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 2025-26 school year, there are 3 public preschools serving 1,126 students in Hickory City Schools. This district's average pre testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public pre schools in North Carolina.
Public Preschools in Hickory City Schools have an average math proficiency score of 49% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the North Carolina public preschool average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
10 Schools
994 Schools
# Students
3,817 Students
464,055 Students
# Teachers
250 Teachers
33,275 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Hickory City Schools, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 320 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
0.72
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
5%
4%
% Hispanic
27%
23%
% Black
20%
25%
% White
36%
41%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
12%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $10,973 in this school district is less than the state median of $11,191. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,880 is less than the state median of $11,616. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$42 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$42 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$10,973
$11,191
Spending / Student
$10,880
$11,616
Best Hickory City Schools Public Preschools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Oakwood Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
366 4th Street Nw
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 322-1340
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 322-1340
Gr: PK-5 | 326 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #22.
Viewmont Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
21 16th Avenue Nw
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 324-7049
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 324-7049
Gr: PK-5 | 489 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #33.
Southwest Primary
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1580 32nd Street Sw
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 324-8884
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 324-8884
Gr: PK-2 | 311 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Recent Articles
Bullying, Name-Calling & Put-Downs: Parent Guide 2025
Practical tips for parents to address bullying, name-calling, and put-downs鈥攚ith 2025 data, policies, and expert strategies.
What Is a Magnet School? (2025 Guide)
Explore what a magnet school is, how it works, and its benefits in 2025. Clear explanation for parents, students, and educators.
Cooperative Learning in 2025: Evidence, Best Practices & Challenges
Explore cooperative learning in 2025鈥攏ew data, updated practices, expert insights for educators and families.
