For the 2026 school year, there are 5 private preschools serving 1,002 students in Hickory, NC.
The top-ranked private preschools in Hickory, NC include St. Stephens Lutheran School and Hickory Christian Academy.
The average acceptance rate is 75%, which is lower than the North Carolina private preschool average acceptance rate of 80%.
80% of private preschools in Hickory, NC are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Lutheran Church Missouri Synod).
Top-Ranked Hickory Private Preschools (2026)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Hickory Christian Academy
(Christian)
3260 6th St. Dr. NW
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 324-5405
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 324-5405
Gr: PK-12 | 520 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 11 | Extracurrculars: 8 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
2304 Springs Rd NE
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-2166
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 256-2166
Gr: PK-8 | 228 students Avg. class size: 24 students Sports: 10 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition listed
Kinderkids At St. Luke's Umc Cdc
Daycare / Preschool (Methodist)
52 16th Avenue Nw
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 327-4010
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
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
Hickory, NC 28601
(828) 324-0120
Gr: PK-K | 100 students
Overview
This Town (Hickory)
This State (NC)
# Schools
5 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
1,002 Students
97,026 Students
% Average Students of Color
6%
23%
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
56 Teachers
9,097 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
95%
45%
Average Class Size
22 students
16 students
Average Number of AP Courses
3 courses
11 courses
Average SAT score
1168
(Out of 1600)
1207
Average ACT score
24
(Out of 36)
25
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$7,938
$11,925
Average % on Financial Aid
15%
28%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$2,800
$4,898
Average Acceptance Rate
75%
80%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.47
0.59
# American Indian Students
n/a
412 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
9 Students
2,681 Students
% Asian Students
1%
3%
# Hispanic Students
6 Students
3,227 Students
% Hispanic Students
1%
3%
# Black Students
11 Students
5,754 Students
% Black Students
1%
6%
# White Students
569 Students
53,176 Students
% White Students
67%
56%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
421 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
1%
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
253 Students
29,873 Students
% of Others Students
30%
31%
All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars and Sports:
Average Number of Extracurriculars
6 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
11 sports
7 sports
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked private preschools in Hickory, NC?
The top-ranked private preschools in Hickory, NC include St. Stephens Lutheran School and Hickory Christian Academy.
How many private preschools are located in Hickory?
5 private preschools are located in Hickory.
How diverse are private preschools in Hickory?
Hickory private preschools are approximately 6% minority students, which is lower than the North Carolina private school average of 23%.
What percentage of private preschools are religiously affiliated in Hickory?
80% of private preschools in Hickory are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Lutheran Church Missouri Synod).
Which private preschools in Hickory are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private preschools in Hickory include: St. Stephens Lutheran School vs. Hickory Christian Academy
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