For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public middle schools serving 3,840 students in Catawba County, NC.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Catawba County, NC are Jacobs Fork Middle School, Mill Creek Middle School and Maiden Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Catawba County, NC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 53% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 50% statewide average). Middle schools in Catawba County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of North Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Catawba County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Jacobs Fork Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3431 Plateau Road
Newton, NC 28658
(704) 462-1827
Newton, NC 28658
(704) 462-1827
Gr: 7-8 | 482 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #22.
Mill Creek Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1041 Shiloh Road
Claremont, NC 28610
(828) 241-1494
Claremont, NC 28610
(828) 241-1494
Gr: 7-8 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #33.
Maiden Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
518 North C Avenue
Maiden, NC 28650
(828) 428-2326
Maiden, NC 28650
(828) 428-2326
Gr: 7-8 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #44.
Northview Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
302 28th Avenue Ne
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 327-6300
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 327-6300
Gr: 6-8 | 481 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #55.
Harry M Arndt Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3350 34th Street Drive Ne
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-9545
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-9545
Gr: 7-8 | 601 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #66.
Newton-conover Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
873 Northern Dr Nw
Conover, NC 28613
(828) 464-4221
Conover, NC 28613
(828) 464-4221
Gr: 6-8 | 559 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #77.
River Bend Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4670 Oxford School Road
Claremont, NC 28610
(828) 241-2754
Claremont, NC 28610
(828) 241-2754
Gr: 7-8 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #88.
Grandview Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
451 Catawba Valley Boulevard S
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 328-2289
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 328-2289
Gr: 6-8 | 347 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #99.
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: #1010.
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 middle schools in Catawba County, NC?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Catawba County, NC include Jacobs Fork Middle School, Mill Creek Middle School and Maiden Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Catawba County?
10 public middle schools are located in Catawba County.
What is the racial composition of students in Catawba County?
Catawba County public middle schools minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Catawba County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Catawba County include: Grandview Middle School vs. Northview Middle School, Northview Middle School vs. Grandview Middle School, Maiden Middle School vs. Newton-conover Middle School
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