Top Rankings
Hickory City Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 2 public high schools serving 1,225 students in Hickory City Schools. This district's average high testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public high schools in North Carolina.
Public High Schools in Hickory City Schools have an average math proficiency score of 61% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 58% statewide average).
Public High School in Hickory City School have a Graduation Rate of 87%, which is more than the North Carolina average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School, with ≥90% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public high school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
9 Schools
760 Schools
# Students
3,735 Students
568,877 Students
# Teachers
211 Teachers
31,559 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
18:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Hickory City Schools, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 314 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 86% has decreased from 91% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#161 out of 325 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)52%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
48%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
65%
63%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)85%
86%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.75
0.71
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
5%
4%
% Hispanic
26%
21%
% Black
20%
25%
% White
37%
44%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
12%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $11,214 is higher than the state median of $11,168. The school district revenue/student has grown by 16% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,119 is less than the state median of $11,592. The school district spending/student has grown by 15% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$42 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$42 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$11,214
$11,168
Spending / Student
$11,119
$11,592
Best Hickory City Schools Public High Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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 | 201 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #22.
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 | 1,024 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Recent Articles
How Public Schools Train Staff Each Year
Learn how public schools train staff each year through professional development, safety training, technology instruction, and ongoing educational support.
What Substitute Teachers Experience in Public Schools
Discover what substitute teachers experience in public schools, including daily responsibilities, challenges, rewards, and their role in student success.
How Teachers Collaborate Across Departments in Public Schools
Learn how teachers collaborate across departments to improve student outcomes, strengthen instruction, and prepare students for real-world success.
