For the 2026 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 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Catawba County (2026)
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 | 935 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
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 | 930 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
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 | 852 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
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 | 1,268 student Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
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 | 845 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 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 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 34:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
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 | 146 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
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 | 201 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
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 | 1,024 student Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
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 | 724 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 | 107 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
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 | 7 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
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 56% (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: Hickory Career Arts Magnet High School vs. Fred T Foard High School, Discovery High School vs. Challenger Early College High School, Maiden High School vs. Newton-conover High School
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.