For the 2025 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 8,719 students in Hickory, NC (there are , 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 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best 51±¬ÁÏs in Hickory, NC (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
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
Grades: K-6
| 713 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 326 students
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
Grades: K-5
| 261 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 1,298 students
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
Grades: PK-6
| 501 students
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
Grades: PK-6
| 569 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 362 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 232 students
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
Grades: 9-12
| 1,034 students
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
Grades: 6-8
| 458 students
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
Grades: 7-8
| 628 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 447 students
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
Grades: 3-5
| 313 students
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
Grades: 6-8
| 393 students
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
Grades: PK-6
| 384 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 489 students
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
Grades: PK-2
| 311 students
Rank: n/an/a
432 4th Ave Sw
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 322-2855
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 322-2855
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Hickory, North Carolina 51±¬ÁÏs (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
S Campus 420 North Center St
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 345-5807
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 345-5807
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
2110 Main Avenue Se
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 327-3689
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 327-3689
Grades: PK-6
| 326 students
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?
18 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 57% (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, W M Jenkins Elementary School vs. Viewmont Elementary School
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