Top 10 Best Hickory Public Schools (2024)

For the 2024 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 8,583 students in Hickory, NC (there are 10 private schools, serving 1,577 private students). 84% of all K-12 students in Hickory, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Hickory, NC are Challenger Early College High School, Mountain View Elementary School and Saint Stephens High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Hickory, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 49% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 42%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in Hickory have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 55% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Hickory, NC (2024)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Challenger Early College High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
2550 Hwy 70 Se
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 485-2980
Grades: 9-12
| 344 students
Rank: #22.
Mountain View Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5911 Dwayne Starnes Road
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 294-2020
Grades: PK-6
| 679 students
Rank: #33.
Saint Stephens High School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3205 34th Street Drive Ne
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-9841
Grades: 9-12
| 1,176 students
Rank: #44.
Clyde Campbell Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2121 35th Avenue Drive Ne
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-2769
Grades: K-6
| 453 students
Rank: #55.
Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
409 8th Avenue Ne
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 328-6738
Grades: 6-12
| 188 students
Rank: #66.
Snow Creek Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3238 Snow Creek Rd
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-2335
Grades: PK-6
| 547 students
Rank: #77.
Oakwood Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
366 4th Street Nw
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 322-1340
Grades: PK-5
| 315 students
Rank: #88.
W M Jenkins Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3750 N Center Street
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 327-3491
Grades: K-5
| 260 students
Rank: #99.
Northview Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
302 28th Avenue Ne
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 327-6300
Grades: 6-8
| 502 students
Rank: #1010.
Hickory High School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1234 3rd Street Ne
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 322-5860
Grades: 9-13
| 1,028 students
Rank: #1111.
Harry M Arndt Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3350 34th Street Drive Ne
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-9545
Grades: 7-8
| 652 students
Rank: #1212.
Ray Childers Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1183 Cape Hickory Road
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 324-1340
Grades: PK-5
| 460 students
Rank: #1313.
Grandview Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
451 Catawba Valley Boulevard
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 328-2289
Grades: 6-8
| 426 students
Rank: #1414.
Webb A Murray Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3901 Section House Road
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-2196
Grades: PK-6
| 403 students
Rank: #1515.
Viewmont Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
21 16th Avenue Nw
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 324-7049
Grades: PK-5
| 505 students
Rank: #1616.
Longview Elementary School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
737 12th Street Sw
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 485-0975
Grades: 3-5
| 317 students
Rank: #1717.
Southwest Primary
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24% )
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1580 32nd Street Sw
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 324-8884
Grades: PK-2
| 328 students
Rank: n/an/a
432 4th Ave Sw
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 322-2855
Grades: n/a
| 0 students
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Hickory, North Carolina

Hickory, North Carolina Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
S Campus 420 North Center St
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 345-5807
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
2110 Main Avenue Se
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 327-3689
Grades: PK-6
| 326 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in Hickory, NC?
How many public schools are located in Hickory, NC?
18 public schools are located in Hickory, NC.
What percentage of students in Hickory, NC go to public school?
84% of all K-12 students in Hickory, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Hickory, NC?
Hickory, NC public schools minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 55% (majority Black).

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