Average
#1239 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 47% in state
Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School
High School · Hickory City Schools
409 8th Avenue NE, Hickory, NC 28601
Enrollment
232
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
6.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
232
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
6.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hickory
#8 of 17
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#113 of 579
In district
#4 of 9
Hickory City Schools
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School
Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School stands as one of North Carolina's premier educational institutions, ranking 11th out of 2,661 schools statewide with an outstanding MySchoolScout rating of 9.3 out of 10. This specialized magnet school serves 232 students in grades 9-12, maintaining an intimate learning environment with a favorable 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio and 20 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, with 78% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading.
Math performance shows 51% of students meeting proficiency standards, indicating solid foundational skills across core subjects. The school's academic score of 9.1 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence and student achievement. Located at 409 8th Avenue NE in Hickory, the school serves a community where the median household income is $65,158 and 35% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
The neighborhood maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 12.1%, with median home values around $223,100, suggesting a stable, middle-class community that values education. Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School operates in the heart of this small North Carolina city, providing students with both rigorous academics and specialized career and arts programming in a supportive, close-knit educational environment.
Score Breakdown
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Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School — Students at Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.7%
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: 8.9/10.
How Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School Compares
See how Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 22.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 44.5% (2019) to 78.4% (2025).
Location
409 8th Avenue NE, Hickory, NC 28601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Challenger Early College High (rated 4.9/10, 3.9 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Hickory High (rated 4.4/10, 0.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hickory, see our Hickory schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Hickory | 0.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Hickory High Hickory | 0.4 mi | 4.4 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hickory | 0.5 mi | — |
| Viewmont Elementary Hickory | 0.8 mi | 4.2 |
| Oakwood Elementary Hickory | 0.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Northview Middle Hickory | 1.7 mi | 5.0 |
| TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hickory | 2.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Longview Elementary Hickory | 2.1 mi | 5.4 |
| W M Jenkins Elementary Hickory | 2.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Grandview Middle Hickory | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
| ST STEPHEN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hickory | 2.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory | 3.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Saint Stephens Elementary Conover | 3.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Challenger Early College High Hickory | 3.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Southwest Primary Hickory | 3.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Saint Stephens High Hickory | 4.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Harry M Arndt Middle Hickory | 4.2 mi | 4.4 |
| Snow Creek Elementary Hickory | 4.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Webb A Murray Elementary Hickory | 4.5 mi | 7.3 |
| REFLECTIONS OF CHRIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hildebran | 5.2 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28601 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,839
Median Home Value
$236,100
Median Rent
$951/mo
Population
52,839
College Educated
34.7%
Homeownership
68.1%
Avg Commute
21.6 min
Poverty Rate
12.7%
Median Age
40.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School has a median household income of $67,839. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $236,100, with a median rent of $951/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Granville Early College High Creedmoor, NC | 6.6 |
| Char Eng Early College-UNCC Charlotte, NC | 6.5 |
| Cleveland ECHS Shelby, NC | 6.5 |
| Duplin Early College High Kenansville, NC | 6.5 |
| Cumberland Polytechnic Fayetteville, NC | 6.7 |
| FLETCHER ACADEMY Fletcher, NC | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School
What grades does Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School serve?
Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School?
Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School has an enrollment of approximately 232 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School rank in NC?
Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School is ranked #1239 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School has 27.2% math proficiency and 65.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School a charter school?
No, Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School a Title I school?
No, Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School?
98.7% of students at Hickory Career Arts Magnet 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
- City Safety
- High (3,247/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hickory). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 232
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Catawba County
- Phone
- (828) 328-6738
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hickory City Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,817
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,662
- District Rank
- #4 of 9
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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