Excellent
#292 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 11% in state
Oakwood Elementary
Elementary School · Hickory City Schools
366 4th Street NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Enrollment
326
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
326
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hickory
#2 of 17
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#264 of 1,474
In district
#1 of 9
Hickory City Schools
Equity
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Oakwood Elementary
Oakwood Elementary is a public elementary school in Hickory, NC, part of the Hickory City Schools. The school serves approximately 326 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 89th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 65% proficiency in math, 6 points above the state average and 63% in reading/language arts, 10 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.1/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $67,839, where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a small city setting.
Score Breakdown
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Oakwood Elementary — Students at Oakwood Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 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: 9.1/10.
How Oakwood Elementary Compares
See how Oakwood Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 71.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 68.1% (2025).
Location
366 4th Street NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Oakwood Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ray Childers Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 4.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Clyde Campbell Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 4.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, W M Jenkins Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 3.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hickory, see our Hickory schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hickory | 0.5 mi | — |
| Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School Hickory | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Hickory | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Viewmont Elementary Hickory | 1.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Hickory High Hickory | 1.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Longview Elementary Hickory | 1.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Northview Middle Hickory | 2.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Grandview Middle Hickory | 2.4 mi | 5.3 |
| TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hickory | 2.9 mi | 5.9 |
| W M Jenkins Elementary Hickory | 3.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Southwest Primary Hickory | 3.1 mi | 7.4 |
| ST STEPHEN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hickory | 3.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Challenger Early College High Hickory | 4.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory | 4.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Saint Stephens Elementary Conover | 4.0 mi | 4.9 |
| REFLECTIONS OF CHRIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hildebran | 4.4 mi | — |
| Saint Stephens High Hickory | 4.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Harry M Arndt Middle Hickory | 5.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Hildebran Elementary Hildebran | 4.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Ray Childers Elementary Hickory | 4.8 mi | 8.4 |
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 Oakwood Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Banoak Elementary Vale, NC | 8.3 |
| Cary Elementary Cary, NC | 8.3 |
| Catawba Heights Elementary Belmont, NC | 8.3 |
| Ceasar Cone Elementary Greensboro, NC | 8.3 |
| Dr Hubert Eaton Sr Elem Wilmington, NC | 8.3 |
| Haw Creek Elementary Asheville, NC | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Oakwood Elementary
What grades does Oakwood Elementary serve?
Oakwood Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Oakwood Elementary?
Oakwood Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 326 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Oakwood Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Oakwood Elementary is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Oakwood Elementary rank in NC?
Oakwood Elementary is ranked #292 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Oakwood Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Oakwood Elementary has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Oakwood Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Oakwood Elementary has 65.2% math proficiency and 63.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Oakwood Elementary a charter school?
No, Oakwood Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Oakwood Elementary a Title I school?
No, Oakwood Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Oakwood Elementary?
99.1% of students at Oakwood Elementary 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 326
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Catawba County
- Phone
- (828) 322-1340
- 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
- #1 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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