6.1 avg / 10

Best Schools in Hickory, North Carolina

21 schools · 11 Elementary · 3 Middle · 5 High · 2 Other

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 17

Private: 4

Districts: 3

Avg Rating: 6.1/10

Estimated Scores: 20%

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 6.1/10
Median household income: $61,935
Median home value: $208,200
Bachelor's degree or higher: 26%
Avg commute: 21 min
Owner-occupied homes: 67%

How Hickory compares

North Carolina rank

#156 of 253

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

-0.3

below North Carolina avg (6.4)

Median household income

$62k

91% of North Carolina median

Schools in this city

20

About Schools in Hickory, North Carolina

Hickory, North Carolina is home to 21 schools, including 17 public schools and 4 private schools. The city's schools span 11 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 5 high schools.

With an average rating of 6.1 out of 10, schools in Hickory show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Hickory is Ray Childers Elementary with a composite score of 8.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Hickory is served by 3 school districts: Burke County Schools, Catawba County Schools, Hickory City Schools. These districts collectively serve 31,387 students.

Hickory's community shows 26% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $61,935. The poverty rate in the area is 14.5%.

Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.

Filter by Level: All Levels (21) Elementary (11) Middle (3) High (5)

Filter by Type: All Types (21) Public (17) Private (4)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (21) Academics (21) Growth (16) Diversity (16) Resources (17)

Filter by ZIP: 28601 (16) 28602 (5)

Elementary Schools

11 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Ray Childers Elementary 447 students · Pre-K–5th	447	Pre-K–5th	8.4
2	Oakwood Elementary 326 students · Pre-K–5th	326	Pre-K–5th	8.3
3	Clyde Campbell Elementary 501 students · Pre-K–6th	501	Pre-K–6th	8.2
4	W M Jenkins Elementary 261 students · Kindergarten–5th	261	Kindergarten–5th	7.7
5	Southwest Primary 311 students · Pre-K–2nd	311	Pre-K–2nd	7.4
6	Webb A Murray Elementary 384 students · Pre-K–6th	384	Pre-K–6th	7.3
7	Snow Creek Elementary 569 students · Pre-K–6th	569	Pre-K–6th	6.9
8	Mountain View Elementary 713 students · Kindergarten–6th	713	Kindergarten–6th	6.4
9	Longview Elementary 313 students · 3rd–5th	313	3rd–5th	5.4
10	Viewmont Elementary 489 students · Pre-K–5th	489	Pre-K–5th	4.2
Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.
1	ST STEPHEN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Private 200 students · Pre-K–8th	200	Pre-K–8th	Not Rated

Middle Schools

3 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Grandview Middle 393 students · 6th–8th	393	6th–8th	5.3
2	Northview Middle 458 students · 6th–8th	458	6th–8th	5.0
3	Harry M Arndt Middle 628 students · 7th–8th	628	7th–8th	4.4

High Schools

5 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School 232 students · 9th–12th	232	9th–12th	6.6
2	Challenger Early College High 362 students · 9th–12th	362	9th–12th	4.9
3	Hickory High 1,034 students · 9th–12th	1,034	9th–12th	4.4
4	Saint Stephens High 1,298 students · 9th–12th	1,298	9th–12th	4.3
Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.
1	UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Private 165 students · 9th–12th	165	9th–12th	Not Rated

Other Schools

2 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Private 307 students · Kindergarten–12th	307	Kindergarten–12th	Not Rated
2	CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Private 22 students · 2nd–12th	22	2nd–12th	Not Rated

Schools in Hickory

Hickory, North Carolina · 21 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes

Median Income

$61,935

Median Home Value

$208,200

Median Rent

$891/mo

Population

82,112

College Educated

26%

Homeownership

67%

Avg Commute

21 min

Poverty Rate

14.5%

Community Profile

Hickory has a median household income of $61,935. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $208,200, with a median rent of $891/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.5%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Quick Facts

State: North Carolina
Total Schools: 21
Elementary: 11
Middle: 3
High: 5
Districts: 3
Avg Rating: 6.1/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Hickory schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Hickory 📊 Niche Hickory Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School Districts (3)

Burke County Schools

27 schools · 11,690 students

Catawba County Schools

28 schools · 15,880 students

Hickory City Schools

9 schools · 3,817 students

Nearby Cities

Hildebran (2 schools)

Granite Falls (6 schools)

9 mi

Connelly Springs (5 schools)

10 mi

Taylorsville (9 schools)

12 mi

Hudson (6 schools)

11 mi

Claremont (5 schools)

Lincolnton (14 schools)

18 mi

Lenoir (13 schools)

17 mi

Hiddenite (2 schools)

17 mi

Other Major Cities in North Carolina

Top metros statewide by school count.

Charlotte 225 schools Raleigh 138 schools Greensboro 95 schools Durham 94 schools Fayetteville 85 schools

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Hickory, North Carolina

How many schools are in Hickory, North Carolina?

Hickory has 21 schools, including 17 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Hickory, North Carolina?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Hickory is 6.1 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Hickory, North Carolina?

The top-ranked school in Hickory on MySchoolScout is Ray Childers Elementary with a composite score of 8.4/10.

What is the best elementary school in Hickory, North Carolina?

The top-ranked elementary school in Hickory on MySchoolScout is Ray Childers Elementary with a composite score of 8.4/10.

What is the best middle school in Hickory, North Carolina?

The top-ranked middle school in Hickory on MySchoolScout is Grandview Middle with a composite score of 5.3/10.

What is the best high school in Hickory, North Carolina?

The top-ranked high school in Hickory on MySchoolScout is Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School with a composite score of 6.6/10.

How many school districts serve Hickory, North Carolina?

Hickory is served by 3 school districts: Burke County Schools, Catawba County Schools, Hickory City Schools.

What is the education level in Hickory, North Carolina?

According to Census data, 26% of adults in Hickory have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Hickory, North Carolina?

The median household income in Hickory is approximately $61,935 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

Are there private schools in Hickory, North Carolina?

Yes, Hickory has 4 private schools alongside 17 public schools. The top-rated private school is University Christian High School with a score of 6.3/10.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Hickory, North Carolina?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Hickory is 15.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Hickory, North Carolina?

MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.