| Index | Shelby | North Carolina | National |
| Average Test Scores | 41% | 43% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 16:1 | 15:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 15 | 1,895 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 1 | 510 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | 1 | 183 | 7,963 |
| Index | Shelby | North Carolina | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 82.2% | 83.4% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 79.9% | 81.9% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 50.0% | 59.9% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 29.0% | 38.1% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 19.9% | 29.0% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 8.5% | 10.2% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 1.9% | 2.9% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 0.5% | 1.3% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 15 public schools, 1 private schools and 1 post-secondary schools in Shelby. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Shelby, NC schools is 41%. The average student to teacher ratio is 16:1. In Shelby, NC, an average of 82.2% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 79.9% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Mooresboro, NC | 220 | 73% | 51.0% |
| Ellenboro, NC | 794 | 58% | 19.8% |
| Grover, NC | 588 | 55% | 13.5% |
| Cliffside, NC | 707 | 52% | 8.3% |
| Kings Mountain, NC | 10,885 | 48% | 0.4% |
| Shelby, NC | 20,046 | 41% | 15.6% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Punta Gorda, FL | 20,044 | 65% | 35.1% |
| Amherst Center, MA | 20,037 | 58% | 19.8% |
| West Chester, PA | 20,033 | 74% | 54.7% |
| Glassboro, NJ | 20,069 | 36% | 25.0% |
| Port Angeles, WA | 20,071 | 54% | 12.8% |
| Shelby, NC | 20,046 | 41% | 15.6% |
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