CSS NEUSE (Ironclad Gunboat) · Photo: Katyrw · CC BY-SA 4.0Kinston’s public schools score below 68% of North Carolina districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Kinston’s districts is 39%, below the North Carolina average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving Kinston, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.
From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Kinston’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 143 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Kinston’s, its schools beat 38%, higher than their 32% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 39% of tested students were proficient in reading and 39% in math, against 50% and 51% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,055 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Two elementary schools, then one middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Bethel Christian Academy (private) and Hope Preparatory School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Kinston’s grade
C: better than 32% of North Carolina school districts, #253 of 290 North Carolina towns. Both inputs trail the North Carolina average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Kinston, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Kinston · depends on your address
Northwest Elementary
Grades K–5 · 504 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Southeast Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 326 students · 14:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Kinston · depends on your address
Northwest Elementary
Grades K–5 · 504 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Southeast Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 326 students · 14:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Kinston · depends on your address
Northwest Elementary
Grades K–5 · 504 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Southeast Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 326 students · 14:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Kinston · depends on your address
Northwest Elementary
Grades K–5 · 504 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Southeast Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 326 students · 14:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Kinston · depends on your address
Northwest Elementary
Grades K–5 · 504 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Southeast Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 326 students · 14:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Kinston · depends on your address
Northwest Elementary
Grades K–5 · 504 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Southeast Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 326 students · 14:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Kinston
Rochelle Middle
Grades 6–8 · 517 students · 20:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Kinston
Rochelle Middle
Grades 6–8 · 517 students · 20:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Kinston
Rochelle Middle
Grades 6–8 · 517 students · 20:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Kinston · depends on your address
Kinston High
Grades 9–12 · 659 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Lenoir County Early College High
Grades 9–12 · 246 students · 30:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Kinston · depends on your address
Kinston High
Grades 9–12 · 659 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Lenoir County Early College High
Grades 9–12 · 246 students · 30:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Kinston · depends on your address
Kinston High
Grades 9–12 · 659 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Lenoir County Early College High
Grades 9–12 · 246 students · 30:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Kinston · depends on your address
Kinston High
Grades 9–12 · 659 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Lenoir County Early College High
Grades 9–12 · 246 students · 30:1 students per teacher
Kinston’s public schools are run by Lenoir County Schools, which also serves La Grange and Pink Hill. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Kinston vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Kinston’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Kinston | C | Lenoir County Schools |
Every school in Kinston
7 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Kinston’s schools
Are Kinston’s schools good?
On North Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Kinston children attend score below 68% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #253 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 38%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Kinston in?
Lenoir County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 8,331 students in 17 schools (2024–25).
Where do Kinston kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Kinston High and Lenoir County Early College High.
What is Kinston’s graduation rate?
84% of the class of 2023 in Lenoir County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Kinston spend per student?
$13,055 in Lenoir County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Kinston?
Yes: Bethel Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 393 students) and Hope Preparatory School (religious, grades K–6, 139 students).
Parents talk
What Kinston families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Kinston → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.