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West Lincoln High

Q: Is West Lincoln High a good school?

West Lincoln High ranks 306 th of 662 North Carolina high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

306^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 662 North Carolina High Schools

Better than 54% of North Carolina high schools

Summary

West Lincoln High is a midsized public high school in Lincolnton, NC, serving 731 students in grades 9–12. Part of Lincoln County Schools, the school ranks in the 54th percentile statewide with a 3-star rating. Nearly all students (99.3%) qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, placing the school among the most economically disadvantaged in the area.

The clearest strengths are graduation and attendance. West Lincoln's graduation rate has climbed five straight years to 93.8%, above both the district (92.1%) and state (88.8%) averages. Chronic absenteeism has also dropped dramatically, from 27% in 2022-23 to 17.9% in 2024-25, now matching the district rate. Academically, Biology (62.3% proficient) and Math III (77.8%) are solid, and Math I proficiency has nearly doubled since 2022-23 to 48.1%. But English II and Math I still trail district averages, and English Language Learner outcomes are the school's most challenging area.

Against nearby schools, West Lincoln compares well. Its most similar peer, Lincolnton High, shares nearly identical demographics, yet West Lincoln leads it in graduation rate (93.8% vs. 89.9%), chronic absenteeism (17.9% vs. 25.0%), and every tested subject. West Lincoln nearly matches North Lincoln High's graduation rate (93.8% vs. 94.1%) despite serving a far poorer student body, and it does so with a better student-teacher ratio (16.1 vs. 21.5). It also ranks well above high-poverty peers in Gaston County Schools, such as North Gaston High and Bessemer City High. The school's trajectory is positive, with steady improvement in graduation and attendance; closing the remaining academic gaps would move West Lincoln into the upper tier of high-poverty high schools.

731

Students ?

16.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$8,213

Per pupil spending ?

99.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

172 Shoal Rd
Lincolnton, NC 28092-0772

(704) 736-9453

District: Lincoln County Schools

Feeder schools for West Lincoln High:

Elementary:	Childers Elementary
	Love Memorial Elementary
	North Brook Elementary
	Union Elementary
Middle:	West Lincoln Middle

Racial breakdown:

White:

83.7%

Hispanic:

10.7%

Two or more races:

3.7%

See top rated North Carolina high schools

Compare West Lincoln High to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 56th percentile in 2016 → 54th in 2026

Strengths

✓94% graduate in 4 years — above the North Carolina average (89%)

✓Above the North Carolina median (54th percentile)

Worth a look

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

!Near the bottom of Lincoln County Schools's ranking

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school62%

District avg67%

North Carolina avg60%

306^th of 662

North Carolina public high schools ?

Top 46%▼ down 2 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 4High Schools in the Lincoln County Schools

75^th of 246Lincoln County Schools among North Carolina districts

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

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	53.0	306 of 662	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	58.1	242 of 641	62.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	48.8	306 of 640	52.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	52.6	276 of 626	55.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	52.2	272 of 621	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	58.4	219 of 594	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	45.2	245 of 514	52.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	57.7	160 of 469	65.9%	★★★☆☆
2017	56.1	156 of 476	67.2%	★★★☆☆
2016	40.9	225 of 507	55.6%	★★★☆☆
2015	44.5	223 of 531	58.0%	★★★☆☆
2014	45.3	183 of 451	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2013	43.8	197 of 505	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2012	61.2	138 of 502	72.5%	★★★★☆
2011	62.6	145 of 506	71.3%	★★★★☆
2010	67.0	105 of 499	79.0%	★★★★☆
2009	58.4	188 of 490	61.6%	★★★☆☆
2008	61.1	140 of 477	70.6%	★★★★☆
2007	55.7	185 of 453	59.2%	★★★☆☆
2006	57.4	168 of 431	61.0%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2022	21.5	291 of 330	11.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	45.8	135 of 334	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	60.6	90 of 364	75.3%	★★★★☆
2018	49.6	131 of 349	62.5%	★★★☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	31.4	204 of 289	29.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	50.4	314 of 629	50.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	62.2	216 of 610	64.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	60.4	221 of 602	63.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	51.4	277 of 588	52.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	54.2	262 of 594	55.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	64.8	107 of 475	77.5%	★★★★☆
2019	47.7	219 of 475	53.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	58.6	170 of 449	62.1%	★★★☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	61.3	195 of 407	52.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	73.9	107 of 412	74.0%	★★★★☆
2024	68.2	128 of 403	68.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	53.0	228 of 403	43.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	39.1	308 of 398	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	68.5	87 of 337	74.2%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	42.8	254 of 474	46.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	53.0	170 of 462	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	54.9	159 of 454	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	62.6	122 of 449	72.8%	★★★★☆
2022	51.6	171 of 436	60.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	68.1	44 of 370	88.1%	★★★★☆
2019	57.0	82 of 354	76.8%	★★★★☆
2018	81.2	28 of 340	91.8%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	53.0	242 of 620	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	60.0	188 of 606	69.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	50.4	244 of 613	60.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	57.6	199 of 597	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	55.2	194 of 544	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	56.9	84 of 432	80.6%	★★★★☆
2019	41.1	208 of 446	53.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	56.0	119 of 424	71.9%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	52.8	279 of 624	55.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	51.8	268 of 601	55.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	37.6	373 of 607	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	51.9	262 of 602	56.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	50.0	267 of 585	54.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	51.7	172 of 481	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	41.3	258 of 488	47.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	54.9	176 of 463	62.0%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	43.9	186 of 372	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	41.4	188 of 352	46.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	31.3	239 of 349	31.5%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	39.3	352 of 551	36.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	44.3	301 of 542	44.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	34.2	383 of 553	30.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	36.3	359 of 537	33.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	38.4	333 of 534	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	43.1	215 of 439	51.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	28.2	327 of 444	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	39.6	256 of 427	40.0%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)61st percentile+7 vs school

Male (2026)55th percentile~ school

Gifted and Talented (2026)52nd percentile~ school

Female (2026)50th percentile-4 vs school

Special Education (2026)50th percentile-4 vs school

Hispanic (2026)46th percentile-7 vs school

White (2026)36th percentile-18 vs school

English Language Learner (2026)29th percentile-24 vs school

Disabled (2022)12th percentile-44 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Math III78%+9 vs state

Biology62%+4 vs state

English II60%-4 vs state

Math I48%+6 vs state

1.0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, November 9, 2017

It's pretty bad when your kid is in 11th grade and she's in American history and in science and the teachers that's in them classes won't even teach them anything she takes the test the other day and the only thing she knew on there is what she learned off the History Channel off TV so y'all need to get it together your teachers suck Close Quote

Schools Near West Lincoln High

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				EOC Biology (2026)	EOC English II (2026)	EOC Math I (2026)	EOC Math III (2026)	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 (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	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	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
West Lincoln High	Public	9-12	172 Shoal Rd	Lincolnton	28092	Lincoln County	Lincoln County Schools	No	No	No	No	(704) 736-9453	731	45	16.1	99.3%	612 (83.7%)	9 (1.2%)	78 (10.7%)	5 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (3.7%)	53	306^th of 662 public high schools	53.8%		58.1	242^nd of 641 public high schools	62.2%	64	62.3	60.2	48.1	77.8	$8,213	$515	$7,699
Cherryville High	Public	9-12	313 Ridge Avenue	Cherryville	28021	Gaston County	Gaston County Schools	No	No	No	No	(704) 836-9605	484	33	14.6	99.4%	349 (72.1%)	56 (11.6%)	60 (12.4%)	3 (0.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (3.1%)	52.2	318^th of 662 public high schools	52.0%		46	330^th of 641 public high schools	48.5%	12	56.2	59.3	65.7	67.3	$10,928	$967	$9,961
Lincolnton High	Public	9-12	803 N Aspen St	Lincolnton	28092	Lincoln County	Lincoln County Schools	No	No	No	No	(704) 735-3089	797	47	16.9	99.5%	350 (43.9%)	138 (17.3%)	235 (29.5%)	8 (1.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	65 (8.2%)	39.4	407^th of 662 public high schools	38.5%		47.2	328^th of 641 public high schools	48.8%	79	40.9	57.1	40.5	75.4	$9,236	$894	$8,342
Fred T Foard High	Public	9-12	3407 Plateau Road	Newton	28658	Catawba County	Catawba County Schools	No	No	No	No	(704) 462-1496	930	43	21.8	46.9%	684 (73.5%)	30 (3.2%)	98 (10.5%)	48 (5.2%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.3%)	67 (7.2%)	53.1	303^rd of 662 public high schools	54.2%		52.6	274^th of 641 public high schools	57.3%	29	63.5	62.7	63.7	61.1	$8,769	$744	$8,025
Burns High	Public	9-12	307 E Stagecoach Trail	Lawndale	28090	Cleveland County	Cleveland County Schools	No	No	No	No	(704) 476-8335	928	58	15.9	99.5%	626 (67.5%)	156 (16.8%)	95 (10.2%)	4 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	46 (5.0%)	62.3	239^th of 662 public high schools	63.9%		38.3	390^th of 641 public high schools	39.2%	151	91.1	64.1	58.3	75.7	$9,886	$976	$8,911
Asbury Academy	Public	6-12	221 Salem Church Road	Lincolnton	28092	Lincoln County	Lincoln County Schools	No	No	No	No	(704) 736-4766	34	9	3.7	91.2%	23 (67.6%)	4 (11.8%)	1 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (17.6%)								(n/a)					$21,466	$469	$20,997
Maiden High	Public	9-12	600 West Main Street	Maiden	28650	Catawba County	Catawba County Schools	No	No	No	No	(828) 428-8197	852	41	20.7	49.1%	528 (62.0%)	54 (6.3%)	150 (17.6%)	57 (6.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	63 (7.4%)	48.3	342^nd of 662 public high schools	48.3%		47.8	320^th of 641 public high schools	50.1%	22	54.3	63.7	49.2	69.9	$9,016	$684	$8,333
Bessemer City High	Public	9-12	119 Yellow Jacket Lane	Bessemer City	28016	Gaston County	Gaston County Schools	No	No	No	No	(704) 836-9601	590	32	18.5	99.5%	259 (43.9%)	148 (25.1%)	144 (24.4%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (5.9%)	15.7	580^th of 662 public high schools	12.4%		15.9	554^th of 641 public high schools	13.6%	26	33.7	41.8	26.6	45.6	$9,616	$754	$8,862
Cleveland ECHS	Public	9-12	1800 E Marion St	Shelby	28152	Cleveland County	Cleveland County Schools	No	No	No	No	(704) 476-8232	225	11	20.2	98.7%	128 (56.9%)	35 (15.6%)	45 (20.0%)	5 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (5.3%)	91.9	55^th of 662 public high schools	91.7%		90.8	69^th of 641 public high schools	89.2%	14	94.3	96.2	91.4	94.9	$7,781	$522	$7,258
North Lincoln High	Public	9-12	2737 Lee Lawing Road	Lincolnton	28092	Lincoln County	Lincoln County Schools	No	No	No	No	(704) 736-1969	1,126	52	21.5	25.3%	921 (81.8%)	30 (2.7%)	120 (10.7%)	9 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	46 (4.1%)	77.8	151^st of 662 public high schools	77.2%		59.6	228^th of 641 public high schools	64.4%	77	73.2	79.2	76.5	87.7	$7,071	$386	$6,685

Frequently Asked Questions about West Lincoln High

What schools feed into West Lincoln High?

West Lincoln High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Childers Elementary
Elementary : Love Memorial Elementary
Elementary : North Brook Elementary
Elementary : Union Elementary
Middle : West Lincoln Middle

How many students attend West Lincoln High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 731 students attended West Lincoln High.

What district is West Lincoln High in?

Lincoln County Schools

What is the racial makeup of West Lincoln High?

Students at West Lincoln High are 84% White, 11% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races, 1% African American.

Is West Lincoln High a good school?

West Lincoln High ranks 306^th of 662 North Carolina high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Rate West Lincoln High!

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Latest North Carolina data All new data »

2017–18 through 2025–26 attendance data & graduation ratesNewSep 2, 2026

2025–26 EOC & EOG test scoresNewSep 2, 2026

2016–17 through 2024–25 graduation ratesSep 3, 2025

2024–25 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 3, 2025

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.