For the 2025 school year, there are 26 public schools serving 10,803 students in Caldwell County, NC (there are 3 private schools, serving 229 private students). 98% of all K-12 students in Caldwell County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Caldwell County, NC are Caldwell Early College, Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy and Granite Falls Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Caldwell County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Caldwell County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Caldwell County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Caldwell Early College
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2859 Hickory Blvd Sw
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 759-4636
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 759-4636
Grades: 9-13
| 329 students
Rank: #22.
Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2857 Hickory Boulevard
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 759-4640
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 759-4640
Grades: 9-12
| 215 students
Rank: #33.
Granite Falls Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
60 N Highland Avenue
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-2222
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-2222
Grades: PK-5
| 593 students
Rank: #44.
Hibriten High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1350 Panther Trail Se
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 758-7376
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 758-7376
Grades: 9-12
| 811 students
Rank: #55.
South Caldwell High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7035 Spartan Drive
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 396-2188
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 396-2188
Grades: 9-12
| 1,299 students
Rank: #66.
West Caldwell High School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
300 W Caldwell Drive
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 758-5583
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 758-5583
Grades: 9-12
| 687 students
Rank: #77.
Lower Creek Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
630 Lower Creek Drive Ne
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-4022
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-4022
Grades: PK-5
| 383 students
Rank: #88.
Collettsville School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4690 Collettsville School Rd
Collettsville, NC 28611
(828) 754-6913
Collettsville, NC 28611
(828) 754-6913
Grades: PK-8
| 339 students
Rank: #99.
Granite Falls Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4 West Highland Ave
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-2341
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-2341
Grades: 6-8
| 525 students
Rank: #1010.
Hudson Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
291 Pine Mountain Road
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 728-4281
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 728-4281
Grades: 6-8
| 547 students
Rank: #1111.
Baton Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1400 Baton School Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 728-9531
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 728-9531
Grades: PK-5
| 347 students
Rank: #1212.
Valmead Elementary School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
111 Elizabeth Drive Nw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-9612
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-9612
Grades: PK-5
| 275 students
Rank: #1313.
Hudson Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
200 Roy Coffey Drive
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 728-3712
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 728-3712
Grades: PK-5
| 633 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Happy Valley Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1350 Yadkin River Road
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-3496
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-3496
Grades: PK-8
| 223 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Kings Creek Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3680 Wilkesboro Boulevard
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-6039
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-6039
Grades: PK-8
| 148 students
Rank: #1616.
William Lenoir Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1366 Wildcat Trail
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 726-3910
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 726-3910
Grades: 6-8
| 514 students
Rank: #1717.
Gamewell Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3210 Gamewell School Road
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-6204
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-6204
Grades: 6-8
| 486 students
Rank: #1818.
Sawmills Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4436 Sawmills School Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-2610
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-2610
Grades: PK-5
| 336 students
Rank: #1919.
Dudley Shoals Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1500 Dudley Shoals Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-3457
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-3457
Grades: PK-5
| 432 students
Rank: #2020.
Davenport A+ School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
901 College Avenue Sw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-6941
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-6941
Grades: PK-5
| 446 students
Rank: #2121.
Gamewell Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2904 Morganton Boulevard
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 758-1193
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 758-1193
Grades: PK-5
| 519 students
Rank: #2222.
Whitnel Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1425 Berkley Street Sw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 728-6423
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 728-6423
Grades: PK-5
| 267 students
Rank: #2323.
Horizons Elementary School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
332 Greenhaven Dr. Nw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 726-3855
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 726-3855
Grades: K-5
| 29 students
Rank: #2424.
Gateway School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1889 Dudley Shoals Road
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-8373
Granite Falls, NC 28630
(828) 396-8373
Grades: 6-12
| 62 students
Rank: n/an/a
332 Greenhaven Dr Nw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 726-3855
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 726-3855
Grades: 4-12
| 151 students
Rank: n/an/a
Oak Hill Charter School
Charter School
4603 Oak Hill School Rd.
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 759-1383
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 759-1383
Grades: K-8
| 207 students
Caldwell County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
4603 Oak Hill School Road
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-6128
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-6128
Grades: PK-8
| n/a students
125 Maple Drive Nw
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-5161
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828) 754-5161
Grades: 3-5
| 133 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Caldwell County, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Caldwell County, NC include Caldwell Early College, Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy and Granite Falls Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Caldwell County?
26 public schools are located in Caldwell County.
What percentage of students in Caldwell County go to public school?
98% of all K-12 students in Caldwell County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Caldwell County?
Caldwell County public schools minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Caldwell County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Caldwell County include: William Lenoir Middle School vs. Gamewell Middle School, Dudley Shoals Elementary School vs. Granite Falls Elementary School, Gamewell Middle School vs. William Lenoir Middle School
Recent Articles
What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.
