Catawba County Schools & Education
Catawba County, North Carolina
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
33/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
89.5%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
89.5%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 88.0%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,209
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,969
School Score
33/100
Higher = better
State avg 40/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#65
of 100 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Catawba County
School Verdict
Catawba County faces educational challenges with a school score of 33/100 and a graduation rate of 89.5%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $6,209 per pupil, Catawba County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Catawba County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 17% below the North Carolina average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 1.5 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 11% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Catawba County, North Carolina
Extensive School Options Across Three Districts
Catawba County supports a large educational infrastructure with 44 total schools and over 22,400 students. The network includes 24 elementary, 8 middle, and 10 high schools, including two specialized education centers.
High Graduation Rates Outpace State Average
The county boasts an impressive 89.5% graduation rate, surpassing both the state average of 88.0% and the national benchmark of 87.0%. This achievement comes even as the per-pupil expenditure of $6,209 remains lower than the state's $6,969 average.
A Multi-District Educational Hub
Catawba County Schools is the largest district with 15,678 students, followed by Hickory City Schools and Newton Conover City Schools. There are no charter schools in the county, keeping all 22,411 students within traditional public district boundaries.
Diverse Locales from City to Suburb
Students attend schools in a diverse mix of 16 suburban, 15 rural, and 10 city settings. While Saint Stephens High is the largest with 1,265 students, the average school size across the county remains manageable at 509 students.
Find Your Home in Catawba
With its high graduation rates and variety of school settings, Catawba County is a top destination for home-buying families. Explore neighborhoods near Saint Stephens or Hickory to find a home close to these established academic centers.
School Overview
Total Schools
44
in Catawba County
Total Enrollment
22,411
students
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
3 School Districts in Catawba County
Catawba County Schools
Hickory City Schools
Newton Conover City Schools
44 Public Schools in Catawba County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Stephens High | Catawba County Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,265 |
| Hickory High | Hickory City Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,014 |
| Fred T Foard High | Catawba County Schools | 9–12 | High | 956 |
| Maiden High | Catawba County Schools | 9–12 | High | 870 |
| Bandys High | Catawba County Schools | 9–12 | High | 864 |
| Bunker Hill High | Catawba County Schools | 9–12 | High | 828 |
| Newton-Conover High | Newton Conover City Schools | 9–12 | High | 758 |
| Saint Stephens Elementary | Catawba County Schools | PK–6 | Primary | 698 |
| Mountain View Elementary | Catawba County Schools | KG–6 | Primary | 686 |
| Balls Creek Elementary | Catawba County Schools | PK–6 | Primary | 679 |
| Harry M Arndt Middle | Catawba County Schools | 7–8 | Middle | 631 |
| Newton-Conover Middle | Newton Conover City Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 603 |
| Snow Creek Elementary | Catawba County Schools | PK–6 | Primary | 589 |
| Oxford Elementary | Catawba County Schools | PK–6 | Primary | 588 |
| Viewmont Elementary | Hickory City Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 530 |
| Startown Elementary | Catawba County Schools | PK–6 | Primary | 529 |
| Blackburn Elementary | Catawba County Schools | KG–6 | Primary | 527 |
| Sherrills Ford Elementary | Catawba County Schools | KG–6 | Primary | 517 |
| Maiden Elementary | Catawba County Schools | PK–6 | Primary | 499 |
| Northview Middle | Hickory City Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 480 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,209
State avg $6,969
Find Homes Near Top Schools
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Catawba County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Catawba County?
How much does Catawba County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Catawba County, North Carolina — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Catawba County, North Carolina?
Catawba County supports a large educational infrastructure with 44 total schools and over 22,400 students. The network includes 24 elementary, 8 middle, and 10 high schools, including two specialized education centers.
How do schools in Catawba County perform academically?
The county boasts an impressive 89.5% graduation rate, surpassing both the state average of 88.0% and the national benchmark of 87.0%. This achievement comes even as the per-pupil expenditure of $6,209 remains lower than the state's $6,969 average.
What are the major school districts in Catawba County, North Carolina?
Catawba County Schools is the largest district with 15,678 students, followed by Hickory City Schools and Newton Conover City Schools. There are no charter schools in the county, keeping all 22,411 students within traditional public district boundaries.
What is the school experience like in Catawba County?
Students attend schools in a diverse mix of 16 suburban, 15 rural, and 10 city settings. While Saint Stephens High is the largest with 1,265 students, the average school size across the county remains manageable at 509 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Catawba County, North Carolina?
With its high graduation rates and variety of school settings, Catawba County is a top destination for home-buying families. Explore neighborhoods near Saint Stephens or Hickory to find a home close to these established academic centers.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.