Very Good
#614 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 23% in state
W M Jenkins Elementary
Elementary School · Hickory City Schools
3750 N Center Street, Hickory, NC 28601
Enrollment
261
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
261
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hickory
#4 of 17
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#530 of 1,474
In district
#2 of 9
Hickory City Schools
Equity
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About W M Jenkins Elementary
W M Jenkins Elementary is a regular public school located in Hickory, North Carolina. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 261 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1 with 19 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at W M Jenkins Elementary shows that 50% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, while 59% meet proficiency standards in math.
With a MySchoolScout Rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranking #862 among the state's 2661 schools, there is room for academic growth here. The school is situated in a small city setting, providing students with a community-rich environment that fosters learning and development outside the classroom as well.
Score Breakdown
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W M Jenkins Elementary — Students at W M Jenkins Elementary score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 7.4/10.
How W M Jenkins Elementary Compares
See how W M Jenkins Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 41% (2019) to 65.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 50.4% (2025).
Location
3750 N Center Street, Hickory, NC 28601
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering W M Jenkins Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Oakwood Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Clyde Campbell Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Bethlehem Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Taylorsville), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hickory, see our Hickory schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Northview Middle Hickory | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hickory | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Hickory High Hickory | 2.2 mi | 4.4 |
| Viewmont Elementary Hickory | 2.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory | 1.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School Hickory | 2.6 mi | 6.6 |
| UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Hickory | 2.9 mi | 6.3 |
| ST STEPHEN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hickory | 2.9 mi | 4.7 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hickory | 3.2 mi | — |
| Oakwood Elementary Hickory | 3.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Saint Stephens High Hickory | 3.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Snow Creek Elementary Hickory | 3.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Harry M Arndt Middle Hickory | 3.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Bethlehem Elementary Taylorsville | 3.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Saint Stephens Elementary Conover | 4.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Longview Elementary Hickory | 4.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Grandview Middle Hickory | 5.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Webb A Murray Elementary Hickory | 4.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Challenger Early College High Hickory | 5.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Wittenburg Elementary Taylorsville | 5.5 mi | 4.4 |
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 W M Jenkins Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| BROOKSTONE SCHOOLS Charlotte, NC | 7.7 |
| Baton Elementary Granite Falls, NC | 7.7 |
| E M Yoder Elementary Mebane, NC | 7.7 |
| George Watts Elementary Durham, NC | 7.7 |
| Germanton Elementary School Germanton, NC | 7.7 |
| Harmony Elementary Harmony, NC | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about W M Jenkins Elementary
What grades does W M Jenkins Elementary serve?
W M Jenkins Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend W M Jenkins Elementary?
W M Jenkins Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 261 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at W M Jenkins Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at W M Jenkins Elementary is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does W M Jenkins Elementary rank in NC?
W M Jenkins Elementary is ranked #614 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is W M Jenkins Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
W M Jenkins Elementary has a composite rating of 7.7 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 W M Jenkins Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, W M Jenkins Elementary has 58.7% math proficiency and 49.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is W M Jenkins Elementary a charter school?
No, W M Jenkins Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is W M Jenkins Elementary a Title I school?
No, W M Jenkins Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for W M Jenkins Elementary?
98.9% of students at W M Jenkins 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
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hickory). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 261
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Catawba County
- Phone
- (828) 327-3491
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hickory City Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,817
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,662
- District Rank
- #2 of 9
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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