Very Good
#497 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 19% 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
7.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
162
Student-Teacher
27:1
Score
7.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#497 of 2,648
In Newton
#2 of 9
public schools
In district
#3 of 7
Newton Conover City Schools
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Excellent
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Discovery High School
High School in Newton · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Newton-conover High
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
North Newton Elementary
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Discovery High School
Discovery High School is a public high school in Newton, NC, part of Newton Conover City Schools. Discovery High School serves approximately 162 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 27:1 student-teacher ratio. Discovery High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #497 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Discovery High School show 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.9 · Very Good
- District avg 6.1
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
At 162 students, Discovery High School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Discovery High School runs 27:1 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
View breakdown
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Discovery High School — Students at Discovery High School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
24.7%
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: 9.2/10.
How Discovery High School Compares
See how Discovery High School 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
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 7.3/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Hickory), with a comparable rating. Another option is Maiden High (rated 4.8/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Maiden), a more accessible option. Additionally, Saint Stephens High (rated 4.8/10, 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 | 4.3 |
| North Newton Elementary Newton | 0.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Conover Special Education Conover | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Conover | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
| South Newton Elementary Newton | 1.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Shuford Elementary Conover | 3.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Newton-Conover Middle Conover | 3.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Startown Elementary Newton | 3.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Webb A Murray Elementary Hickory | 4.4 mi | 5.3 |
| MONTESSORI AT SANDY FORD Newton | 3.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Challenger Early College High Hickory | 3.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Lyle Creek Elementary Conover | 4.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Saint Stephens Elementary Conover | 4.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Claremont Elementary Claremont | 5.1 mi | 6.5 |
| ST STEPHEN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hickory | 6.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Maiden Middle School Maiden | 6.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Maiden High Maiden | 6.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Maiden Elementary Maiden | 7.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Saint Stephens High Hickory | 6.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Harry M Arndt Middle Hickory | 7.1 mi | 4.9 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Chatham Early College Siler City, NC | 7.9 |
| Davidson Early College Lexington, NC | 7.9 |
| Henderson County Early College Flat Rock, NC | 7.9 |
| Jackson Co Early College Sylva, NC | 7.9 |
| Macon Early College High School Franklin, NC | 7.9 |
| POPE JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC H S Greenville, NC | 7.9 |
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 ranks #497 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Discovery High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Discovery High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 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 Discovery High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Discovery High School has 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Phone
- (828) 466-5581
- 4-Year Graduation
- 90%+
Resources & Links
District
Newton Conover City Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,678
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,359
- District Rank
- #3 of 7
Other Schools in This District
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