Average
#1650 of 2,648 schools in NC
Saint Stephens Elementary
Elementary School · Catawba County Schools
684 30th Street NE, Conover, NC 28613
Enrollment
730
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
730
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,650 of 2,648
In Conover
#4 of 5
public schools
In district
#19 of 27
Catawba County Schools
School environment
7.5 / 10
Very Good
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Saint Stephens Elementary
Elementary School in Conover · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
St Stephen Lutheran School
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Webb a Murray Elementary
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Saint Stephens Elementary
Saint Stephens Elementary is a public elementary school in Conover, NC, part of Catawba County Schools. Saint Stephens Elementary serves approximately 730 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 14.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Saint Stephens Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,650 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Saint Stephens Elementary show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.7 · Average
- District avg 6.8
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Saint Stephens Elementary sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Saint Stephens Elementary — Students at Saint Stephens Elementary score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 38 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.0/10.
How Saint Stephens Elementary Compares
See how Saint Stephens Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
684 30th Street NE, Conover, NC 28613
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Saint Stephens Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Newton Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Newton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clyde Campbell Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Hickory), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Snow Creek Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Hickory), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Conover, see our Conover schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST STEPHEN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hickory | 1.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Webb A Murray Elementary Hickory | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Challenger Early College High Hickory | 2.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Saint Stephens High Hickory | 2.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Harry M Arndt Middle Hickory | 3.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory | 3.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Snow Creek Elementary Hickory | 3.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Newton-Conover Middle Conover | 2.7 mi | 6.4 |
| TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hickory | 3.1 mi | 5.9 |
| UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Hickory | 3.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School Hickory | 3.3 mi | 8.7 |
| Conover Special Education Conover | 3.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Hickory High Hickory | 3.5 mi | 4.5 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hickory | 3.5 mi | — |
| Northview Middle Hickory | 3.7 mi | 5.8 |
| North Newton Elementary Newton | 3.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Grandview Middle Hickory | 3.8 mi | 4.8 |
| CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Conover | 3.8 mi | 5.2 |
| W M Jenkins Elementary Hickory | 4.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Viewmont Elementary Hickory | 3.9 mi | 3.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28613 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,690
Median Home Value
$208,400
Median Rent
$822/mo
Population
23,486
College Educated
20.1%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
13%
Median Age
39
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Classical Charter Schools of Leland Leland, NC | 5.7 |
| Contentnea-Savannah School Kinston, NC | 5.7 |
| Crown Point Elementary Matthews, NC | 5.7 |
| East Garner Elementary Garner, NC | 5.7 |
| Fox Road Elementary Raleigh, NC | 5.7 |
| Huntingtowne Farms Elementary Charlotte, NC | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Saint Stephens Elementary
What grades does Saint Stephens Elementary serve?
Saint Stephens Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Saint Stephens Elementary?
Saint Stephens Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 730 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Saint Stephens Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Saint Stephens Elementary is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Saint Stephens Elementary rank in NC?
Saint Stephens Elementary ranks #1,650 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Saint Stephens Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Saint Stephens Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Saint Stephens Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Saint Stephens Elementary has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Saint Stephens Elementary a charter school?
No, Saint Stephens Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Saint Stephens Elementary a Title I school?
No, Saint Stephens Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Saint Stephens Elementary?
99.6% of students at Saint Stephens 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 730
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 51
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Catawba County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 22.3%
- Phone
- (828) 256-2570
Resources & Links
District
Catawba County Schools- District Enrollment
- 15,880
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,487
- District Rank
- #19 of 27
Other Schools in This District
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