For the 2025 school year, there are 16 public preschools serving 7,081 students in Catawba County, NC.
The top ranked public preschools in Catawba County, NC are Oakwood Elementary School, Clyde Campbell Elementary School and Snow Creek Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Catawba County, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 55% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Catawba County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 46% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschool average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Preschools in Catawba County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Oakwood Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
366 4th Street Nw
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 322-1340
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 322-1340
Grades: PK-5
| 326 students
Rank: #22.
Clyde Campbell Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2121 35th Avenue Drive Ne
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-2769
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-2769
Grades: PK-6
| 501 students
Rank: #33.
Snow Creek Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3238 Snow Creek Rd
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-2335
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-2335
Grades: PK-6
| 569 students
Rank: #44.
Balls Creek Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2620 Balls Creek Road
Newton, NC 28658
(828) 464-4766
Newton, NC 28658
(828) 464-4766
Grades: PK-6
| 698 students
Rank: #55.
Startown Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4119 Startown Road
Newton, NC 28658
(828) 464-1257
Newton, NC 28658
(828) 464-1257
Grades: PK-6
| 534 students
Rank: #66.
Maiden Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
201 N Main Avenue
Maiden, NC 28650
(828) 428-8769
Maiden, NC 28650
(828) 428-8769
Grades: PK-6
| 538 students
Rank: #77.
Ray Childers Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1183 Cape Hickory Road
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 324-1340
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 324-1340
Grades: PK-5
| 447 students
Rank: #88.
Claremont Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3384 E Main Street
Claremont, NC 28610
(828) 459-7921
Claremont, NC 28610
(828) 459-7921
Grades: PK-6
| 440 students
Rank: #99.
Catawba Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5415 Hudson Chapel Road
Catawba, NC 28609
(828) 241-3131
Catawba, NC 28609
(828) 241-3131
Grades: PK-6
| 421 students
Rank: #1010.
South Newton Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
306 West I Street
Newton, NC 28658
(828) 464-4061
Newton, NC 28658
(828) 464-4061
Grades: PK-5
| 326 students
Rank: #1111.
Lyle Creek Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1845 Edgewater Drive Nw
Conover, NC 28613
(828) 464-0299
Conover, NC 28613
(828) 464-0299
Grades: PK-6
| 444 students
Rank: #1212.
Oxford Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5915 Oxford School Road
Claremont, NC 28610
(828) 459-7220
Claremont, NC 28610
(828) 459-7220
Grades: PK-6
| 547 students
Rank: #1313.
Webb A Murray Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3901 Section House Road
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-2196
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-2196
Grades: PK-6
| 384 students
Rank: #1414.
Viewmont Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
21 16th Avenue Nw
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 324-7049
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 324-7049
Grades: PK-5
| 489 students
Rank: #1515.
Southwest Primary
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24% )
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1580 32nd Street Sw
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 324-8884
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 324-8884
Grades: PK-2
| 311 students
Rank: #1616.
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
Grades: PK-12
| 106 students
Catawba County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
2952 N Oxford Street
Claremont, NC 28610
(828) 459-2051
Claremont, NC 28610
(828) 459-2051
Grades: K-6
| 56 students
S Campus 420 North Center St
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 345-5807
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 345-5807
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
2110 Main Avenue Se
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 327-3689
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 327-3689
Grades: PK-6
| 326 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in Catawba County, NC?
The top ranked public preschools in Catawba County, NC include Oakwood Elementary School, Clyde Campbell Elementary School and Snow Creek Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Catawba County?
16 public preschools are located in Catawba County.
What is the racial composition of students in Catawba County?
Catawba County public preschools minority enrollment is 46% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the North Carolina public preschools average of 59% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Catawba County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Catawba County include: South Newton Elementary School vs. Balls Creek Elementary School, Clyde Campbell Elementary School vs. Snow Creek Elementary School, Catawba Elementary School vs. Balls Creek Elementary School
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