Latest News

Cleveland County Board of Education announces the upcoming retirement of Superintendent Dr. Stephen R. Fisher, effective July 1, 2026. Dr. Fisher is a beloved leader whose unwavering commitment to students, educators, and families has cultivated excellence throughout our school district for more than 12 years.

We’re incredibly proud to celebrate the outstanding educators below who have reached the milestone of earning their National Board Certification. This achievement doesn’t happen by accident, it’s the result of serious dedication, reflection, and a deep commitment.

It’s not every year that our community celebrates two state championship football teams - but this year, we’re doing just that.

We are incredibly proud of our Elementary Honors Chorus students, who recently showcased their talents during the January Board of Education meeting. Their performance was a powerful reminder of the excellence happening every day in our schools.

Thank You, Board Members!

January is School Board Appreciation Month, and we are grateful for the Cleveland County Schools Board of Education.

At December's Board of Education meeting, we honored the second nine weeks Stand Up for Kindness Award winners. These students have shown outstanding courage, empathy, and leadership by standing up to bullying and spreading kindness throughout their schools.

Cleveland County Schools proudly recognizes this year’s Carl DeBrew Heroes, students selected by their schools for demonstrating remarkable resilience, courage, and determination in the face of significant challenges.

Cleveland County Schools is proud to share that the United Way of Cleveland County and CCS My Home Library Project has been awarded 3rd place in the “Champion of Education” category by the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA).

Several talented CCS students recently earned spots in the North Carolina Elementary Honors Chorus, a prestigious 180-member choir made up of young singers from across the state.

Our CTE Department recently hosted the Passport to Possibilities 8th Grade Career Fair at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds, and it was a great success!

At our October Board of Education meeting, we proudly recognized the recipients of our first nine Weeks Stand Up for Kindness Awards. These outstanding students have shown exceptional courage, empathy, and leadership by standing up against bullying and promoting kindness within their schools.

We are thrilled to announce that Madison Hoopaugh from Elizabeth Elementary has been named our 2025 Beginning Teacher of the Year.

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news from North Shelby School. Please join us in celebrating our 2025 EC Educator of Excellence, Shi Whisnant!

This year’s school exhibits are truly impressive! Everyone involved went above and beyond to make them possible. The creativity and effort that went into each display really shine through, and it’s clear how much pride our students and staff take in their work. Congratulations to all for making this year’s exhibits so memorable!

We’re excited to celebrate our 2025 'Of the Year' award recipients! Outstanding Educator finalists and winners from across the district were recognized on September 9th at The Venue at Turkey Ridge.

Cleveland County Schools has earned statewide recognition as one of the best places to work in North Carolina, according to a new ranking by Forbes.

Cleveland County Schools is proud to celebrate Tina White, health science teacher at Kings Mountain High School, for being named a Finalist for North Carolina Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year.

Parents can now log in to create their account and complete the beginning-of-the-year enrollment forms!

Whether you're enrolling a brand-new student or transferring between CCS schools, now’s the time to get started!

We are honored to recognize and celebrate a group of extraordinary educators and staff members who have recently retired after many years of dedicated service to our schools. Their contributions have been invaluable—not only in the classroom, but also in the countless ways they have supported and inspired students, colleagues, and families alike.

In recognition of academic excellence, community businesses and individual donors awarded $1000 scholarships through the CCS Educational Foundation to 193 senior scholars with a 4.0 GPA (Grade Point Average) or higher and who are within the top 20% of their class.

Students across America have vast freedom of speech rights, and we are thankful for and support the freedom they enjoy. Cleveland County Schools understands the delicate balance between administrative oversight to ensure a thriving educational environment and the longstanding principle that students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate.

Cleveland County Schools' Plant Operations department has been honored with the 2025 Business Energy Excellence Award from Duke Energy. This prestigious award recognizes the district’s dedication to energy efficiency, particularly during recent HVAC upgrades and construction projects.

United Way of Cleveland County and Cleveland County Schools (PALS) Launch Home Library Project for 1st and 2nd Grade Students

We reach a tremendous milestone with our internship program this spring. Abbie Church, a senior at Shelby High School has the honor of being our 100th intern! Abbie is completing her internship at Pink Paradise, a wellness and day spa in Shelby. Our CTE Internship program began 3 years ago and continues to grow each year! Congratulations Abbie. We're proud to have you be our 100th intern!

We are proud to celebrate Mary Ingram, a dedicated educator at Grover Elementary School, for receiving the esteemed Jolene Litton ABCD Technology Award. This prestigious honor recognizes educators who demonstrate outstanding innovation and excellence in integrating technology into the classroom.

We recently had the honor of celebrating academic excellence and the educators who make a profound impact on their students' lives at the Annual Hoyt & Anne Dover Bailey Teaching Excellence Awards. The event was a heartfelt tribute to the top thirteen academic seniors, who took the opportunity to express their gratitude to the teachers and educators who have help shape their journeys. The evening was filled with inspiring stories, emotional moments, and a shared sense of appreciation that left a lasting impression on everyone present.

We are excited to highlight the exceptional work of Dr. Lily Gates, a highly dedicated and passionate educator at Cleveland Innovation Virtual Academy. Dr. Gates consistently demonstrates a deep commitment to her students, going above and beyond to ensure they succeed and thrive in their learning journey. Her innovative teaching methods and support for her students have made a significant and lasting impact on the school community. Dr. Gates truly stands out as an invaluable member of the CIVA team, inspiring both her students and colleagues alike with her dedication and enthusiasm.

Big congratulations to North Shelby School! The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), along with Character.org, has officially recognized North Shelby School as a State School of Character. Only two schools in North Carolina were chosen for this achievement! This honor highlights their dedication to building strong values and a positive school environment. We are so proud of them!

At Cleveland County Schools, we take pride in recognizing the extraordinary achievements of our educators. Recently, we honored a significant milestone reached by some of our finest teachers who have successfully completed their National Board Certification.

These outstanding individuals exemplify dedication to excellence and work tirelessly to support the diverse needs of our students. We are deeply grateful for the invaluable contributions they bring to our schools. Thank you for your remarkable commitment and service!

November is National Career Development Month, and Team CCS is celebrating the important work of its Career and Technical Education (CTE) department. This year, they have four Career Development Coordinators (CDCs) and two Work-Based Learning (WBL) Coordinators assisting students in high school and middle school.

It's our pleasure to announce and celebrate Tina White as our 2024 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year! Mrs. White, a dedicated health science educator at Kings Mountain High School, has been an integral part of our school community and is currently in her eighth year with Team CCS. We are incredibly proud to honor her outstanding contributions to education and the lasting impact she continues to make in the lives of her students. Congratulations, Mrs. White!

We're proud to name Laura Rucker as our EC Educator of Excellence, recognizing her exceptional commitment to supporting students with diverse needs. Rucker is praised for her personal connections with students and her ability to foster both academic and social growth. Her achievements have earned her the opportunity to attend the 73rd annual Exceptional Children Division statewide conference, where she will learn more about innovative strategies for special needs education.

Our Ready to Read Night was a big success! We welcomed a packed house of excited parents, all eager to learn how to support their children's reading journeys. It was heartwarming to see so many families come together. While the kids had a blast watching a fun movie, the parents took part in interactive and practical reading exercises, gaining valuable strategies that can easily be incorporated into daily home routines.

We proudly recognize CTE teachers Eric Boyd, Brian Mitchell, and Eric Surretsky for earning their FAA Part 107 drone pilot certifications, supporting drone technology programs at SHS and KMHS.

We are excited to highlight Tami Rizzo, a committed teacher at Springmore Elementary. With an impressive 27 years of service at CCS, Tami's dedication and passion have had a profound impact on the Springmore community.

We're excited to highlight Gina Dellinger, our committed Administrative Assistant in Plant Operations Division I. With ten years at CCS, Gina's dedication and enthusiasm have greatly benefited our community.