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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Hickory Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 8,584 students in Hickory, NC (there are 10 private schools, serving 1,514 private students). 86% of all K-12 students in Hickory, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
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)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #1 - 31. - 3.
Mountain View Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5911 Dwayne Starnes Road
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:
9/
10
Top 20%
366 4th Street Nw
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:
9/
10
Top 20%
3750 N Center Street
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:
8/
10
Top 30%
3205 34th Street Drive Ne
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:
8/
10
Top 30%
2121 35th Avenue Drive Ne
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:
8/
10
Top 30%
3238 Snow Creek Rd
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:
8/
10
Top 30%
2550 Hwy 70 Se
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:
8/
10
Top 30%
409 8th Avenue Ne
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:
7/
10
Top 50%
1234 3rd Street Ne
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:
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
Ray Childers Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1183 Cape Hickory Road
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:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
737 12th Street Sw
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:
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: #1515.
Webb A Murray Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3901 Section House Road
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:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
21 16th Avenue Nw
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:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1580 32nd Street Sw
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?
86% of all K-12 students in Hickory are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
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?

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