Excellent
#243 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 9% in state
Ray Childers Elementary
Elementary School · Burke County Schools
1183 Cape Hickory Road, Hickory, NC 28601
Enrollment
447
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
447
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hickory
#1 of 17
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#217 of 1,474
In district
#3 of 26
Burke County Schools
Equity
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Ray Childers Elementary
Ray Childers Elementary is a public elementary school in Hickory, NC, part of the Burke County Schools. The school serves approximately 447 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 90.9th percentile among NC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 62% proficiency in math, 3 points above the state average and 49% in reading/language arts, 4 points below 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 midsize suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
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Ray Childers Elementary — Students at Ray Childers Elementary score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
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 Ray Childers Elementary Compares
See how Ray Childers Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 41% (2019) to 73.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 45% (2019) to 52.5% (2025).
Location
1183 Cape Hickory Road, Hickory, NC 28601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ray Childers Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Oakwood Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 4.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Granite Falls Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Granite Falls), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Southwest Primary (rated 7.4/10, 3.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hickory, see our Hickory schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hildebran Elementary Hildebran | 2.5 mi | 7.3 |
| REFLECTIONS OF CHRIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hildebran | 2.7 mi | — |
| Icard Elementary Connelly Springs | 2.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Granite Falls Middle Granite Falls | 3.5 mi | 7.3 |
| East Burke Middle Connelly Springs | 3.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Granite Falls Elementary Granite Falls | 3.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Southwest Primary Hickory | 3.6 mi | 7.4 |
| East Burke High Connelly Springs | 3.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Longview Elementary Hickory | 4.3 mi | 5.4 |
| South Caldwell High Hudson | 5.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Sawmills Elementary Granite Falls | 5.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Oakwood Elementary Hickory | 4.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Viewmont Elementary Hickory | 5.0 mi | 4.2 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hickory | 5.3 mi | — |
| Hickory High Hickory | 5.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School Hickory | 5.5 mi | 6.6 |
| CHRIST CLASSICAL ACADEMY Connelly Springs | 5.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Mountain View Elementary Hickory | 6.5 mi | 6.4 |
| UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Hickory | 5.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Northview Middle Hickory | 5.9 mi | 5.0 |
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 Ray Childers 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 |
|---|---|
| Allen Jay Elementary High Point, NC | 8.4 |
| Allenbrook Elementary Charlotte, NC | 8.4 |
| Bailey Elementary Bailey, NC | 8.4 |
| Beaufort Elementary Beaufort, NC | 8.4 |
| C Wayne Collier Elementary Hope Mills, NC | 8.4 |
| Doral Academy of North Carolina Raleigh, NC | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ray Childers Elementary
What grades does Ray Childers Elementary serve?
Ray Childers Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Ray Childers Elementary?
Ray Childers Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 447 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ray Childers Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Ray Childers Elementary is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ray Childers Elementary rank in NC?
Ray Childers Elementary is ranked #243 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Ray Childers Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ray Childers Elementary has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Ray Childers Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ray Childers Elementary has 62.3% math proficiency and 49.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ray Childers Elementary a charter school?
No, Ray Childers Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ray Childers Elementary a Title I school?
No, Ray Childers Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ray Childers Elementary?
99.3% of students at Ray Childers 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
- 447
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Burke County
- Phone
- (828) 324-1340
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Burke County Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,690
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,261
- District Rank
- #3 of 26
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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