For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public preschools serving 4,045 students in Shelby, NC.
The top-ranked public preschools in Shelby, NC are North Shelby, Boiling Springs Elementary School and Springmore Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Shelby, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 55% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Shelby have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public preschool average of 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Shelby, NC (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
North Shelby
Special Education School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1701 Charles Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8230
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8230
Gr: PK-12 | 76 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #22.
Boiling Springs Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1522 Patrick Avenue
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8361
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8361
Gr: PK-5 | 558 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #33.
Springmore Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
616 Mcbrayer Homestead Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8235
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8235
Gr: PK-5 | 618 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #44.
Jefferson Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1166 Wyke Road
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8390
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8390
Gr: PK-5 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #55.
James Love Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
309 James Love Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8385
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8385
Gr: PK-5 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #66.
Union Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1440 Union Church Road
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8250
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8250
Gr: PK-5 | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #77.
Washington Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1907 Stony Point Road
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8260
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 476-8260
Gr: PK-5 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #88.
Township Three Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
526 Davis Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8245
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8245
Gr: PK-5 | 540 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #99.
Elizabeth Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
220 S Post Road
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8371
Shelby, NC 28152
(704) 476-8371
Gr: PK-5 | 649 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Shelby, NC?
The top-ranked public preschools in Shelby, NC include North Shelby, Boiling Springs Elementary School and Springmore Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Shelby?
9 public preschools are located in Shelby.
What is the racial composition of students in Shelby?
Shelby public preschools minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public preschools average of 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Shelby are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Shelby include: Springmore Elementary School vs. Boiling Springs Elementary School, Boiling Springs Elementary School vs. Springmore Elementary School, Union Elementary School vs. Boiling Springs Elementary School
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.