Average
#2127 of 2,648 schools in NC
South Caldwell High
High School · Caldwell County Schools
7035 Spartan Drive, Hudson, NC 28638
Enrollment
1,299
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
5.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,299
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
5.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hudson
#5 of 5
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#348 of 579
In district
#19 of 23
Caldwell County Schools
Equity
7.3 / 10
Strong
About South Caldwell High
South Caldwell High serves 1,299 students in grades 9-12 in Hudson, North Carolina, earning strong recognition as one of the state's top-performing high schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranking #355 out of 2,661 schools statewide, the school places in the 87th percentile for academic achievement across North Carolina. The school maintains a manageable student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1 with 85 full-time equivalent teachers supporting the student body.
Academic performance is solid, with 63% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 58% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics. These results contribute to the school's impressive 8.3 out of 10 academic score. South Caldwell High draws students from a diverse economic community where the median household income is $49,489 and median home value is $154,600.
The surrounding area has a college education rate of 17% among residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, with a poverty rate of 17.9% across the ZIP code's 11,630 residents. Located at 7035 Spartan Drive, South Caldwell High operates in Hudson's mid-size suburban setting, providing students with a blend of small-town community feel and access to educational opportunities that prepare them for post-secondary success.
Score Breakdown
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South Caldwell High — Students at South Caldwell High score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 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: 3.1/10.
How South Caldwell High Compares
See how South Caldwell High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 36.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 49% (2019) to 62.7% (2025).
Location
7035 Spartan Drive, Hudson, NC 28638
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Caldwell High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Gateway School (rated 6.6/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Granite Falls), which scores notably higher. Another option is Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy (rated 6.1/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jimmy C Draughn High School (rated 5.8/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Valdese), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Hudson, see our Hudson schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Granite Falls Elementary Granite Falls | 1.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Granite Falls Middle Granite Falls | 1.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Sawmills Elementary Granite Falls | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Hudson Middle Hudson | 2.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Hudson Elementary Hudson | 2.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy Hudson | 3.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Caldwell Early College Hudson | 3.2 mi | 5.4 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hudson | 3.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Dudley Shoals Elementary Granite Falls | 4.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Ray Childers Elementary Hickory | 5.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Baton Elementary Granite Falls | 4.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Oak Hill Charter School Lenoir | 5.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Gateway School Granite Falls | 5.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Icard Elementary Connelly Springs | 6.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Whitnel Elementary Lenoir | 6.2 mi | 7.2 |
| East Burke High Connelly Springs | 7.1 mi | 4.6 |
| East Burke Middle Connelly Springs | 7.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Jimmy C Draughn High School Valdese | 6.4 mi | 5.8 |
| CHRIST CLASSICAL ACADEMY Connelly Springs | 6.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Hildebran Elementary Hildebran | 7.5 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28638 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,914
Median Home Value
$174,800
Median Rent
$693/mo
Population
11,629
College Educated
19.4%
Homeownership
75.1%
Avg Commute
23.3 min
Poverty Rate
17.3%
Median Age
38.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Caldwell High has a median household income of $58,914. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $174,800, with a median rent of $693/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.3%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| East Henderson High East Flat Rock, NC | 5.0 |
| R J Reynolds High Winston-Salem, NC | 5.0 |
| Robert B Glenn High School Kernersville, NC | 5.0 |
| Vance County High School Henderson, NC | 5.0 |
| Walter M Williams High Burlington, NC | 5.0 |
| West Carteret High Morehead City, NC | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Caldwell High
What grades does South Caldwell High serve?
South Caldwell High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend South Caldwell High?
South Caldwell High has an enrollment of approximately 1,299 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Caldwell High?
The student-teacher ratio at South Caldwell High is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Caldwell High rank in NC?
South Caldwell High is ranked #2127 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is South Caldwell High's MySchoolScout rating?
South Caldwell High has a composite rating of 5.0 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 South Caldwell High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Caldwell High has 49.0% math proficiency and 54.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Caldwell High a charter school?
No, South Caldwell High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Caldwell High a Title I school?
No, South Caldwell High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Caldwell High?
98.7% of students at South Caldwell 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hudson). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,299
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 85
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Caldwell County
- Phone
- (828) 396-2188
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Caldwell County Schools- District Enrollment
- 10,665
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,066
- District Rank
- #19 of 23
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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