Below Average
#2074 of 2,648 schools in NC
Saint Stephens High
High School · Catawba County Schools
3205 34th Street Drive NE, Hickory, NC 28601
Enrollment
1,298
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,298
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
4.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,074 of 2,648
In Hickory
#13 of 17
public schools
In district
#27 of 27
Catawba County Schools
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Saint Stephens High
High School in Hickory · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Harry M Arndt Middle
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Snow Creek Elementary
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Saint Stephens High
Saint Stephens High is a public high school in Hickory, NC, part of Catawba County Schools. Saint Stephens High serves approximately 1,298 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Saint Stephens High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,074 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Saint Stephens High show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.8 · Below Average
- District avg 5.9
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
46% of students at Saint Stephens High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Saint Stephens High — Students at Saint Stephens High score 55% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 28 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: 5.8/10.
How Saint Stephens High Compares
See how Saint Stephens High 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
3205 34th Street Drive NE, Hickory, NC 28601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Saint Stephens High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School (rated 8.7/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Challenger Early College High (rated 7.3/10, 5.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hickory, see our Hickory schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Harry M Arndt Middle Hickory | 0.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Snow Creek Elementary Hickory | 0.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| ST STEPHEN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hickory | 2.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Webb A Murray Elementary Hickory | 2.5 mi | 5.3 |
| TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hickory | 2.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Saint Stephens Elementary Conover | 2.7 mi | 5.7 |
| W M Jenkins Elementary Hickory | 3.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Northview Middle Hickory | 3.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Newton-Conover Middle Conover | 3.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Wittenburg Elementary Taylorsville | 4.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Hickory High Hickory | 3.9 mi | 4.5 |
| UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Hickory | 4.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School Hickory | 4.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Viewmont Elementary Hickory | 4.1 mi | 3.6 |
| Lyle Creek Elementary Conover | 4.2 mi | 6.9 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hickory | 4.5 mi | — |
| Challenger Early College High Hickory | 5.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Bethlehem Elementary Taylorsville | 5.1 mi | 6.8 |
| NC BOYS ACADEMY Conover | 5.0 mi | — |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Maiden High Maiden, NC | 4.8 |
| Rocky River High School Mint Hill, NC | 4.8 |
| Southwestern Randolph High School Asheboro, NC | 4.8 |
| Westover High Fayetteville, NC | 4.8 |
| Davie County High Mocksville, NC | 4.7 |
| E E Smith High Fayetteville, NC | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Saint Stephens High
What grades does Saint Stephens High serve?
Saint Stephens High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Saint Stephens High?
Saint Stephens High has an enrollment of approximately 1,298 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Saint Stephens High?
The student-teacher ratio at Saint Stephens High is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Saint Stephens High rank in NC?
Saint Stephens High ranks #2,074 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Saint Stephens High's MySchoolScout rating?
Saint Stephens High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Saint Stephens High has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Saint Stephens High a charter school?
No, Saint Stephens High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Saint Stephens High a Title I school?
No, Saint Stephens High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Saint Stephens High?
56.9% of students at Saint Stephens 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,298
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 67
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 56.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Catawba County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 46.2%
- Phone
- (828) 256-9841
- 4-Year Graduation
- 85.0%
Resources & Links
District
Catawba County Schools- District Enrollment
- 15,880
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,487
- District Rank
- #27 of 27
Other Schools in This District
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