Hickory Municipal Building · Photo: Tylerg · CC BY-SA 3.0Hickory’s public schools outscore 59% of North Carolina districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Hickory, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. On the state math tests, 58% of Hickory’s students scored proficient, above the North Carolina average (51%). 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.
Hickory’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 325 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Hickory’s, its schools beat 70%, higher than their 59% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 50% 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
Hickory City Schools spends $12,093 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
Hickory Christian Academy (private), Tabernacle Christian School (private), St. Stephen Lutheran School (private), University Christian High School (private) and Cornerstone Christian Academy (private) are 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 Hickory’s grade
B: better than 59% of North Carolina school districts, #115 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 Hickory, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Hickory · depends on your address
Viewmont Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 509 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Oakwood Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 336 students · 17:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Hickory · depends on your address
Saint Stephens Elementary
Grades K–6 · 711 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Conover
Northview Middle
Grades 6–8 · 481 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Grandview Middle
Grades 6–8 · 347 students · 15:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Hickory · depends on your address
Northview Middle
Grades 6–8 · 481 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Grandview Middle
Grades 6–8 · 347 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Hickory · depends on your address
Northview Middle
Grades 6–8 · 481 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Grandview Middle
Grades 6–8 · 347 students · 15:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Hickory · depends on your address
Hickory High
Grades 9–12 · 1,024 students · 27:1 students per teacher
Challenger Early College High
Grades 9–12 · 376 students · 34:1 students per teacher
Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School
Grades 9–12 · 201 students · 15:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Hickory · depends on your address
Hickory High
Grades 9–12 · 1,024 students · 27:1 students per teacher
Challenger Early College High
Grades 9–12 · 376 students · 34:1 students per teacher
Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School
Grades 9–12 · 201 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Hickory runs its own schools through grade 12 (Hickory City Schools). From grade PK, students attend the Catawba County Schools, shared with Catawba, Claremont, Conover, Maiden and Newton. Parts of Hickory (3% and 2% of its land) are served by Burke County Schools and Caldwell County Schools instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Hickory
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
Hickory vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Hickory’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Hickory | B | Hickory City Schools PK–12 · Catawba County Schools PK–12 |
| Long View | B− | Hickory City Schools |
| Brookford | — | Hickory City Schools |
| 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 |
| Granite Falls | C+ | Caldwell County Schools |
2 of the 5 neighbors share Hickory City Schools with Hickory for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Hickory
15 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 Hickory’s schools
Are Hickory’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of North Carolina: the public schools Hickory children attend outscore 59% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #115 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 70%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Hickory in?
Two districts: Hickory City Schools runs grades PK–12, and Catawba County Schools runs grades PK–12, shared with Catawba, Claremont, Conover, Maiden and Newton.
Where do Hickory kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Hickory High, Challenger Early College High and Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School.
What is Hickory’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 Hickory spend per student?
$12,093 in Hickory 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 Hickory?
Yes: Hickory Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 541 students), Tabernacle Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 440 students), St. Stephen Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 232 students), University Christian High School (religious, grades 9–12, 151 students) and Cornerstone Christian Academy (religious, grades 3–11, 29 students).
Parents talk
What Hickory families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Hickory → 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.