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Very Good

#859 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 32% in state

Discovery High School

High School · Newton Conover City Schools

301 West 18th St, Newton, NC 28658

Enrollment

162

Student-Teacher

27:1

Score

7.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Newton

#5 of 9

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#51 of 579

In district

#3 of 7

Newton Conover City Schools

Academic performance

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Discovery High School

Discovery High School serves 162 students in grades 9-12 in Newton, North Carolina, earning recognition as one of the state's stronger academic performers. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranking #550 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools, the school places in the 79th percentile statewide. Students demonstrate solid academic achievement, with 81% scoring proficient or above in both English Language Arts and mathematics across all grade levels.

The school operates with 6 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 27:1. This smaller high school environment allows for more personalized attention despite the higher ratio, and the strong academic outcomes suggest effective teaching and learning taking place. Discovery High School draws from a stable middle-class community where the median household income is $62,265 and median home values average $168,400.

The surrounding ZIP code of 28658 is home to 25,561 residents, with a poverty rate of 10.8% and 19% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The school sits in Newton's mid-size suburban setting in Catawba County, providing students with a blend of small-town community feel and access to broader educational and cultural opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 162 students, Discovery High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

The student-teacher ratio at Discovery High School is 27:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.58 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.4Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency82.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency80.8%
Math vs. State Avg+26.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+27.2 pts
Overall Proficiency82%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected+15.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
College Readiness10.0Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation90.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.7Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio27:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,901

Discovery High School — Students at Discovery High School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

24.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 80.8%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 83.4%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
64.5%
ELA
74.5%
2021*
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2025
Math
82.8%
ELA
80.8%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Discovery High School Compares

See how Discovery High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
68th percentile in NC
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
1.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
25%
Teaching Staff
27:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

301 West 18th St, Newton, NC 28658

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Discovery High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Challenger Early College High (rated 4.9/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Hickory), a more accessible option. Another option is Maiden High (rated 4.5/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Maiden), a more accessible option. Additionally, Saint Stephens High (rated 4.3/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Hickory), a more accessible option. For more schools in Newton, see our Newton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Newton-Conover High Newton 0.2 mi 3.9
North Newton Elementary Newton 0.7 mi 9.2
Conover Special Education Conover 1.5 mi 5.6
CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Conover 1.7 mi 5.2
South Newton Elementary Newton 1.7 mi 7.9
Shuford Elementary Conover 3.1 mi 5.8
Newton-Conover Middle Conover 3.6 mi 7.2
Startown Elementary Newton 3.9 mi 5.9
Webb A Murray Elementary Hickory 4.4 mi 7.3
MONTESSORI AT SANDY FORD Newton 3.9 mi 4.2
Challenger Early College High Hickory 3.9 mi 4.9
Lyle Creek Elementary Conover 4.9 mi 7.6
Saint Stephens Elementary Conover 4.7 mi 4.9
Claremont Elementary Claremont 5.1 mi 7.9
ST STEPHEN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hickory 6.0 mi 4.7
Maiden Middle School Maiden 6.8 mi 6.3
Maiden High Maiden 6.9 mi 4.5
Maiden Elementary Maiden 7.0 mi 8.1
Saint Stephens High Hickory 6.9 mi 4.3
Harry M Arndt Middle Hickory 7.1 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28658 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,805

Median Home Value

$192,500

Median Rent

$933/mo

Population

25,681

College Educated

19.3%

Homeownership

75.2%

Avg Commute

24.2 min

Poverty Rate

10.3%

Median Age

41.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Discovery High School has a median household income of $67,805. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $192,500, with a median rent of $933/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Chatham Early College Siler City, NC 7.2
Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences Dallas, NC 7.2
Stanly Early College High Albemarle, NC 7.2
Anson Co. Early College High Polkton, NC 7.4
Harnett County Early College Dunn, NC 7.4
Bladen Early College Dublin, NC 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Discovery High School

What grades does Discovery High School serve?

Discovery High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Discovery High School?

Discovery High School has an enrollment of approximately 162 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Discovery High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Discovery High School is 27:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Discovery High School rank in NC?

Discovery High School is ranked #859 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Discovery High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Discovery High School has a composite rating of 7.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Discovery High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Discovery High School has 80.8% math proficiency and 83.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Discovery High School a charter school?

No, Discovery High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Discovery High School a Title I school?

No, Discovery High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Discovery High School?

24.7% of students at Discovery High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,322/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newton). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
162
Student-Teacher Ratio
27:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
24.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Catawba County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Newton Conover City Schools
District Enrollment
2,678
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,359
District Rank
#3 of 7

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

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