Challenger Early College High School is a public secondary school in Hickory, North Carolina, United States on the campus of Catawba Valley Community College. Challenger Early College High School is ranked the top high school in Catawba County Schools.
Serving 376 students in grades 9-12, Challenger Early College High School ranks in the top 30% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is ≥50% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is ≥95% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student-teacher ratio of 34:1 is higher than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 65% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 376 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 34:1
- Minority Enrollment: 65%
- Graduation Rate: ≥95% (Top 5% in NC)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 30%
- Math Proficiency: ≥50% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: ≥95% (Top 1%)
- Science Proficiency: ≥95% (Top 1%)
- Attendance Zone: Challenger Early College High's attendance zone covers the entire school district of Hickory, NC, encompassing approximately 368 square miles. The average distance from the school to the edge of the zone is about 6.8 miles, with the furthest edge located 21.3 miles away, and most families can expect a typical drive of 10-15 minutes.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Challenger Early College High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Challenger Early College High School's student population of 376 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 11 teachers has declined by 21% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
376 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 20-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
11 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 20-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
2005
School Calendar
School Rankings
Challenger Early College High School ranks within the top 30% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Challenger Early College High School is 0.73, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#636 out of 2617 schools
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)≥50%
51%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
≥95%
50%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
≥95%
63%
Student-Teacher Ratio
34:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 20-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
19%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 20-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
32%
22%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 20-year historical data available below ↓
Black
3%
24%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 20-year historical data available below ↓
White
35%
42%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 20-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
11%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 20-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
≥95%
86.5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)0.5%
28.7%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
42%
72%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 18-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
7%
1%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 18-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Purple, Silver
School Mascot
Phoenix
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Challenger Early College High School's ranking?
Challenger Early College High School is ranked #636 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the top 30% of public schools in North Carolina.
What schools are Challenger Early College High School often compared to?
Challenger Early College High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Discovery High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
≥50% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while ≥95% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).
What is the graduation rate of Challenger Early College High School?
The graduation rate of Challenger Early College High School is 95%, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 86.5%.
How many students attend Challenger Early College High School?
376 students attend Challenger Early College High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
35% of Challenger Early College High School students are White, 32% of students are Hispanic, 19% of students are Asian, 11% of students are Two or more races, and 3% of students are Black.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Challenger Early College High School?
Challenger Early College High School has a student ration of 34:1, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What grades does Challenger Early College High School offer ?
Challenger Early College High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Challenger Early College High School part of?
Challenger Early College High School is part of Catawba County Schools.
School Reviews
Review Challenger Early College High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?
Learn how graduation requirements, prerequisites, electives, staffing, scheduling conflicts, AP courses, dual enrollment, and career pathways determine how much control high school students have over schedules each year.
Does Your Child Need More Recess?
Explore whether your child may benefit more from recess than another academic period, including research on attention, learning, physical activity, stress, social development, and school-day balance today.
Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know
Learn how combined-grade classrooms work, why public schools use them, potential benefits and challenges, and the questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in one today.
