153%2%8%
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full County Data: Full County Dataset XML | Full County Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# Black Students
11 Students
9,651 Students
% Black Students
4%
7%

Black Student Percentage Trends

YearCleveland County AverageNorth Carolina (NC) AverageNational Average
20254%7%7%
20244%7%7%
20235%7%8%
20227%7%7%
20217%7%7%
20207%7%8%
20194%7%7%
20184%7%7%
20172%6%7%
20162%7%7%
20152%7%8%
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full County Data: Full County Dataset XML | Full County Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# White Students
172 Students
79,836 Students
% White Students
69%
59%

White Student Percentage Trends

YearCleveland County AverageNorth Carolina (NC) AverageNational Average
202569%59%52%
202469%60%52%
202366%59%52%
202269%62%54%
202169%63%54%
202069%64%54%
201964%64%56%
201864%65%56%
201735%66%58%
201635%66%58%
201535%67%58%
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full County Data: Full County Dataset XML | Full County Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# Hawaiian Students
n/a
496 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
55 Students
34,468 Students
% of Others Students
22%
26%

Other Races Student Percentage Trends

YearCleveland County AverageNorth Carolina (NC) AverageNational Average
202522%25%26%
202422%24%26%
202324%26%25%
202223%25%25%
202123%24%25%
202023%22%24%
201932%23%24%
201832%22%23%
201760%23%22%
201660%23%22%
201560%21%21%
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full County Data: Full County Dataset XML | Full County Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

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?

Recent Articles

Will This Curriculum Still Matter in 2035?
Will This Curriculum Still Matter in 2035?
Learn how to evaluate future-ready private school curricula for 2035, focusing on durable knowledge, critical thinking, AI literacy, adaptability, communication, creativity, and real-world learning before choosing a school.
Private Schools for Creators, Trades & Startups
Private Schools for Creators, Trades & Startups
Explore how private schools support non-traditional career paths in creative industries, skilled trades, and entrepreneurship, plus what families should evaluate when choosing specialized programs for future-ready students today.
First 90 Days at Private School: Parent Guide
First 90 Days at Private School: Parent Guide
Learn how to read your child’s first 90 days at private school, distinguish healthy adjustment from genuine struggles, and know when academic, social, or emotional concerns require action.

Filter Schools

School Level
Must Offer Grade
▼ Show more
Gender
School Focus
Religious Affiliation
ADD/ADHD Support
Summer Program

Quick Links

SCHOOL SEARCH TOOLS:
SCHOOL BY TYPE (NC):
OPEN-HOUSES & JOBS:
PUBLIC & BOARDING SCHOOLS:
PRIVATE SCHOOL DATA: