Johnston Wh Elementary School Photo

Best Hickory Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 10 private schools serving 1,615 students in Hickory, NC (there are 18 public schools, serving 8,719 public students). 16% of all K-12 students in Hickory, NC are educated in private schools (compared to the NC state average of 8%).
The top-ranked private schools in Hickory, NC include University Christian High School, Hickory Christian Academy, and Tabernacle Christian School.
The average acceptance rate is 77%, which is lower than the North Carolina private school average acceptance rate of 81%.
80% of private schools in Hickory, NC are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Lutheran Church Missouri Synod).

Top-Ranked Hickory Private Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Hickory Christian Academy
(Christian)
3260 6th St. Dr. NW
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 324-5405
Gr: PK-12 | 520 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 11 | Extracurrculars: 8 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. Stephens Lutheran School
St. Stephens Lutheran School Photo
(Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
(3)
2304 Springs Rd NE
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-2166
Gr: PK-8 | 228 students Avg. class size: 24 students Sports: 10 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition listed
Tabernacle Christian School
(Baptist)
(1)
1225 29th Avenue Dr NE
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 324-9936
Gr: K-12 | 287 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 5 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
University Christian High School
University Christian High School Photo - University Christian High School - North Campus
(Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
(3)
602 7th Avenue NE
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 855-2995
Gr: 9-12 | 151 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 11 Tuition listed
Cornerstone Christian Academy
Special Education School (Christian)
231 3rd Ave. Ne
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 781-2227
Gr: 2-12 | 20 students
Hickory Day School
Hickory Day School Photo - Mayor Rudy Wright came to speak about different types of government.
(2)
2535 21st Avenue NE
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-9492
Gr: K-8 | 136 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 9 | Extracurrculars: 13 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Johnston Wh Elementary School
Johnston Wh Elementary School Photo
(Seventh Day Adventist)
174 23rd St NW
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 327-4005
Gr: K-8 | 19 students
Kinderkids At St. Luke's Umc Cdc
Daycare / Preschool (Methodist)
52 16th Avenue Nw
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 327-4010
Gr: NS | 92 students
Little Folks School East
Daycare / Preschool
410 21st Street Se
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 327-9983
Gr: NS-PK | 62 students
Mt. Olive Lutheran Child Devel
Daycare / Preschool (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (formerly AELC, ALC, or LCA))
2780 N Center St
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 324-0120
Gr: PK-K | 100 students

Overview

This Town (Hickory)
This State (NC)
# Schools
10 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
1,615 Students
136,532 Students
% Average Students of Color
12%
24%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
124 Teachers
13,573 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
10:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
79%
47%
Average Class Size
18 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
5 courses
11 courses
Average SAT score
1189
(Out of 1600)
1210
Average ACT score
24
(Out of 36)
26

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$8,013
$13,172
Average Summer Program Cost
$100
$758
Average % on Financial Aid
12%
30%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$2,533
$5,553
Average Acceptance Rate
77%
81%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.45
0.58
# American Indian Students
3 Students
641 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
11 Students
4,215 Students
% Asian Students
1%
3%
# Hispanic Students
43 Students
5,804 Students
% Hispanic Students
4%
4%
# Black Students
28 Students
9,651 Students
% Black Students
2%
7%
# White Students
840 Students
79,836 Students
% White Students
71%
60%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
496 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
256 Students
33,802 Students
% of Others Students
22%
25%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
9 sports
7 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in Hickory, NC?
The top-ranked private schools in Hickory, NC include University Christian High School, Hickory Christian Academy, and Tabernacle Christian School.
How many private schools are located in Hickory?
10 private schools are located in Hickory.
How diverse are private schools in Hickory?
Hickory private schools are approximately 12% minority students, which is lower than the North Carolina private school average of 24%.
What percentage of students in Hickory go to private school?
16% of all K-12 students in Hickory are educated in private schools (compared to the NC state average of 8%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Hickory?
80% of private schools in Hickory are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Lutheran Church Missouri Synod).
Which private schools in Hickory are often viewed compared to one another?

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