Needs Improvement
#2434 of 2,648 schools in NC
West Caldwell High
High School · Caldwell County Schools · Lenoir, NC
A Caldwell County Schools high school where students score 13 points below what's typical for similar communities.
300 W Caldwell Drive, Lenoir, NC 28645
- Math 29% vs NC 56% (2025)
- Reading 38% vs NC 54% (2025)
- 82.0% 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Students at West Caldwell High score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
2025 NC proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. NC average.
Trend
→ SteadyProficiency is down 29 points across the 17-year record (2009–2025) and has held near 33% recently.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 39% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 45% (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
99.1%
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 West Caldwell 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 5Car-Dependent
- Bike 15Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High3,522/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Lenoir), 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
$50,529
Median home value
$157,800
Median rent
$726/mo
College educated
17.3%
Homeownership
71.7%
Poverty rate
12.5%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 28645; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 in Caldwell County Schools
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caldwell Applied Sciences AcademyEnrollment path unverified | 8.2 | 9–12 | Not available | 215 | Compare → |
| Gateway SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 5.2 | 6–12 | Not available | 62 | Compare → |
| Hibriten HighEnrollment path unverified | 4.5 | 9–12 | Not available | 811 | Compare → |
| South Caldwell HighEnrollment path unverified | 6.8 | 9–12 | Not available | 1,299 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Caldwell County Schools
- Schools in district
- 25
- Rank in district
- #22 of 23
- District spending per student
- $12,066NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 16.6%Census SAIPE · 2024
West Caldwell High is listed in Caldwell County Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About West Caldwell High
West Caldwell High is a public high school in Lenoir, NC, part of Caldwell County Schools, serving approximately 687 students in grades 9th-12th with a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,434 of 2,648 schools in NC. State assessment records show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about West Caldwell High
What grades does West Caldwell High serve?
West Caldwell High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend West Caldwell High?
West Caldwell High has an enrollment of approximately 687 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Caldwell High?
The student-teacher ratio at West Caldwell High is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Caldwell High rank in NC?
West Caldwell High ranks #2,434 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is West Caldwell High's MySchoolScout rating?
West Caldwell High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 West Caldwell High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, West Caldwell High has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is West Caldwell High a charter school?
No, West Caldwell High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Caldwell High a Title I school?
No, West Caldwell High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Caldwell High?
99.1% of students at West 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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 687
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Caldwell County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 43.2%
- Phone
- (828) 758-5583
- 4-Year Graduation
- 82.0%
- Area population (ZIP 28645)
- 46,237
- Area average commute
- 28 min
- Area median age
- 46.5
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 28645; 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
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