Below Average
#2170 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
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
956
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newton
#8 of 9
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#364 of 579
In district
#20 of 27
Catawba County Schools
Academic performance
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Fred T Foard High
Fred T Foard High serves 956 students in grades 9-12 in Newton, North Carolina, with a student-teacher ratio of 18:1 and 53 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks in the 52nd percentile statewide, placing #1282 out of 2,661 North Carolina high schools, indicating solid performance among the state's secondary schools. Academically, Fred T Foard shows particular strength in English Language Arts, where 67% of students perform at proficient or above levels across grade levels.
In mathematics, 52% of students achieve proficiency or higher, providing opportunities for continued growth in STEM learning. The school maintains a MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10, with an academic score of 6.7 out of 10. The school draws from a stable community in the 28658 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $62,265 and the median home value is $168,400.
About 19% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate stands at 10.8% among the area's 25,561 residents. Located on Plateau Road, Fred T Foard High sits in a rural setting near the town of Newton in Catawba County, offering students a close-knit educational environment while maintaining access to broader community resources.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Fred T Foard High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Fred T Foard High — Students at Fred T Foard High score 59% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 5.1/10.
How Fred T Foard High Compares
See how Fred T Foard High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 51% (2019) to 50.8% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 66.8% (2025).
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 6.6/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Hickory), which scores notably higher. Another option is UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Hickory), which scores notably higher. Additionally, West Lincoln High (rated 5.3/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Lincolnton), which scores slightly 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 | 6.3 |
| Blackburn Elementary Newton | 2.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Mountain View Elementary Hickory | 3.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Banoak Elementary Vale | 3.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Southwest Primary Hickory | 6.4 mi | 7.4 |
| MONTESSORI AT SANDY FORD Newton | 5.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Grandview Middle Hickory | 6.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Union Elementary Vale | 6.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Startown Elementary Newton | 5.9 mi | 5.9 |
| REFLECTIONS OF CHRIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hildebran | 7.0 mi | — |
| Longview Elementary Hickory | 7.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Hildebran Elementary Hildebran | 7.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Challenger Early College High Hickory | 7.3 mi | 4.9 |
| 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 | 6.6 |
| West Lincoln High Lincolnton | 9.2 mi | 5.3 |
| West Lincoln Middle Lincolnton | 9.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Hickory High Hickory | 9.4 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 Fred T Foard High 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 |
|---|---|
| Southern Guilford High Greensboro, NC | 4.9 |
| Terry Sanford High Fayetteville, NC | 4.9 |
| West Stanly High Oakboro, NC | 4.9 |
| East Henderson High East Flat Rock, NC | 5.0 |
| East Rutherford High School Forest City, NC | 5.0 |
| Louisburg Magnet High Louisburg, NC | 5.0 |
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 is ranked #2170 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Fred T Foard High's MySchoolScout rating?
Fred T Foard High has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Fred T Foard High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fred T Foard High has 59.6% math proficiency and 59.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newton). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (704) 462-1496
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Catawba County Schools- District Enrollment
- 15,880
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,487
- District Rank
- #20 of 27
Other Schools in This District
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.
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