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Pinnacle Classical Academy

Q: Is Pinnacle Classical Academy a good school?

Pinnacle Classical Academy ranks 486 th of 1490 North Carolina alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter, Alternative Grades K-12

486^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,490 North Carolina Alternative Schools

Better than 67% of North Carolina alternative schools

Summary

Pinnacle Classical Academy is a public charter school located in Shelby, North Carolina, serving grades K-12 with a total enrollment of 1,165 students. This school has consistently demonstrated strong academic performance, outpacing the state averages across various subjects and grade levels.

Pinnacle Classical Academy's academic excellence is evident in its proficiency rates, which have been significantly higher than the state average in areas such as 3rd grade mathematics (68% vs. 64.1%), 6th grade mathematics (78.6% vs. 57.2%), 6th grade reading (72.4% vs. 52.3%), and 8th grade science (77.9% vs. 60.1%). The school's performance on end-of-course (EOC) exams, including Biology, English II, and Math III, has also exceeded the state averages. This consistent academic achievement suggests that the school's educational approach and curriculum are effective in preparing students for success.

When compared to nearby charter schools, such as Piedmont Community Charter School and Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy, Pinnacle Classical Academy generally outperforms them in academic proficiency rates, particularly in mathematics and reading. However, the school's relatively high student-teacher ratio, ranging from 24.9 to 29.6 over the past few years, may be a factor to consider in terms of the school's ability to provide individualized attention and support to its students.

1,178

Students ?

27.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

19.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2401 Joes Lake Rd
Shelby, NC 28152

(704) 740-4040

District: Pinnacle Classical Academy

Racial breakdown:

White:

72.0%

African American:

10.4%

Two or more races:

8.1%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

Compare Pinnacle Classical Academy to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 65th percentile in 2022 → 67th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the North Carolina average (65% vs 56% meeting standards)

✓Above the North Carolina median (67th percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Large classes — about 28 students per teacher

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school65%

North Carolina avg56%

Elementary school

486^th of 1,490

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Top 33%▼ down 4 pts since 2015

From top 28% (2015) to top 33% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

120^th of 773

North Carolina public middle schools ?

Top 16%▼ down 8 pts since 2015

From top 8% (2015) to top 16% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

211^th of 641

North Carolina public high schools ?

Top 33%▼ down 10 pts since 2021

From top 23% (2021) to top 33% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	64.9	486 of 1490	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	78.1	276 of 1505	81.7%	★★★★☆
2023	76.1	299 of 1502	80.1%	★★★★☆
2022	86.0	163 of 1514	89.2%	★★★★☆
2021	90.6	112 of 1489	92.5%	★★★★★
2019	83.2	193 of 1473	86.9%	★★★★☆
2018	66.2	480 of 1434	66.5%	★★★☆☆
2017	77.6	267 of 1429	81.3%	★★★★☆
2016	81.2	206 of 1425	85.5%	★★★★☆
2015	70.5	405 of 1440	71.9%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	78.1	126 of 918	86.3%	★★★★☆
2024	76.0	141 of 924	84.7%	★★★★☆
2023	87.6	59 of 933	93.7%	★★★★★
2022	84.7	71 of 927	92.3%	★★★★★
2019	95.4	15 of 949	98.4%	★★★★★

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2022	75.0	78 of 634	87.7%	★★★★☆
2021	65.8	127 of 646	80.3%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	67.1	414 of 1451	71.5%	★★★★☆
2024	75.5	280 of 1455	80.8%	★★★★☆
2023	69.9	390 of 1459	73.3%	★★★★☆
2022	84.1	171 of 1458	88.3%	★★★★☆
2021	88.5	119 of 1440	91.7%	★★★★★
2019	81.8	181 of 1424	87.3%	★★★★☆
2018	62.2	542 of 1405	61.4%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2022	78.1	121 of 893	86.5%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	64.9	396 of 1437	72.4%	★★★★☆
2024	85.6	91 of 1450	93.7%	★★★★★
2023	80.5	152 of 1437	89.4%	★★★★☆
2022	89.4	55 of 1366	96.0%	★★★★★
2021	93.0	36 of 1329	97.3%	★★★★★
2019	85.0	98 of 1361	92.8%	★★★★★
2018	48.1	696 of 1332	47.7%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	60.5	536 of 1450	63.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	78.3	260 of 1464	82.2%	★★★★☆
2023	81.3	208 of 1461	85.8%	★★★★☆
2022	85.5	160 of 1464	89.1%	★★★★☆
2021	90.3	102 of 1444	92.9%	★★★★★
2019	81.9	192 of 1430	86.6%	★★★★☆
2018	67.8	424 of 1413	70.0%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	51.8	86 of 175	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	59.0	55 of 154	64.3%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	50.0	335 of 821	59.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	72.7	112 of 801	86.0%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	44.0	701 of 1172	40.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	59.1	467 of 1166	59.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	63.8	406 of 1183	65.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	74.7	262 of 1194	78.1%	★★★★☆
2021	76.6	232 of 1172	80.2%	★★★★☆
2019	70.7	308 of 1183	74.0%	★★★★☆
2018	49.6	646 of 1178	45.2%	★★☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	81.8	120 of 773	84.5%	★★★★☆
2024	90.1	63 of 793	92.1%	★★★★★
2023	93.7	34 of 784	95.7%	★★★★★
2022	93.1	44 of 786	94.4%	★★★★★
2021	94.8	34 of 741	95.4%	★★★★★
2019	90.3	45 of 737	93.9%	★★★★★
2018	76.5	140 of 691	79.7%	★★★★☆
2017	80.5	113 of 694	83.7%	★★★★☆
2016	78.2	128 of 692	81.5%	★★★★☆
2015	89.3	53 of 705	92.5%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	94.0	26 of 546	95.2%	★★★★★
2024	97.6	14 of 560	97.5%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	78.6	134 of 733	81.7%	★★★★☆
2024	90.2	54 of 738	92.7%	★★★★★
2023	93.5	33 of 731	95.5%	★★★★★
2022	94.0	31 of 733	95.8%	★★★★★
2021	95.3	22 of 706	96.9%	★★★★★
2019	92.7	26 of 684	96.2%	★★★★★
2018	69.5	192 of 656	70.7%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	86.3	43 of 562	92.3%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	83.5	66 of 729	90.9%	★★★★★
2024	96.0	15 of 743	98.0%	★★★★★
2023	96.6	11 of 735	98.5%	★★★★★
2022	95.5	14 of 689	98.0%	★★★★★
2021	96.2	7 of 633	98.9%	★★★★★
2019	91.0	21 of 639	96.7%	★★★★★
2018	55.4	249 of 604	58.8%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	82.9	101 of 733	86.2%	★★★★☆
2024	86.3	82 of 751	89.1%	★★★★☆
2023	92.3	44 of 747	94.1%	★★★★★
2022	89.9	59 of 748	92.1%	★★★★★
2021	93.2	41 of 711	94.2%	★★★★★
2019	86.3	71 of 697	89.8%	★★★★☆
2018	70.0	181 of 665	72.8%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2024	76.8	40 of 473	91.5%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	69.3	185 of 649	71.5%	★★★★☆
2024	80.8	121 of 652	81.4%	★★★★☆
2023	86.3	68 of 656	89.6%	★★★★☆
2022	83.7	88 of 658	86.6%	★★★★☆
2021	88.0	64 of 632	89.9%	★★★★★
2019	82.3	91 of 624	85.4%	★★★★☆
2018	70.9	156 of 596	73.8%	★★★★☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	63.4	211 of 641	67.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	75.0	155 of 640	75.8%	★★★★☆
2023	71.8	166 of 626	73.5%	★★★★☆
2022	62.5	216 of 621	65.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	73.3	136 of 594	77.1%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	62.7	209 of 610	65.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	79.5	130 of 602	78.4%	★★★★☆
2023	87.5	78 of 588	86.7%	★★★★☆
2022	57.8	239 of 594	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	76.0	65 of 475	86.3%	★★★★☆
2019	72.9	81 of 475	82.9%	★★★★☆
2018	76.3	74 of 449	83.5%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	64.5	164 of 606	72.9%	★★★★☆
2024	55.1	215 of 613	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	51.9	235 of 597	60.6%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	55.0	243 of 601	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	73.4	155 of 607	74.5%	★★★★☆
2023	65.0	187 of 602	68.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	73.1	150 of 585	74.4%	★★★★☆
2021	70.1	78 of 481	83.8%	★★★★☆
2019	78.6	52 of 488	89.3%	★★★★☆
2018	69.9	97 of 463	79.0%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	47.3	286 of 542	47.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	66.3	195 of 553	64.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	66.0	182 of 537	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	48.2	267 of 534	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	67.2	94 of 439	78.6%	★★★★☆
2019	65.8	105 of 444	76.4%	★★★★☆
2018	64.9	126 of 427	70.5%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Disabled (2022)88th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2022)86th percentile-3 vs school

African American (2025)86th percentile+19 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)72nd percentile+5 vs school

Female (2025)71st percentile+4 vs school

Male (2025)63rd percentile-4 vs school

Special Education (2025)59th percentile-8 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)51st percentile-17 vs school

White (2025)40th percentile-27 vs school

Middle school

African American (2025)95th percentile+11 vs school

Hispanic (2025)92nd percentile+8 vs school

Special Education (2024)92nd percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)91st percentile+6 vs school

Male (2025)86th percentile~ school

Female (2025)82nd percentile-3 vs school

White (2025)71st percentile-13 vs school

High school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)73rd percentile+6 vs school

Female (2025)66th percentile~ school

Male (2025)60th percentile-8 vs school

White (2025)47th percentile-20 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2024-2025) ?

English II82%+23 vs state

Math III68%~ state avg

Reading66%+13 vs state

Mathematics64%+7 vs state

Science61%~ state avg

Biology50%~ state avg

3.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Tuesday, April 16, 2024

It's sad how much is swept under the rug and not handled even when the authority has come several times and got involved and the co founders. As a mom I wouldn't and didn't put up with it. It's sad what our children deal with because of the school system. They want to look good in socials eyes, but don't fix issues.

Now ontop of it yesterday they are punishing all the kids in upper campus cause of vandalism they can't use the bathroom during class. They have to hold it have a hurt blatter. I'm sure UTIs will be happening from this as well as stomach issues. I'm sorry, but let's punish the kids that are good and make them not care anymore since they are getting in trouble as well. I'm sorry, but thar is abuse and wrong. It's sad I feel for these kids. Mine for sure would have been gone from all the crap that has been going on this year.

I'm glad God has made it for me to be able to homeschool my son, teach him and not worry about having to be escorted to classes because of bullying not being handled still, being bullied, throwing my kids lunch down everyday, being cournered, hit in the bathroom and cournered cause no one watching and so much more. Worst off telling kids to go kill himself or threatening to sacrifice them. It's ridiculous and sad.

They don't care it's all about using people and the money. They keep everything hush hush so they can look good, but dang if ya talk or post man do they step up and act like they didn't know about the situation. Why we left and so glad WONT ever change my mine.

I went above and beyond when my son was there for years did book fair, was a sub for many classes alone no help, dances, chaperoned, holiday parties and much more for years.

The way when my son was threatened 2 different times how it was handle a little slap on the wrist and if you do that again your going to walk. Are you serious when a kid says there going to kill you and another days there going to sacrifice you. Close Quote

Schools Near Pinnacle Classical Academy

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				EOC Biology (2025)	EOC English II (2025)	EOC Math I (2025)	EOC Math III (2025)	EOG Mathematics (2025)						EOG Reading (2025)						EOG Science (2025)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	EOC Biology End of Course	EOC English II End of Course	EOC Math I End of Course	EOC Math III End of Course	EOG Mathematics 3rd Grade	EOG Mathematics 4th Grade	EOG Mathematics 5th Grade	EOG Mathematics 6th Grade	EOG Mathematics 7th Grade	EOG Mathematics 8th Grade	EOG Reading 3rd Grade	EOG Reading 4th Grade	EOG Reading 5th Grade	EOG Reading 6th Grade	EOG Reading 7th Grade	EOG Reading 8th Grade	EOG Science 5th Grade	EOG Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Pinnacle Classical Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	2401 Joes Lake Rd	Shelby	28152	Cleveland County	Pinnacle Classical Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(704) 740-4040	1,178	42	27.7		848 (72.0%)	122 (10.4%)	86 (7.3%)	27 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	95 (8.1%)								(n/a)	50.5	82.4		68.5	68.0	64.4	59.6	78.6	55.1	58.9	60.8	63.3	52.5	72.4	71.9	74.7	45.5	77.9
Cleveland Innovation	Public, Virtual, Alternative	K-12	400 W Marion St	Shelby	28150	Cleveland County	Cleveland County Schools	No	No	Yes	No	(704) 476-8163	187	13	14.2	56.7%	124 (66.3%)	28 (15.0%)	16 (8.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (9.6%)								(n/a)	13.6	61.9	22.2	35.7				69.2	31.6	76.2				76.9	57.9	85.7		71.4
North Shelby	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	1701 Charles Road	Shelby	28152	Cleveland County	Cleveland County Schools	No	No	No	No	(704) 476-8230	76	13	5.6	96.1%	43 (56.6%)	18 (23.7%)	8 (10.5%)	1 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.3%)	5 (6.6%)								(n/a)																			$33,367	$4,866	$28,501
Webb Street School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	1623 N Webb Street	Gastonia	28052	Gaston County	Gaston County Schools	No	No	No	No	(704) 864-9667	163	20	8.2	98.2%	80 (49.1%)	43 (26.4%)	28 (17.2%)	2 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (6.1%)								(n/a)																			$31,277	$3,221	$28,057
Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	2527 US 221A Hwy	Mooresboro	28114	Rutherford County	Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(828) 657-9998	1,330	62	21.4		907 (68.2%)	111 (8.3%)	150 (11.3%)	35 (2.6%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	124 (9.3%)								(n/a)	68.5	80.9	13.6	88.5	73.9	77.6	87.7	81.3	83.3	71.7	57.4	87.8	73.6	68.9	80.4	77.0	76.4	87.5
Piedmont Community Charter School	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	2596 Robinwood Road	Gastonia	28054	Gaston County	Piedmont Community Charter	Yes	No	No	Yes	(704) 853-2428	1,963	129	15.2		957 (48.8%)	383 (19.5%)	460 (23.4%)	29 (1.5%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	133 (6.8%)								(n/a)	70.1	73.1	66.7	90.3	61.1	63.9	62.7	66.5	51.6	78.1	58.8	63.2	46.8	52.3	51.0	71.9	51.3	69.4

Frequently Asked Questions about Pinnacle Classical Academy

What is the racial makeup of Pinnacle Classical Academy?

Students at Pinnacle Classical Academy are 72% White, 10% African American, 8% Two or more races, 7% Hispanic, 2% Asian.

Is Pinnacle Classical Academy a good school?

Pinnacle Classical Academy ranks 486^th of 1490 North Carolina alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Pinnacle Classical Academy in?

Pinnacle Classical Academy

How many students attend Pinnacle Classical Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,178 students attended Pinnacle Classical Academy.

Rate Pinnacle Classical Academy!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.