Below Average
#2074 of 2,648 schools in NC
Saint Stephens High
High School · Catawba County Schools · Hickory, NC
A Catawba County Schools high school where students score 4 points below what's typical for similar communities.
3205 34th Street Drive NE, Hickory, NC 28601
- Math 52% vs NC 56% (2025)
- Reading 58% vs NC 54% (2025)
- 85.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Saint Stephens High score 55% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
2025 NC proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. NC average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency is down 28 points across the 17-year record (2009–2025) and has held near 55% recently.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 56% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 60% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
56.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Saint Stephens High sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 23Car-Dependent
- Bike 20Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High3,247/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Hickory), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$67,839
Median home value
$236,100
Median rent
$951/mo
College educated
34.7%
Homeownership
68.1%
Poverty rate
12.7%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 28601; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tabernacle Christian SchoolPrivate · tuition | 5.9private | K–12 | 2.2 mi | 307 | Compare → |
| Hickory HighEnrollment path unverified | 4.5 | 9–12 | 3.9 mi | 1,034 | Compare → |
| Hickory Career Arts Magnet High SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 8.7 | 9–12 | 4.0 mi | 232 | Compare → |
| University Christian High SchoolPrivate · tuition | 6.3private | 9–12 | 4.0 mi | 165 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Catawba County Schools
- Schools in district
- 28
- Rank in district
- #27 of 27
- District spending per student
- $11,487NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 15.6%Census SAIPE · 2024
Saint Stephens High is listed in Catawba County Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Saint Stephens High
Saint Stephens High is a public high school in Hickory, NC, part of Catawba County Schools, serving approximately 1,298 students in grades 9th-12th with a 19.4:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,074 of 2,648 schools in NC. State assessment records show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,298
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 67
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Catawba County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 46.2%
- Phone
- (828) 256-9841
- 4-Year Graduation
- 85.0%
- Area population (ZIP 28601)
- 52,839
- Area average commute
- 21.6 min
- Area median age
- 40.2
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 28601; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
Related 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.