| District | City | Rating | Students | Schools | Grades | Zip Codes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton-Conover City Schools | Newton | 9/10 Excellent · 80th pct | 2,856 | 7 | PK–12 | 0 |
| Catawba County Schools | Hickory | 8/10 Good · 70th pct | 15,678 | 28 | PK–12 | 9 |
| Hickory City Schools | Hickory | 4/10 Below Average · 37th pct | 3,877 | 9 | PK–12 | 0 |
How Catawba County compares
Together they enroll 22,411 students across 44 schools. The largest is Catawba County Schools with 15,678 students. Districts here average 7.0/10, above the North Carolina average of 5.4/10. Ratings range from 4/10 to 9/10.
School Districts in Catawba County, North Carolina
Catawba County has 3 public school districts covering 9 zip codes. The top-rated district in Catawba County is Newton-Conover City Schools (9/10). Ratings are based on the share of students proficient in reading and math on state assessments (NC EOG 2024–25), ranked against all districts in North Carolina. Directory details come from NCES CCD 2024–25.
Enter your zip code on any page to confirm your exact district assignment — district boundaries are address-specific and may not follow county or city lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many school districts are in Catawba County, NC?
3 school districts serve zip codes in Catawba County, NC. This page lists each one with its rating, enrollment, grade span and the zip codes it covers.
What is the best-rated school district in Catawba County, NC?
Of the districts serving Catawba County, Newton-Conover City Schools has the highest rating on this site at 9/10. That places it in the 80th percentile among North Carolina school districts.
How are these school district ratings calculated?
Each rating is the share of students scoring proficient or above on North Carolina reading and math assessments, ranked against other districts in North Carolina and converted to a 1–10 scale. Percentiles compare districts within North Carolina only, never across state lines.