Very Good
#794 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 30% in state
Challenger Early College High
High School · Catawba County Schools · Hickory, NC
A Catawba County Schools high school where students score 37 points above what's typical for similar communities.
2550 Hwy 70 SE, Hickory, NC 28602
- Math 99% vs NC 56% (2025)
- Reading 100% vs NC 54% (2025)
- 95%+ 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Students at Challenger Early College High score 100% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
2025 NC proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. NC average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 18 points since 2019, reaching 100% in 2025.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 82% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 90% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
47.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
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 rateThe neighborhood
Where Challenger Early College High sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 40Car-Dependent
- Bike 25Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High3,247/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Hickory), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$56,031
Median home value
$180,300
Median rent
$830/mo
College educated
18%
Homeownership
66.2%
Poverty rate
16.4%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 28602; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Christian High SchoolPrivate · tuition | 6.3private | 9–12 | 3.5 mi | 165 | Compare → |
| Cornerstone Christian AcademyPrivate · tuition | Not rated | 2–12 | 3.6 mi | 22 | Compare → |
| Conover Special EducationEnrollment path unverified | 5.0 | PK–12 | 3.7 mi | 106 | Compare → |
| Discovery High SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 7.9 | 9–12 | 3.9 mi | 162 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Catawba County Schools
- Schools in district
- 28
- Rank in district
- #7 of 27
- District spending per student
- $11,487NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 15.6%Census SAIPE · 2024
Challenger Early College High is listed in Catawba County Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Challenger Early College High
Challenger Early College High is a public high school in Hickory, NC, part of Catawba County Schools, serving approximately 362 students in grades 9th-12th with a 24.1:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #794 of 2,648 schools in NC. State assessment records show 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 90% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Challenger Early College High
What grades does Challenger Early College High serve?
Challenger Early College High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Challenger Early College High?
Challenger Early College High has an enrollment of approximately 362 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Challenger Early College High?
The student-teacher ratio at Challenger Early College High is 24.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Challenger Early College High rank in NC?
Challenger Early College High ranks #794 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Challenger Early College High's MySchoolScout rating?
Challenger Early College High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Challenger Early College High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Challenger Early College High has 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 90% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Challenger Early College High a charter school?
No, Challenger Early College High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Challenger Early College High a Title I school?
No, Challenger Early College High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Challenger Early College High?
47.2% of students at Challenger Early College High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 362
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Catawba County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 0.6%
- Phone
- (828) 485-2980
- 4-Year Graduation
- 95%+
- Area population (ZIP 28602)
- 29,273
- Area average commute
- 20.9 min
- Area median age
- 40.9
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 28602; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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