Very Good
#794 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 30% in state
Challenger Early College High
High School · Catawba County Schools
2550 Hwy 70 SE, Hickory, NC 28602
Enrollment
362
Student-Teacher
24.1:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
362
Student-Teacher
24.1:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#794 of 2,648
In Hickory
#6 of 17
public schools
In district
#7 of 27
Catawba County Schools
Academic performance
9.9 / 10
Excellent
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Challenger Early College High
High School in Hickory · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Saint Stephens Elementary
2.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Montessori at Sandy Ford
2.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Challenger Early College High
Challenger Early College High is a public high school in Hickory, NC, part of Catawba County Schools. Challenger Early College High serves approximately 362 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 24.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Challenger Early College High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #794 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Challenger Early College High show 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 90% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.3 · Very Good
- District avg 5.9
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Challenger Early College High runs 24.1:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Challenger Early College High — Students at Challenger Early College High score 100% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.0/10.
How Challenger Early College High Compares
See how Challenger Early College High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
2550 Hwy 70 SE, Hickory, NC 28602
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Challenger Early College High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School (rated 8.7/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Discovery High School (rated 7.9/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Newton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 3.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hickory, see our Hickory schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Stephens Elementary Conover | 2.5 mi | 5.7 |
| MONTESSORI AT SANDY FORD Newton | 2.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Grandview Middle Hickory | 2.4 mi | 4.8 |
| ST STEPHEN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hickory | 3.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Webb A Murray Elementary Hickory | 3.5 mi | 5.3 |
| UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Hickory | 3.5 mi | 6.3 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hickory | 3.6 mi | — |
| North Newton Elementary Newton | 3.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School Hickory | 3.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Startown Elementary Newton | 4.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Conover Special Education Conover | 3.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Hickory High Hickory | 4.3 mi | 4.5 |
| Oakwood Elementary Hickory | 4.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Newton-Conover High Newton | 3.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Discovery High School Newton | 3.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Newton-Conover Middle Conover | 4.2 mi | 6.4 |
| TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hickory | 4.9 mi | 5.9 |
| CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Conover | 4.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Viewmont Elementary Hickory | 4.7 mi | 3.6 |
| South Newton Elementary Newton | 4.5 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28602 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,031
Median Home Value
$180,300
Median Rent
$830/mo
Population
29,273
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
66.2%
Avg Commute
20.9 min
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Median Age
40.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Isaac M Bear Early College High School Wilmington, NC | 7.3 |
| Piedmont Classical High School Browns Summit, NC | 7.3 |
| The School for Creative Studies Durham, NC | 7.3 |
| ABSS Early College at ACC Graham, NC | 7.2 |
| Chatham Central High Bear Creek, NC | 7.2 |
| Cumberland Academy 6-12 Virtual School Fayetteville, NC | 7.2 |
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 362
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 47.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Catawba County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 0.6%
- Phone
- (828) 485-2980
- 4-Year Graduation
- 95%+
Resources & Links
District
Catawba County Schools- District Enrollment
- 15,880
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,487
- District Rank
- #7 of 27
Other Schools in This District
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