For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 8,497 students in Lenoir County, NC (there are 5 private schools, serving 1,190 private students). 88% of all K-12 students in Lenoir County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Lenoir County, NC are Lenoir County Early College High School, South Lenoir High School and Moss Hill Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lenoir County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Lenoir County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Lenoir County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lenoir County Early College High School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
231 Hwy 58 South
Kinston, NC 28502
(252) 233-6870
Kinston, NC 28502
(252) 233-6870
Gr: 9-13 | 217 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #22.
South Lenoir High School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3355 Old Hwy 11 South
Deep Run, NC 28525
(252) 568-6161
Deep Run, NC 28525
(252) 568-6161
Gr: 9-12 | 721 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #33.
Moss Hill Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6040 Hwy 55 West
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 569-5071
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 569-5071
Gr: K-5 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #44.
Woodington Middle School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4939 Hwy 258 South
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-9570
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-9570
Gr: 6-8 | 584 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #55.
E B Frink Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
102 N Martin Luther King Jr Dr
La Grange, NC 28551
(252) 566-3326
La Grange, NC 28551
(252) 566-3326
Gr: 6-8 | 488 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #66.
Banks Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2148 Falling Creek Rd
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-9470
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-9470
Gr: PK-5 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #77.
North Lenoir High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2400 Institute Road
La Grange, NC 28551
(252) 527-9184
La Grange, NC 28551
(252) 527-9184
Gr: 9-12 | 957 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #88.
Pink Hill Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2666 Hc Turner Road
Pink Hill, NC 28572
(252) 568-4176
Pink Hill, NC 28572
(252) 568-4176
Gr: PK-5 | 437 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #99.
Northwest Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1701 Old Well Rd
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-5143
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-5143
Gr: K-5 | 504 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1010.
Kinston High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2601 N Queen St
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-8067
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-8067
Gr: 9-12 | 659 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1111.
Contentnea-savannah School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3400 Ferrell Road
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-8591
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-8591
Gr: PK-8 | 789 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #1212.
La Grange Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
402 W Railroad St
La Grange, NC 28551
(252) 566-4036
La Grange, NC 28551
(252) 566-4036
Gr: PK-5 | 547 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1313.
Southwood Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1245 Hwy 58 South
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-9081
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-9081
Gr: PK-5 | 218 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1414.
Rochelle Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
301 N Rochelle Blvd
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-4290
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-4290
Gr: 6-8 | 517 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1515.
Southeast Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
201 Mcdaniels Street
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-4210
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-4210
Gr: PK-5 | 326 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1616.
Northeast Elementary School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1002 E Highland Ave
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-4166
Kinston, NC 28501
(252) 527-4166
Gr: PK-5 | 465 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1717.
Lenoir County Learning Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2529 Cedar Dell Lane, Haigler-
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-4264
Kinston, NC 28504
(252) 527-4264
Gr: PK-12 | 66 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Lenoir County, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Lenoir County, NC include Lenoir County Early College High School, South Lenoir High School and Moss Hill Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Lenoir County?
18 public schools are located in Lenoir County.
What percentage of students in Lenoir County go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in Lenoir County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Lenoir County?
Lenoir County public schools minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Lenoir County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Lenoir County include: Woodington Middle School vs. E B Frink Middle School, E B Frink Middle School vs. Woodington Middle School, Kinston High School vs. North Lenoir High School
Recent Articles
When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
Discover the hidden costs of public school in 2026, from supplies and fees to transportation, technology, and extracurricular expenses.
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
Learn how district budget cuts can affect class sizes, programs, staffing, transportation, and your child's daily school experience in 2026.
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
Learn how parents can assess school closure risk before buying or renting in a district, using enrollment, funding, and boundary data.
