Catawba County Schools School District

2285 North Anderson Avenue
Newton, NC 28658-1000
(District boundaries shown in map)
7/
10
Top 50%

Top Rankings

Catawba County Schools School District 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 2025 school year, there are 6 public middle schools serving 2,339 students in Catawba County Schools School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public middle schools in North Carolina.
Public Middle Schools in Catawba County Schools School District have an average math proficiency score of 56% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public middle school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
28 Schools
882 Schools
# Students
15,880 Students
494,023 Students
# Teachers
1,007 Teachers
31,644 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1

District Rank

Catawba County Schools School District, which is ranked within the top 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 86% has decreased from 91% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (NC)
#119 out of 325 school districts
(Top 50%)
This chart displays the overall district rank of Catawba County Schools  School District, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
59%
51%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Catawba County Schools  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
51%
50%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Catawba County Schools  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
71%
63%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Catawba County Schools  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
86%
86%
This chart displays public school graduation rate of Catawba County Schools  School District and public school graduation rate of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.60
0.71
# American Indian Students
6 Students
5,633 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
1,195 Students
19,933 Students
% Asian Students
7%
4%
# Hispanic Students
3,000 Students
98,873 Students
% Hispanic Students
19%
20%
# Black Students
916 Students
122,407 Students
% Black Students
6%
25%
# White Students
9,530 Students
215,701 Students
% White Students
60%
44%
# Hawaiian Students
9 Students
646 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
1,224 Students
30,848 Students
% of Two or more races Students
8%
6%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
251
1,882
# Students in K Grade:
1,086
16,660
# Students in 1st Grade:
1,109
16,806
# Students in 2nd Grade:
1,194
17,050
# Students in 3rd Grade:
1,112
16,530
# Students in 4th Grade:
1,154
16,849
# Students in 5th Grade:
1,137
19,618
# Students in 6th Grade:
1,264
111,560
# Students in 7th Grade:
1,156
116,793
# Students in 8th Grade:
1,183
119,029
# Students in 9th Grade:
1,413
12,380
# Students in 10th Grade:
1,362
10,877
# Students in 11th Grade:
1,299
9,420
# Students in 12th Grade:
1,160
8,569
# Ungraded Students:
-
-

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $10,638 in this school district is less than the state median of $11,187. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,571 is less than the state median of $11,612. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (NC)
Total Revenue
$169 MM
$17,307 MM
This chart displays total revenue of Catawba County Schools  School District and median value from total revenues of all school districts in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending
$168 MM
$17,964 MM
This chart displays total spending of Catawba County Schools  School District and median value from total spendings of all school districts in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Revenue / Student
$10,638
$11,187
This chart displays average revenue per public school student in Catawba County Schools  School District and average revenue per public school student of all school districts in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending / Student
$10,571
$11,612
This chart displays average spending per public school student in Catawba County Schools  School District and average spending per public school student of all school districts in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Best Catawba County Schools School District Public Middle Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Jacobs Fork Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3431 Plateau Road
Newton, NC 28658
(704) 462-1827
Grades: 7-8
| 443 students
Rank: #22.
Mill Creek Middle School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1041 Shiloh Road
Claremont, NC 28610
(828) 241-1494
Grades: 7-8
| 421 students
Rank: #33.
Maiden Middle School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
518 North C Avenue
Maiden, NC 28650
(828) 428-2326
Grades: 7-8
| 405 students
Rank: #44.
Harry M Arndt Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3350 34th Street Drive Ne
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-9545
Grades: 7-8
| 628 students
Rank: #55.
River Bend Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
4670 Oxford School Road
Claremont, NC 28610
(828) 241-2754
Grades: 7-8
| 442 students
Rank: #66.
Catawba Rosenwald Education Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
403 6th Ave Sw
Catawba, NC 28609
(828) 241-2734
Grades: K-12
| n/a students

Recent Articles

What Is A Charter School?
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
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.
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and Evolution
We 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.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 28 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 15,880 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 40%
  • : 86% (Btm 50% in NC)
  • : Top 50%
  • : 59% (Top 30%)
  • : 51% (Top 50%)
  • : 71% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

Quick Links