Mary's Grove · Photo: Bigdaverhuberg · CC BY-SA 3.0Lenoir’s public schools score below 56% of North Carolina districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Lenoir, 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.
Lenoir’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 48% of tested students were proficient in reading and 47% in math, against 50% and 51% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,425 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is William Lenoir Middle, then Hibriten High. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Caldwell Online Academy, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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 Lenoir’s grade
C+: better than 44% of North Carolina school districts, #190 of 290 North Carolina towns. Both inputs trail the North Carolina average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Lenoir, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Lenoir
William Lenoir Middle
Grades 6–8 · 512 students · 17:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Lenoir
William Lenoir Middle
Grades 6–8 · 512 students · 17:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Lenoir
William Lenoir Middle
Grades 6–8 · 512 students · 17:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Lenoir
Hibriten High
Grades 9–12 · 818 students · 21:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Lenoir
Hibriten High
Grades 9–12 · 818 students · 21:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Lenoir
Hibriten High
Grades 9–12 · 818 students · 21:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Lenoir
Hibriten High
Grades 9–12 · 818 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Lenoir’s public schools are run by Caldwell County Schools, which also serves Cajah's Mountain, Cedar Rock, Gamewell and Granite Falls and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Lenoir vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Lenoir’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lenoir | C+ | Caldwell County Schools |
| Hudson | C+ | Caldwell County Schools |
| Cajah's Mountain | C+ | Caldwell County Schools |
| Gamewell | C+ | Caldwell County Schools |
| Sawmills | C+ | Caldwell County Schools |
All 4 neighbors share Caldwell County Schools with Lenoir, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Lenoir
8 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 Lenoir’s schools
Are Lenoir’s schools good?
On North Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Lenoir children attend score below 56% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #190 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 48%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lenoir in?
Caldwell County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 10,667 students in 25 schools (2024–25).
Where do Lenoir kids go to high school?
Hibriten High, with 818 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Lenoir’s graduation rate?
84% of the class of 2023 in Caldwell County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Lenoir spend per student?
$12,425 in Caldwell County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Lenoir families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lenoir → 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.