For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 8,584 students in Hickory, NC (there are 10 private schools, serving 1,615 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 Mountain View Elementary School, Oakwood Elementary School and W M Jenkins Elementary 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 57% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Hickory have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Hickory, NC (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Mountain View Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5911 Dwayne Starnes Road
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 294-2020
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 294-2020
Gr: K-6 | 708 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Oakwood Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
366 4th Street Nw
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 322-1340
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 322-1340
Gr: PK-5 | 336 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
W M Jenkins Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3750 N Center Street
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 327-3491
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 327-3491
Gr: K-5 | 276 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #44.
Saint Stephens High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3205 34th Street Drive Ne
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-9841
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-9841
Gr: 9-12 | 1,268 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #55.
Clyde Campbell Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2121 35th Avenue Drive Ne
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-2769
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-2769
Gr: PK-6 | 505 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #66.
Snow Creek Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3238 Snow Creek Rd
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-2335
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-2335
Gr: PK-6 | 551 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #77.
Challenger Early College High School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2550 Hwy 70 Se
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 485-2980
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 485-2980
Gr: 9-12 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 34:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #88.
Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
409 8th Avenue Ne
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 328-6738
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 328-6738
Gr: 9-12 | 201 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #99.
Hickory High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1234 3rd Street Ne
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 322-5860
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 322-5860
Gr: 9-12 | 1,024 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1010.
Northview Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
302 28th Avenue Ne
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 327-6300
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 327-6300
Gr: 6-8 | 481 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1111.
Harry M Arndt Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3350 34th Street Drive Ne
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-9545
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-9545
Gr: 7-8 | 601 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1212.
Ray Childers Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1183 Cape Hickory Road
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 324-1340
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 324-1340
Gr: PK-5 | 460 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1313.
Longview Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
737 12th Street Sw
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 485-0975
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 485-0975
Gr: 3-5 | 269 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #1414.
Grandview Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
451 Catawba Valley Boulevard S
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 328-2289
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 328-2289
Gr: 6-8 | 347 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #1515.
Webb A Murray Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3901 Section House Road
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-2196
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-2196
Gr: PK-6 | 380 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #1616.
Viewmont Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
21 16th Avenue Nw
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 324-7049
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 324-7049
Gr: PK-5 | 509 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1717.
Southwest Primary
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1580 32nd Street Sw
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 324-8884
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 324-8884
Gr: PK-2 | 292 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Hickory, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Hickory, NC include Mountain View Elementary School, Oakwood Elementary School and W M Jenkins Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Hickory?
17 public schools are located in Hickory.
What percentage of students in Hickory go to public school?
84% of all K-12 students in Hickory are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Hickory?
Hickory public schools minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Hickory are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Hickory include: Grandview Middle School vs. Northview Middle School, Northview Middle School vs. Grandview Middle School, Southwest Primary vs. Longview Elementary School
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