Hickory City Schools School District
School District · Hickory, North Carolina
Avg Rating
5.8
out of 10
Schools
9
5 elem, 2 mid, 2 high
Enrollment
3,817
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Avg Rating
5.8
out of 10
Schools
9
5 elem, 2 mid, 2 high
Enrollment
3,817
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Evaluating Hickory City Schools?
A district shares budget, policy, and attendance zones across its schools — use this page to judge Hickory City Schools as a whole, then compare how its individual schools differ.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School
Hickory · High. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Oakwood Elementary
Hickory · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
W M Jenkins Elementary
Hickory · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
How this district compares
North Carolina rank
#81 of 116
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
-0.5
below North Carolina avg
Per-pupil spending
$11,662
$1,450 vs North Carolina median
District size
3,817 students
Smaller than North Carolina median
The short answer
Hickory City Schools ranks #81 of 116 North Carolina districts by overall school rating. Hickory City Schools's schools with real test data average 5.8/10 across 9 schools. Its top-rated schools are Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School (8.7/10), Oakwood Elementary (8.3/10), and W M Jenkins Elementary (6.9/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Top-Rated Schools in Hickory City Schools
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (9 of 9). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School | 8.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Oakwood Elementary | 8.3 / 10 |
| 3 | W M Jenkins Elementary | 6.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Longview Elementary | 6.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Northview Middle | 5.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Grandview Middle | 4.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Hickory High | 4.5 / 10 |
| 8 | Viewmont Elementary | 3.6 / 10 |
| 9 | Southwest Primary | 2.6 / 10 |
See all 9 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Hickory City Schools
Hickory City Schools is a Hickory, North Carolina school district serving 9 schools.The district educates 3,817 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1. District-level spending was $11,662 per student in fiscal year 2023 (NCES F-33).
With an average rating of 5.8/10, Hickory City Schools demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School, which has a composite score of 8.7/10.
In standardized testing, Hickory City Schools students show an average math proficiency of 49.9% and ELA proficiency of 49.3%.
The district includes 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
District Map
Schools in Hickory City Schools, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Hickory City Schools with test data.
Schools in Hickory City Schools
9 schoolsDistrict Details
- State
- North Carolina
- City
- Hickory
- Total Enrollment
- 3,817
- Teachers (FTE)
- 252
- District spending per student
- $11,662NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- Child poverty rate
- 19.8%Census SAIPE · 2024
- District directory year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Hickory City Schools?
Hickory City Schools has 9 schools in total — 5 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Hickory City Schools?
The average composite rating for Hickory City Schools is 5.8/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the district spending per student in Hickory City Schools?
Hickory City Schools's district-level spending was $11,662 per student in fiscal year 2023, according to NCES F-33. This is district context, not an individual-school expense.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Hickory City Schools?
The average student-teacher ratio in Hickory City Schools is 15.1:1.
What is the top-rated school in Hickory City Schools?
Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School is the highest-rated school in Hickory City Schools with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What are the test scores in Hickory City Schools?
Across schools in Hickory City Schools with test data, the average math proficiency is 49.9% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 49.3%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Hickory City Schools compare to other districts in North Carolina?
Hickory City Schools has an average school rating of 5.8/10 across 9 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in North Carolina by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 5.8/10
- Math Proficiency
- 49.9%
- ELA Proficiency
- 49.3%
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateOther School Districts in NC
Compare Hickory City Schools with neighboring districts in the state.
- Wake County Schools (197)
- Charlotte-mecklenburg Schools (184)
- Guilford County Schools (124)
- Cumberland County Schools (86)
- Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools (81)
- Durham Public Schools (56)
- Gaston County Schools (56)
- Union County Public Schools (52)
- Johnston County Public Schools (48)
- Buncombe County Schools (45)
- Cabarrus County Schools (44)
- New Hanover County Schools (42)
- Pitt County Schools (40)
- Onslow County Schools (39)
- Alamance-burlington Schools (38)
- Iredell-statesville Schools (38)
- Public Schools of Robeson County (37)
- Davidson County Schools (35)
- Wayne County Public Schools (33)
- Randolph County School System (32)
- Rowan-salisbury Schools (32)
- Harnett County Schools (29)
- Catawba County Schools (28)
- Cleveland County Schools (28)
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.
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