For the 2025 school year, there are 12 public high schools serving 7,584 students in Catawba County, NC.
The top ranked public high schools in Catawba County, NC are Bandys High School, Fred T Foard High School and Maiden High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Catawba County, NC public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 71% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 59% (versus the 58% statewide average). High schools in Catawba County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of North Carolina public high schools.
Catawba County, NC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 87%, which is more than the North Carolina average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Challenger Early College High School, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Catawba County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Bandys High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
5040 E Bandys Road
Catawba, NC 28609
(828) 241-1471
Catawba, NC 28609
(828) 241-1471
Gr: 9-12 | 923 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #22.
Fred T Foard High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3407 Plateau Road
Newton, NC 28658
(704) 462-1496
Newton, NC 28658
(704) 462-1496
Gr: 9-12 | 956 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #33.
Maiden High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
600 West Main Street
Maiden, NC 28650
(828) 428-8197
Maiden, NC 28650
(828) 428-8197
Gr: 9-12 | 879 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,298 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #55.
Bunker Hill High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4675 Oxford School Road
Claremont, NC 28610
(828) 241-3355
Claremont, NC 28610
(828) 241-3355
Gr: 9-12 | 883 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #66.
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
Gr: 9-12 | 362 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #77.
Discovery High School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
301 West 18th St
Newton, NC 28658
(828) 466-5581
Newton, NC 28658
(828) 466-5581
Gr: 9-12 | 162 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 232 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
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
Gr: 9-12 | 1,034 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1010.
Newton-conover High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
338 W 15th Street
Newton, NC 28658
(828) 465-0920
Newton, NC 28658
(828) 465-0920
Gr: 9-12 | 749 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1111.
Conover Special Education
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
108 7th Street Place Sw
Conover, NC 28613
(828) 464-9532
Conover, NC 28613
(828) 464-9532
Gr: PK-12 | 106 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1212.
Catawba Rosenwald Education Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
403 6th Ave Sw
Catawba, NC 28609
(828) 241-2734
Catawba, NC 28609
(828) 241-2734
Gr: K-12
Catawba County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
2952 N Oxford Street
Claremont, NC 28610
(828) 459-2051
Claremont, NC 28610
(828) 459-2051
Gr: K-6 | 56 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
S Campus 420 North Center St
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 345-5807
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 345-5807
Gr: Inquire with school
2110 Main Avenue Se
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 327-3689
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 327-3689
Gr: PK-6 | 326 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public high schools in Catawba County, NC?
The top ranked public high schools in Catawba County, NC include Bandys High School, Fred T Foard High School and Maiden High School.
How many public high schools are located in Catawba County?
12 public high schools are located in Catawba County.
What is the racial composition of students in Catawba County?
Catawba County public high schools minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high schools average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Catawba County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Catawba County include: Challenger Early College High School vs. Discovery High School, Discovery High School vs. Challenger Early College High School, Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School vs. Fred T Foard High School
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