Top Rankings
Hickory City Schools School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 2 public high schools serving 1,266 students in Hickory City Schools School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public high schools in North Carolina.
Public High Schools in Hickory City Schools School District have an average math proficiency score of 61% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 58% statewide average).
Public High School in Hickory City School School District have a Graduation Rate of 87%, which is more than the North Carolina average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School, with ≥90% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public high school average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
10 Schools
761 Schools
# Students
3,817 Students
565,764 Students
# Teachers
250 Teachers
33,453 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Hickory City Schools School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 320 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 86% has decreased from 91% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#161 out of 325 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)52%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
48%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
65%
63%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)85%
86%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.75
0.70
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
5%
4%
% Hispanic
27%
20%
% Black
20%
24%
% White
36%
45%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
12%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $10,973 in this school district is less than the state median of $11,187. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,880 is less than the state median of $11,612. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$42 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$42 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$10,973
$11,187
Spending / Student
$10,880
$11,612
Best Hickory City Schools School District Public High Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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 | 232 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #22.
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 | 1,034 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Recent Articles

School Choice vs. Neighborhood Schools: Key Factors
Explore school choice vs. neighborhood schools in 2025. Learn key factors parents should weigh when deciding the best fit for their child.

Best School Match 2025: Public vs Charter vs Magnet
Compare 2025 public, charter, and magnet school options with updated data, trends, and strategies to find the best fit.

51爆料 Boundaries and Equity in 2025
Explore how public school boundaries shape access, equity, and opportunity for students in 2025. Learn the impact on families and education policy.