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Below Average

#2198 of 2,648 schools in NC

Hickory High

High School · Hickory City Schools

1234 3rd Street NE, Hickory, NC 28601

Enrollment

1,034

Student-Teacher

18.1:1

Score

4.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,198 of 2,648

In Hickory

#15 of 17

public schools

In district

#7 of 9

Hickory City Schools

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Hickory High

4.5/10

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

Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School

8.7/10

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

Viewmont Elementary

3.6/10

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

About Hickory High

Hickory High is a public high school in Hickory, NC, part of Hickory City Schools. Hickory High serves approximately 1,034 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Hickory High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,198 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Hickory High show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts below district
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.6
  • NC avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.2Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.32 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25.9% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency49.4% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-30.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.2 pts
Overall Proficiency38% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-8.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College Readiness6.6Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate87%
AP Participation15.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,662
Chronic Absenteeism29.6%

Hickory High — Students at Hickory High score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 43.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 55.5% (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
79%
ELA
63%
2010
Math
76%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
76%
ELA
91%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
53%
2013
Math
40%
ELA
53%
2014
Math
44%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
38%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
40%
ELA
46%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
46%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
46%
2020*
Math
44%
ELA
56%
2021*
Math
44%
ELA
56%
2025
Math
25.9%
ELA
49.4%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Hickory High Compares

See how Hickory High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
17th percentile in NC
Academic
4.1/10
Below Average
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3
Sports
25
12 boys' · 13 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
57 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
15.8% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics25sports offered
12 boys'·13 girls'·34 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

1234 3rd Street NE, Hickory, NC 28601

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hickory High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School (rated 8.7/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Challenger Early College High (rated 7.3/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hickory, see our Hickory schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School Hickory 0.4 mi 8.7
Viewmont Elementary Hickory 0.5 mi 3.6
UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Hickory 0.8 mi 6.3
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hickory 1.0 mi
Oakwood Elementary Hickory 1.1 mi 8.3
Northview Middle Hickory 1.3 mi 5.8
TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hickory 1.9 mi 5.9
W M Jenkins Elementary Hickory 2.2 mi 6.9
Longview Elementary Hickory 2.4 mi 6.7
ST STEPHEN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hickory 2.3 mi 4.7
Grandview Middle Hickory 3.2 mi 4.8
Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory 3.2 mi 7.8
Saint Stephens Elementary Conover 3.5 mi 5.7
Challenger Early College High Hickory 4.3 mi 7.3
Saint Stephens High Hickory 3.9 mi 4.8
Southwest Primary Hickory 4.1 mi 2.6
Harry M Arndt Middle Hickory 4.1 mi 4.9
Snow Creek Elementary Hickory 4.2 mi 7.7
Webb A Murray Elementary Hickory 4.6 mi 5.3
Bethlehem Elementary Taylorsville 6.1 mi 6.8

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Charlotte, NC 4.5
Fike High Wilson, NC 4.5
Hibriten High Lenoir, NC 4.5
Kinston High Kinston, NC 4.5
Eastern Wayne High Goldsboro, NC 4.4
North Pitt High Bethel, NC 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hickory High

What grades does Hickory High serve?

Hickory High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Hickory High?

Hickory High has an enrollment of approximately 1,034 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hickory High?

The student-teacher ratio at Hickory High is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hickory High rank in NC?

Hickory High ranks #2,198 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Hickory High's MySchoolScout rating?

Hickory High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Hickory High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hickory High has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Hickory High a charter school?

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

Is Hickory High a Title I school?

No, Hickory High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hickory High?

99.5% of students at Hickory 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
65 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,034
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
57
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Catawba County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.6%
4-Year Graduation
87.0%

District

Hickory City Schools
District Enrollment
3,817
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,662
District Rank
#7 of 9

How we rate schools

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