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Average

#202 of 404 private schools in NC

Top 50% of private schools

University Christian High School

High School

629 8TH ST NE, Hickory, NC 28601

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 16 schools in Hickory. Learn more

Enrollment

165

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

6.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Hickory

#1 of 3

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#21 of 33

Academic performance

7.0 / 10

Strong

About University Christian High School

University Christian High School serves 165 students in grades 9-12 in Hickory, North Carolina. This regular public high school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1 with 13 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more personalized attention in smaller classroom settings. The school earns a solid 8.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout, though it ranks #305 out of 404 high schools statewide, placing it in the 25th percentile among North Carolina schools.

This suggests the school is working to strengthen its academic programs and student outcomes. University Christian High School is situated in the heart of Hickory, a small city environment that provides students with both educational opportunities and community connections. The surrounding 28601 zip code area reflects a stable middle-class community, with a median household income of $65,158 and median home values around $223,100.

About 35% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 12.1% among the ZIP's 53,172 residents. The school's location on 8th Street Northeast places it within Hickory's established neighborhoods, offering students access to both the resources of a small city setting and the close-knit community atmosphere that characterizes this part of Catawba County.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 165 students, University Christian High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

As a private school, University Christian High School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How University Christian High School compares to the 17 public schools in Hickory, NC

Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
This School
vs
16:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
165
This School
vs
513
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.3
This School
vs
6.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 86.7% vs 0%
Hispanic 6.7% vs 0%
Asian 5.5% vs 0%
Black 1.2% vs 0%
University Christian High School Hickory Public Avg

All Schools in Hickory

School Rating
University Christian High School (this school) 6.3
Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School 6.6
Hickory High 4.4
Oakwood Elementary 8.3
Viewmont Elementary 4.2
Northview Middle 5.0
Longview Elementary 5.4
Grandview Middle 5.3
W M Jenkins Elementary 7.7
Challenger Early College High 4.9
Clyde Campbell Elementary 8.2
Southwest Primary 7.4
Saint Stephens High 4.3
Harry M Arndt Middle 4.4
Webb A Murray Elementary 7.3
Snow Creek Elementary 6.9
Ray Childers Elementary 8.4
Mountain View Elementary 6.4

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in NC.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
C+ 4.4 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 12.3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 9.3 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.2 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,324.8
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B- 5.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 24%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 165
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in NC

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 86.7%
Hispanic 6.7%
Asian 5.5%
Black 1.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

629 8TH ST NE, Hickory, NC 28601

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering University Christian High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School (rated 6.6/10, 0.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Challenger Early College High (rated 4.9/10, 3.5 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Hickory High (rated 4.4/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hickory, see our Hickory schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School Hickory 0.4 mi 6.6
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hickory 0.4 mi
Hickory High Hickory 0.8 mi 4.4
Oakwood Elementary Hickory 0.9 mi 8.3
Viewmont Elementary Hickory 1.2 mi 4.2
Northview Middle Hickory 2.0 mi 5.0
Grandview Middle Hickory 2.4 mi 5.3
Longview Elementary Hickory 2.0 mi 5.4
TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hickory 2.3 mi 5.9
ST STEPHEN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hickory 2.1 mi 4.7
W M Jenkins Elementary Hickory 2.9 mi 7.7
Saint Stephens Elementary Conover 3.1 mi 4.9
Challenger Early College High Hickory 3.5 mi 4.9
Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory 3.6 mi 8.2
Southwest Primary Hickory 3.9 mi 7.4
Saint Stephens High Hickory 4.0 mi 4.3
Harry M Arndt Middle Hickory 4.3 mi 4.4
Snow Creek Elementary Hickory 4.5 mi 6.9
Webb A Murray Elementary Hickory 4.3 mi 7.3
MONTESSORI AT SANDY FORD Newton 5.9 mi 4.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding University Christian High School has a median household income of $67,839. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $236,100, with a median rent of $951/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Academy at Smith Greensboro, NC 6.3
Franklin County Early College Louisburg, NC 6.3
Harper Middle College High Charlotte, NC 6.3
Alger B. Wilkins High School Fayetteville, NC 6.2
Blue Ridge Early College Cashiers, NC 6.2
Levine Middle College High Sch Mathews, NC 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about University Christian High School

What grades does University Christian High School serve?

University Christian High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend University Christian High School?

University Christian High School has an enrollment of approximately 165 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at University Christian High School?

The student-teacher ratio at University Christian High School is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does University Christian High School rank in NC?

University Christian High School is ranked #202 out of 404 private schools in NC.

What is University Christian High School's MySchoolScout rating?

University Christian High School has a composite rating of 6.3 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.

Is University Christian High School a private school?

Yes, University Christian High School is a private coeducational school with a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is University Christian High School a religious school?

University Christian High School has a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,247/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hickory). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
165
Gender Split
48% M / 52% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
School Day
7.2 hours
Days Per Year
184 days
Setting
Small City
County
CATAWBA
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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