Below Average
#2171 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
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
730
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Conover
#5 of 5
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,344 of 1,474
In district
#21 of 27
Catawba County Schools
About Saint Stephens Elementary
Saint Stephens Elementary is a regular public school located in Conover, North Carolina, serving students from kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 730 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment with 51 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Saint Stephens Elementary is situated in a small city setting within Catawba County.
The academic performance at Saint Stephens Elementary shows room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and state ranking of #2202 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina (17th percentile). The school's academic score is a 2.7 out of 10, with 34% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 39% proficient or above in Math. Saint Stephens Elementary is part of a community that values education and supports its students’ development.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Saint Stephens Elementary — Students at Saint Stephens Elementary 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
99.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 14 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: 4.4/10.
How Saint Stephens Elementary Compares
See how Saint Stephens Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 34% (2019) to 40.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 35% (2019) to 34.4% (2025).
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 9.2/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Newton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clyde Campbell Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Hickory), which scores notably higher. Additionally, W M Jenkins Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 4.2 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 | 7.3 |
| Challenger Early College High Hickory | 2.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Saint Stephens High Hickory | 2.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Harry M Arndt Middle Hickory | 3.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory | 3.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Snow Creek Elementary Hickory | 3.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Newton-Conover Middle Conover | 2.7 mi | 7.2 |
| 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 | 6.6 |
| Conover Special Education Conover | 3.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Hickory High Hickory | 3.5 mi | 4.4 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hickory | 3.5 mi | — |
| Northview Middle Hickory | 3.7 mi | 5.0 |
| North Newton Elementary Newton | 3.9 mi | 9.2 |
| Grandview Middle Hickory | 3.8 mi | 5.3 |
| CONCORDIA CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Conover | 3.8 mi | 5.2 |
| W M Jenkins Elementary Hickory | 4.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Viewmont Elementary Hickory | 3.9 mi | 4.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Saint Stephens Elementary has a median household income of $55,690. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $208,400, with a median rent of $822/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.0%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Mount Energy Elementary Creedmoor, NC | 4.9 |
| Rowland Norment Elementary Lumberton, NC | 4.9 |
| Brassfield Elementary Raleigh, NC | 5.0 |
| Cape Fear Elementary Rocky Point, NC | 5.0 |
| Highland Elementary Burlington, NC | 5.0 |
| Joseph W Grier Academy Charlotte, NC | 5.0 |
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 is ranked #2171 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Saint Stephens Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Saint Stephens Elementary has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Saint Stephens Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Saint Stephens Elementary has 39.5% math proficiency and 34.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (828) 256-2570
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Catawba County Schools- District Enrollment
- 15,880
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,487
- District Rank
- #21 of 27
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.