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Average

#1649 of 2,648 schools in NC

Fred T Foard High

High School · Catawba County Schools

3407 Plateau Road, Newton, NC 28658

Enrollment

956

Student-Teacher

18:1

Score

5.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,649 of 2,648

In Newton

#8 of 9

public schools

In district

#18 of 27

Catawba County Schools

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Fred T Foard High

5.7/10

High School in Newton · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Jacobs Fork Middle

6.6/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Blackburn Elementary

6.4/10

2.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Fred T Foard High

Fred T Foard High is a public high school in Newton, NC, part of Catawba County Schools. Fred T Foard High serves approximately 956 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18:1 student-teacher ratio. Fred T Foard High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,649 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Fred T Foard High show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Fred T Foard High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.3Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.54 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.9Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency66.8% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.2 pts
Overall Proficiency60% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)63% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-2.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
College Readiness4.9Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate86%
AP Participation5.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,487
Chronic Absenteeism21.8%

Fred T Foard High — Students at Fred T Foard High score 60% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 57.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 62.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
88%
ELA
76%
2010
Math
89%
ELA
69%
2011
Math
83%
ELA
91%
2012
Math
43%
ELA
66%
2013
Math
48%
ELA
60%
2014
Math
56%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
51%
2016
Math
44%
ELA
54%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
51%
2018
Math
51%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
51%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
77%
ELA
61%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
61%
2025
Math
54%
ELA
66.8%

* 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: 6.3/10.

How Fred T Foard High Compares

See how Fred T Foard High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
38th percentile in NC
Academic
6.9/10
Average
Growth
6.3/10
Average
Environment
4.5/10
Below Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3
Sports
18
10 boys' · 8 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.8%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
5.1% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics18sports offered
10 boys'·8 girls'·24 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

3407 Plateau Road, Newton, NC 28658

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fred T Foard High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School (rated 8.7/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Hickory), which scores notably higher. Another option is Challenger Early College High (rated 7.3/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Hickory), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Lincoln High (rated 7.3/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Lincolnton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newton, see our Newton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Jacobs Fork Middle Newton 0.2 mi 6.6
Blackburn Elementary Newton 2.2 mi 6.4
Mountain View Elementary Hickory 3.2 mi 8.3
Banoak Elementary Vale 3.5 mi 6.5
Southwest Primary Hickory 6.4 mi 2.6
MONTESSORI AT SANDY FORD Newton 5.5 mi 4.2
Grandview Middle Hickory 6.4 mi 4.8
Union Elementary Vale 6.9 mi 8.2
Startown Elementary Newton 5.9 mi 7.2
REFLECTIONS OF CHRIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hildebran 7.0 mi
Longview Elementary Hickory 7.3 mi 6.7
Hildebran Elementary Hildebran 7.4 mi 5.2
Challenger Early College High Hickory 7.3 mi 7.3
Oakwood Elementary Hickory 8.4 mi 8.3
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hickory 8.4 mi
UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Hickory 8.7 mi 6.3
Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School Hickory 9.0 mi 8.7
West Lincoln High Lincolnton 9.2 mi 7.3
West Lincoln Middle Lincolnton 9.4 mi 6.4
Hickory High Hickory 9.4 mi 4.5

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
Ascend Leadership Academy: Lee County Sanford, NC 5.7
South Granville High Creedmoor, NC 5.7
South Lenoir High Deep Run, NC 5.7
Ashe County High West Jefferson, NC 5.8
Asheboro High Asheboro, NC 5.8
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Virtual School Charlotte, NC 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fred T Foard High

What grades does Fred T Foard High serve?

Fred T Foard High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Fred T Foard High?

Fred T Foard High has an enrollment of approximately 956 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fred T Foard High?

The student-teacher ratio at Fred T Foard High is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fred T Foard High rank in NC?

Fred T Foard High ranks #1,649 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Fred T Foard High's MySchoolScout rating?

Fred T Foard High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Fred T Foard High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Fred T Foard High has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Fred T Foard High a charter school?

No, Fred T Foard High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Fred T Foard High a Title I school?

No, Fred T Foard High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fred T Foard High?

44.5% of students at Fred T Foard 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
17 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
956
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
Teachers (FTE)
53
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Catawba County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.8%
4-Year Graduation
86.0%

District

Catawba County Schools
District Enrollment
15,880
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,487
District Rank
#18 of 27

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