Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY-SA 4.0Conover’s public schools outscore 61% of North Carolina districts
On the state math tests, 58% of Conover’s students scored proficient, above the North Carolina average (51%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Conover, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.
From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Conover’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 326 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Conover’s, its schools beat 71%, higher than their 61% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 51% and math 58% across both districts in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 87% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Newton-Conover City Schools spends $13,217 per student and Catawba County Schools $11,777, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Concordia Christian Day School (private) is in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Conover’s grade
B: better than 61% of North Carolina school districts, #109 of 290 North Carolina towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the North Carolina average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Conover, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Conover · depends on your address
Lyle Creek Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 458 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Shuford Elementary
Grades K–5 · 402 students · 15:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Conover · depends on your address
Lyle Creek Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 458 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Shuford Elementary
Grades K–5 · 402 students · 15:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Conover · depends on your address
Lyle Creek Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 458 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Shuford Elementary
Grades K–5 · 402 students · 15:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Conover · depends on your address
Lyle Creek Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 458 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Shuford Elementary
Grades K–5 · 402 students · 15:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Conover · depends on your address
Lyle Creek Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 458 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Shuford Elementary
Grades K–5 · 402 students · 15:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Conover · depends on your address
Lyle Creek Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 458 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Shuford Elementary
Grades K–5 · 402 students · 15:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Conover · depends on your address
Newton-Conover Middle
Grades 6–8 · 559 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Lyle Creek Elementary
Grades PK–6 · 458 students · 15:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Conover
Newton-Conover Middle
Grades 6–8 · 559 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Conover
Newton-Conover Middle
Grades 6–8 · 559 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Conover runs its own schools through grade 12 (Newton-Conover City Schools). From grade PK, students attend the Catawba County Schools, shared with Catawba, Claremont, Hickory, Maiden and Newton. Its high school is in Hickory. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Conover
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Conover vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Conover’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Conover | B | Newton-Conover City Schools PK–12 · Catawba County Schools PK–12 |
| Newton | B | Catawba County Schools PK–12 · Newton-Conover City Schools PK–12 |
| Hickory | B | Hickory City Schools PK–12 · Catawba County Schools PK–12 |
All 2 neighbors share Catawba County Schools with Conover for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Conover
13 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Conover’s schools
Are Conover’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of North Carolina: the public schools Conover children attend outscore 61% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #109 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 71%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Conover in?
Two districts: Newton-Conover City Schools runs grades PK–12, and Catawba County Schools runs grades PK–12, shared with Catawba, Claremont, Hickory, Maiden and Newton.
Where do Conover kids go to high school?
One of 8 high schools, depending on your address: Saint Stephens High, Bandys High, Fred T Foard High, Maiden High, Bunker Hill High, Newton-Conover High, Challenger Early College High and Discovery High School.
What is Conover’s graduation rate?
87% of the class of 2023 in Catawba County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Conover spend per student?
$13,217 in Newton-Conover City Schools and $11,777 in Catawba County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Conover?
Yes: Concordia Christian Day School (religious, grades PK–8, 246 students).
Parents talk
What Conover families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Conover → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.