Item: Caldwell County Schools
Rating: 5
Author: �鶹������ý

Home > North Carolina > Caldwell County

Caldwell County Schools

1914 Hickory Boulevard Sw
Lenoir, NC 28645

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (828) 728-8407

<�鶹��ý class="so-dt-title" id="top-rankings">Top Rankings

Caldwell County Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:

Category

Attribute

Community Size

Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)

For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public high schools serving 3,554 students in Caldwell County Schools. This district's average high is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public high schools in North Carolina.

Public High Schools in Caldwell County Schools have an score of 69% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and score of 57% (versus the 58% statewide average).

Public High School in Caldwell County School have a of 83%, which is less than the North Carolina average of 86%.

The school with highest graduation rate is Caldwell Early College, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.

Minority enrollment is 28% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public high school average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).

<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="overview">Overview

This School District

This State (NC)

# Schools

25 Schools

758 Schools

# Students

10,596 Students

565,236 Students

# Teachers

740 Teachers

33,421 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

14:1

<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="student-by-grade">Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Caldwell County Schools	North Carolina
Pre-K	8	1
4	2	20
5	6	22
6	16	32
7	20	34
8	40	35
9	893	392
10	899	359
11	867	334
12	803	297

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<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="district-rank">District Rank

Caldwell County 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 81% has decreased from 89% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (NC)

#175 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Caldwell County Schools
2023	#175
2022	#175
2021	#172
2019	#153
2018	#159
2017	#144
2016	#137
2015	#135
2014	#115
2013	#118
2012	#75

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(21-22)

47%

51%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Caldwell County Schools	North Carolina
2022	47%	51%
2021	38%	42%
2019	37%	42%
2018	39%	48%
2017	45%	47%
2016	43%	47%
2015	41%	44%
2014	40%	43%
2013	37%	42%
2012	87%	82%
2011	87%	82%

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48%

50%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Caldwell County Schools	North Carolina
2022	48%	50%
2021	46%	47%
2019	47%	46%
2018	39%	47%
2017	47%	46%
2016	48%	47%
2015	47%	46%
2014	48%	46%
2013	45%	45%
2012	79%	73%
2011	76%	70%

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61%

63%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Caldwell County Schools	North Carolina
2022	61%	63%
2021	57%	61%

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(21-22)

86%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Caldwell County Schools	North Carolina
2022	86%	86%
2021	87%	85%
2020	89%	86%
2019	88%	85%
2018	89%	86%
2017	89%	88%
2016	91%	88%
2015	91%	87%
2014	91%	86%
2013	89%	85%
2012	85%	83%

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<�鶹��ý class='so-dt-title' id="students-by-ethnicity">Students by Ethnicity:

0.44

0.70

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Caldwell County Schools	North Carolina
2023	0.43	0.71
2022	0.41	0.70
2021	0.41	0.69
2020	0.38	0.68
2019	0.38	0.68
2018	0.35	0.67
2017	0.35	0.67
2016	0.34	0.66
2015	0.36	0.66
2014	0.33	0.65
2013	0.34	0.65
2012	0.33	0.64
2011	0.33	0.64
2010	0.30	0.61
2009	0.29	0.61
2008	0.27	0.61
2007	0.26	0.60
2006	0.26	0.58
2005	0.26	0.58
2004	0.24	0.57
2003	0.23	0.56
2002	0.22	0.55
2001	0.21	0.53
2000	0.19	0.53
1999	0.18	0.52
1998	0.17	0.52
1997	0.17	0.50
1996	0.15	0.50
1995	0.15	0.49
1994	0.15	0.48
1993	0.14	0.48
1992	0.14	0.48
1991	0.15	0.48

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% American Indian

n/a

% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1999-2023)
Year	Caldwell County Schools	North Carolina
2023	1%	4%
2022	1%	4%
2021	2%	4%
2020	1%	3%
2019	1%	3%
2014	1%	3%
2013	1%	3%
2012	1%	3%
2011	1%	2%
2010	1%	3%
2009	1%	2%
2008	1%	3%
2007	2%	3%
2006	1%	2%
2005	1%	2%
2004	1%	2%
2003	1%	2%
2002	1%	2%
2001	1%	2%
2000	1%	2%
1999	1%	2%

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% Hispanic

14%

20%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1999-2023)
Year	Caldwell County Schools	North Carolina
2023	14%	20%
2022	13%	20%
2021	12%	19%
2020	11%	18%
2019	11%	18%
2018	11%	17%
2017	11%	17%
2016	11%	16%
2015	11%	16%
2014	9%	15%
2013	9%	14%
2012	8%	13%
2011	8%	13%
2010	7%	11%
2009	6%	11%
2008	7%	11%
2007	6%	10%
2006	5%	8%
2005	4%	8%
2004	4%	7%
2003	3%	6%
2002	3%	5%
2001	2%	4%
2000	1%	4%
1999	1%	3%

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% Black

24%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Caldwell County Schools	North Carolina
2023	5%	25%
2022	5%	25%
2021	5%	25%
2020	5%	25%
2019	5%	25%
2018	5%	26%
2017	5%	26%
2016	5%	26%
2015	7%	26%
2014	6%	26%
2013	6%	26%
2012	6%	26%
2011	6%	26%
2010	10%	31%
2009	9%	31%
2008	7%	29%
2007	7%	29%
2006	8%	32%
2005	9%	31%
2004	9%	31%
2003	8%	31%
2002	8%	31%
2001	8%	31%
2000	8%	31%
1999	8%	31%
1998	8%	30%
1997	9%	31%
1996	8%	31%
1995	8%	30%
1994	8%	30%
1993	8%	30%
1992	8%	30%
1991	8%	30%

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% White

73%

45%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Caldwell County Schools	North Carolina
2023	74%	44%
2022	75%	45%
2021	76%	46%
2020	78%	48%
2019	78%	48%
2018	80%	49%
2017	80%	49%
2016	80%	50%
2015	77%	50%
2014	81%	51%
2013	81%	52%
2012	81%	53%
2011	82%	53%
2010	82%	54%
2009	84%	54%
2008	85%	55%
2007	85%	56%
2006	86%	56%
2005	86%	57%
2004	86%	58%
2003	88%	59%
2002	88%	60%
2001	89%	61%
2000	90%	61%
1999	90%	62%
1998	91%	63%
1997	91%	64%
1996	92%	64%
1995	92%	65%
1994	92%	66%
1993	92%	66%
1992	92%	66%
1991	92%	66%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Caldwell County Schools	North Carolina
2023	6%	6%
2022	6%	5%
2021	5%	5%
2020	5%	5%
2019	5%	5%
2018	4%	4%
2017	4%	4%
2016	4%	4%
2015	5%	4%
2014	3%	4%
2013	3%	4%

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All Ethnic Groups

<�鶹��ý class="so-dt-title" id="district-revenue-and-spending">District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $12,165 is higher than the state median of $11,192. The school district revenue/student has grown by 13% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $12,023 is higher than the state median of $11,617. The school district spending/student has grown by 8% over four school years.

This School District

This State (NC)

Total Revenue

$129 MM

$17,307 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Caldwell County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$129 MM	$8 MM
2022	$122 MM	$8 MM
2021	$129 MM	$8 MM
2020	$122 MM	$8 MM
2019	$117 MM	$8 MM
2018	$116 MM	$8 MM
2017	$113 MM	$8 MM
2016	$112 MM	$8 MM
2015	$119 MM	$18 MM
2014	$108 MM	$10 MM
2012	$106 MM	$17 MM
2011	$115 MM	$19 MM
2010	$119 MM	$18 MM
2009	$113 MM	$19 MM
2008	$111 MM	$18 MM
2007	$105 MM	$18 MM
2006	$102 MM	$15 MM
2005	$92 MM	$15 MM
2004	$88 MM	$17 MM
2003	$85 MM	$17 MM
2002	$86 MM	$16 MM
2001	$88 MM	$17 MM
2000	$84 MM	$20 MM
1999	$76 MM	$23 MM
1998	$68 MM	$26 MM
1997	$64 MM	$34 MM
1996	$61 MM	$34 MM
1995	$64 MM	$32 MM

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Spending

$127 MM

$17,964 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Caldwell County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$127 MM	$8 MM
2022	$127 MM	$8 MM
2021	$127 MM	$8 MM
2020	$127 MM	$8 MM
2019	$120 MM	$7 MM
2018	$120 MM	$8 MM
2017	$115 MM	$9 MM
2016	$116 MM	$8 MM
2015	$105 MM	$18 MM
2014	$108 MM	$11 MM
2012	$106 MM	$16 MM
2011	$111 MM	$17 MM
2010	$105 MM	$18 MM
2009	$109 MM	$18 MM
2008	$106 MM	$17 MM
2007	$101 MM	$18 MM
2006	$99 MM	$15 MM
2005	$90 MM	$15 MM
2004	$84 MM	$16 MM
2003	$85 MM	$17 MM
2002	$83 MM	$15 MM
2001	$89 MM	$17 MM
2000	$86 MM	$20 MM
1999	$77 MM	$24 MM
1998	$68 MM	$26 MM
1997	$64 MM	$36 MM
1996	$61 MM	$33 MM
1995	$63 MM	$32 MM

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Revenue / Student

$12,165

$11,192

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Caldwell County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$12,055	$10,093
2022	$10,678	$9,918
2021	$11,903	$10,282
2020	$10,678	$9,918
2019	$10,050	$9,125
2018	$9,947	$9,419
2017	$9,410	$10,522
2016	$9,163	$9,128
2015	$9,804	$10,864
2014	$8,962	$9,046
2012	$8,443	$10,562
2011	$8,965	$12,703
2010	$9,108	$10,864
2009	$8,617	$11,105
2008	$8,557	$11,767
2007	$8,013	$9,479
2006	$7,833	$9,335
2005	$7,048	$8,913
2004	$6,800	$8,734
2003	$6,668	$8,577
2002	$6,765	$8,130
2001	$6,936	$7,294
2000	$6,668	$7,636
1999	$6,249	$7,252
1998	$5,615	$5,688
1997	$5,345	$5,690
1995	$5,496	$5,545
1992	$4,375	$4,737

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Spending / Student

$12,023

$11,617

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Caldwell County Schools	North Carolina
2023	$11,915	$9,807
2022	$11,122	$9,654
2021	$11,764	$9,990
2020	$11,122	$9,654
2019	$10,337	$8,949
2018	$10,282	$9,637
2017	$9,605	$11,583
2016	$9,529	$9,753
2015	$8,695	$10,591
2014	$8,931	$9,388
2012	$8,395	$10,336
2011	$8,702	$11,927
2010	$8,078	$10,591
2009	$8,339	$10,880
2008	$8,195	$11,136
2007	$7,677	$9,418
2006	$7,585	$8,813
2005	$6,915	$8,647
2004	$6,510	$8,413
2003	$6,675	$8,886
2002	$6,518	$7,903
2001	$7,008	$7,301
2000	$6,861	$7,650
1999	$6,326	$7,340
1998	$5,675	$5,663
1997	$5,286	$6,040
1995	$5,371	$5,570
1992	$4,200	$4,725

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Best Caldwell County Schools Public High Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Caldwell Early College

(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89% )
:

10/

Top 5%

Add to Compare

2859 Hickory Blvd Sw
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 759-4636

Gr: 9-13 | 329 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 24%

Rank: #22.

Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy

(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
:

10/

Top 10%

Add to Compare

2857 Hickory Boulevard
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 759-4640

Gr: 9-12 | 215 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 17%

Rank: #33.

Hibriten High School

(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 57%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

1350 Panther Trail Se
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 758-7376

Gr: 9-12 | 811 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 35%

Rank: #44.

South Caldwell High School

(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 51%)
:

Top 30%

Add to Compare

7035 Spartan Drive
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 396-2188

Gr: 9-12 | 1,299 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 17%

Rank: #55.

West Caldwell High School

(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

300 W Caldwell Drive
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 758-5583

Gr: 9-12 | 687 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 44%

Rank: #66.

Gateway School

Alternative School

(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

1889 Dudley Shoals Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-8373

Gr: 6-12 | 62 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 34%

Rank: n/an/a

Caldwell Online Academy

Add to Compare

332 Greenhaven Dr Nw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 726-3855

Gr: 4-12 | 151 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 29%

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Quick Facts (2026)

District size: 25 schools
Grades: PK-13
Enrollment: 10,596 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
Minority Enrollment: 27%
: 86% (Btm 50% in NC)
: Bottom 50%
: 47% (Btm 50%)
: 48% (Btm 50%)
: 61% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education