Very Good
#497 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 19% in state
Discovery High School
High School · Newton Conover City Schools · Newton, NC
A Newton Conover City Schools high school where students score 11 points above what's typical for similar communities.
301 West 18th St, Newton, NC 28658
- Math 79% vs NC 56% (2025)
- Reading 81% vs NC 54% (2025)
- 90%+ 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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Students at Discovery High School score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
2025 NC proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. NC average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 11 points since 2019, reaching 80% in 2025.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 69% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 83% (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
24.7%
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 Discovery High School 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 36Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High2,322/100K
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Newton), 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
$67,805
Median home value
$192,500
Median rent
$933/mo
College educated
19.3%
Homeownership
75.2%
Poverty rate
10.3%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 28658; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
3 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton-conover HighEnrollment path unverified | 4.3 | 9–12 | 0.2 mi | 749 | Compare → |
| Conover Special EducationEnrollment path unverified | 5.0 | PK–12 | 1.5 mi | 106 | Compare → |
| Challenger Early College HighEnrollment path unverified | 7.3 | 9–12 | 3.9 mi | 362 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Newton Conover City Schools
- Schools in district
- 7
- Rank in district
- #3 of 7
- District spending per student
- $12,359NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 19.4%Census SAIPE · 2024
Discovery High School is listed in Newton Conover City Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Discovery High School
Discovery High School is a public high school in Newton, NC, part of Newton Conover City Schools, serving approximately 162 students in grades 9th-12th with a 27:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #497 of 2,648 schools in NC. State assessment records show 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 162
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 27:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 6
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Catawba County
- Phone
- (828) 466-5581
- 4-Year Graduation
- 90%+
- Area population (ZIP 28658)
- 25,681
- Area average commute
- 24.2 min
- Area median age
- 41.6
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 28658; 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
Related reading
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