Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public Middle Schools in Catawba County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Catawba County Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public middle schools serving 3,840 students in Catawba County, NC.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Catawba County, NC are Jacobs Fork Middle School, Mill Creek Middle School and Maiden Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Catawba County, NC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 53% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 50% statewide average). Middle schools in Catawba County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of North Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Middle Schools in Catawba County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Jacobs Fork Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3431 Plateau Road
Newton, NC 28658
(704) 462-1827
Gr: 7-8 | 482 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #22.
Mill Creek Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1041 Shiloh Road
Claremont, NC 28610
(828) 241-1494
Gr: 7-8 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #33.
Maiden Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
518 North C Avenue
Maiden, NC 28650
(828) 428-2326
Gr: 7-8 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #44.
Northview Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
302 28th Avenue Ne
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 327-6300
Gr: 6-8 | 481 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #55.
Harry M Arndt Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3350 34th Street Drive Ne
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-9545
Gr: 7-8 | 601 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #66.
Newton-conover Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
873 Northern Dr Nw
Conover, NC 28613
(828) 464-4221
Gr: 6-8 | 559 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #77.
River Bend Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
4670 Oxford School Road
Claremont, NC 28610
(828) 241-2754
Gr: 7-8 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #88.
Grandview Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
451 Catawba Valley Boulevard S
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 328-2289
Gr: 6-8 | 347 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #99.
Conover Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
108 7th Street Place Sw
Conover, NC 28613
(828) 464-9532
Gr: PK-12 | 107 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1010.
Catawba Rosenwald Education Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
403 6th Ave Sw
Catawba, NC 28609
(828) 241-2734
Gr: K-12 | 7 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 28%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Catawba County, NC?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Catawba County, NC include Jacobs Fork Middle School, Mill Creek Middle School and Maiden Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Catawba County?
10 public middle schools are located in Catawba County.
What is the racial composition of students in Catawba County?
Catawba County public middle schools minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Catawba County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (NC):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

The Impact of Social Media on Students – 2025 Updated Insights
The Impact of Social Media on Students – 2025 Updated Insights
 School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools
10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools
 Education Funding in America (2025 Update)
Education Funding in America (2025 Update)
 Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes
Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes

More Articles

Opinion
Public School Policies
Scholarships
Evaluating Public Schools
Parenting and Learning Issues