Below Average
#2352 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
4.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,034
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
4.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hickory
#15 of 17
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#431 of 579
In district
#8 of 9
Hickory City Schools
About Hickory High
Hickory High serves 1,034 students in grades 9-12 in Hickory, North Carolina, with a student-teacher ratio of 18.1:1 across 57 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public high school ranks in the 44th percentile statewide, placing #1504 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools. The school shows opportunities for academic growth, with 49% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 42% in mathematics.
While these scores indicate room for improvement, the school maintains a manageable class size environment that can support individual student attention and development. Hickory High sits in a diverse community where the median household income is $65,158 and 35% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood in the 28601 ZIP code has a population of 53,172, with a median home value of $223,100 and a poverty rate of 12.1%, reflecting a working-class community with mixed economic backgrounds.
Located on 3rd Street NE, the school serves families in this small city setting within Catawba County, providing comprehensive high school education in a community-oriented environment where students can develop both academically and personally.
Score Breakdown
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Hickory High — Students at Hickory High score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 2.7/10.
How Hickory High Compares
See how Hickory High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 25.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 46% (2019) to 49.4% (2025).
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 6.6/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Challenger Early College High (rated 4.9/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 6.6 |
| Viewmont Elementary Hickory | 0.5 mi | 4.2 |
| 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 | 5.0 |
| TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hickory | 1.9 mi | 5.9 |
| W M Jenkins Elementary Hickory | 2.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Longview Elementary Hickory | 2.4 mi | 5.4 |
| ST STEPHEN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hickory | 2.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Grandview Middle Hickory | 3.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory | 3.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Saint Stephens Elementary Conover | 3.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Challenger Early College High Hickory | 4.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Saint Stephens High Hickory | 3.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Southwest Primary Hickory | 4.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Harry M Arndt Middle Hickory | 4.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Snow Creek Elementary Hickory | 4.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Webb A Murray Elementary Hickory | 4.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Bethlehem Elementary Taylorsville | 6.1 mi | 7.3 |
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 High 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 |
|---|---|
| Forest Hills High Marshville, NC | 4.4 |
| Forestview High Gastonia, NC | 4.4 |
| Greene Central High Snow Hill, NC | 4.4 |
| Kings Mountain High Kings Mountain, NC | 4.4 |
| Montgomery Central High Troy, NC | 4.4 |
| Northeastern High Elizabeth City, NC | 4.4 |
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 is ranked #2352 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Hickory High's MySchoolScout rating?
Hickory High has a composite rating of 4.4 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 High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hickory High has 35.6% math proficiency and 50.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hickory). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (828) 322-5860
- 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
- #8 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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