Caldwell County Schools

1914 Hickory Boulevard Sw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(District boundaries shown in map)
: 
5/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

Caldwell County Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:

Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 25 public schools serving 10,597 students in Caldwell County Schools. This district's average testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in North Carolina.
Public Schools in Caldwell County Schools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
25 Schools
2,729 Schools
# Students
10,597 Students
1,548,397 Students
# Teachers
610 Teachers
96,034 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
17:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Caldwell County Schools, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 314 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 81% has decreased from 89% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (NC)
#175 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

(21-22)
47%
51%

Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

48%
50%

Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

61%
63%
81%
86.5%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

(2022-23)
29%
28.7%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.46
0.72

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
5%

Showing 2010–2023. Full 25-year historical data available below ↓

% Hispanic
15%
22%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓

% Black
5%
24%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

% White
72%
42%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
6%

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $13,070 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,318. The school district revenue/student has declined by 7% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,200 is less than the state median of $13,934. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
This School District
This State (NC)
Total Revenue
$139 MM
$20,622 MM

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Spending
$140 MM
$21,575 MM

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Revenue / Student
$13,070
$13,318

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Spending / Student
$13,200
$13,934

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Best Caldwell County Schools Public Schools (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Caldwell Early College
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2859 Hickory Blvd Sw
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 759-4636
Gr: 9-13 | 317 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #22.
Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2857 Hickory Boulevard
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 759-4640
Gr: 9-12 | 218 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #33.
Granite Falls Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
60 N Highland Avenue
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-2222
Gr: PK-5 | 647 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #44.
Hibriten High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1350 Panther Trail Se
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 758-7376
Gr: 9-12 | 818 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #55.
South Caldwell High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
7035 Spartan Drive
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 396-2188
Gr: 9-12 | 1,272 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #66.
West Caldwell High School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
300 W Caldwell Drive
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 758-5583
Gr: 9-12 | 634 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #77.
Lower Creek Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
630 Lower Creek Drive Ne
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-4022
Gr: PK-5 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #88.
Collettsville School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4690 Collettsville School Rd
Collettsville, NC 28611
(828) 754-6913
Gr: PK-8 | 321 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #99.
Granite Falls Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4 West Highland Ave
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-2341
Gr: 6-8 | 518 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1010.
Hudson Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
291 Pine Mountain Road
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 728-4281
Gr: 6-8 | 551 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1111.
Baton Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1400 Baton School Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 728-9531
Gr: PK-5 | 357 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1212.
Valmead Elementary School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
111 Elizabeth Drive Nw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-9612
Gr: PK-5 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1313.
Hudson Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
200 Roy Coffey Drive
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 728-3712
Gr: PK-5 | 665 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Happy Valley Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1350 Yadkin River Road
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-3496
Gr: PK-8 | 234 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Kings Creek Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3680 Wilkesboro Boulevard
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-6039
Gr: PK-8 | 153 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1616.
William Lenoir Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1366 Wildcat Trail
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 726-3910
Gr: 6-8 | 512 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1717.
Gamewell Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3210 Gamewell School Road
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-6204
Gr: 6-8 | 457 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1818.
Sawmills Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4436 Sawmills School Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-2610
Gr: PK-5 | 351 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1919.
Dudley Shoals Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1500 Dudley Shoals Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-3457
Gr: PK-5 | 433 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #2020.
Davenport A+ School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
901 College Avenue Sw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-6941
Gr: PK-5 | 429 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #2121.
Gamewell Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2904 Morganton Boulevard
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 758-1193
Gr: PK-5 | 459 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #2222.
Whitnel Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1425 Berkley Street Sw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 728-6423
Gr: PK-5 | 330 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #2323.
Horizons Elementary School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
332 Greenhaven Dr. Nw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 726-3855
Gr: K-5 | 29 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #2424.
Gateway School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1889 Dudley Shoals Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-8373
Gr: 6-12 | 53 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: n/an/a
332 Greenhaven Dr Nw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 726-3855
Gr: 4-12 | 138 students Student-teacher ratio: 69:1 Minority enrollment: 21%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Caldwell County Schools?
Caldwell County Schools manages 25 public schools serving 10,597 students.
What is the rank of Caldwell County Schools?
Caldwell County Schools is ranked #175 out of 314 school districts in North Carolina (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of North Carolina school districts for: Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Caldwell County Schools?
72% of Caldwell County Schools students are White, 15% of students are Hispanic, 7% of students are Two or more races, 5% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Caldwell County Schools?
Caldwell County Schools has a student/teacher ratio of 17:1, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 16:1.
What is Caldwell County Schools's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $13,200 is less than the state median of $13,934. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • District size: 25 schools
  • Grades: PK-13
  • Enrollment: 10,597 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 28%
  • : 81% (Btm 50% in NC)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 47% (Btm 50%)
  • : 48% (Btm 50%)
  • : 61% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

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