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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Caldwell County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 26 public schools serving 10,803 students in Caldwell County, NC (there are 3 private schools, serving 202 private students). 98% of all K-12 students in Caldwell County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in Caldwell County, NC are Caldwell Early College, Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy and Granite Falls Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Caldwell County, NC public 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). Schools in Caldwell County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 27% 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 Caldwell County (2026)

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
Caldwell Online Academy
332 Greenhaven Dr Nw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 726-3855
Gr: 4-12 | 138 students Student-teacher ratio: 69:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: n/an/a
Oak Hill Charter School
Charter School
4603 Oak Hill School Rd.
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 759-1383
Gr: K-8 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 16%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Caldwell County, NC?
The top-ranked public schools in Caldwell County, NC include Caldwell Early College, Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy and Granite Falls Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Caldwell County?
26 public schools are located in Caldwell County.
What percentage of students in Caldwell County go to public school?
98% of all K-12 students in Caldwell County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in Caldwell County?
Caldwell County public schools minority enrollment is 27% 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 Caldwell County are often viewed compared to one another?

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