South Caldwell High

Summary:

South Caldwell High is a public high school located in Hudson, North Carolina, serving 1,317 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Caldwell County Schools district, which is ranked 151 out of 242 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

South Caldwell High has a predominantly white student population, with 83.98% of students identifying as white, which is significantly higher than the racial diversity seen in nearby schools like Hickory High (33.43% white) and Caldwell Early College (77.02% white). Academically, the school ranks in the middle to upper-middle range of North Carolina high schools, with performance on end-of-course exams generally on par with or slightly above the Caldwell County Schools district average, but often lagging behind the state average. However, the school's performance varies significantly across different student subgroups, with Hispanic and English Language Learner students performing well, but white and multi-racial students struggling.

Compared to other high schools in the area, South Caldwell High generally performs better than West Caldwell High and Hibriten High, but lags behind the exceptional performance of Caldwell Early College and Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy. The school's relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, compared to some of the other nearby schools, may be a contributing factor to its academic performance, suggesting that addressing the needs of economically disadvantaged students could be an important area of focus.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 7035 Spartan Drive
       Hudson, NC  28638-9540


(828) 396-2188

District: Caldwell County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
318th of 640 North Carolina High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,486 Help


Feeder schools for South Caldwell High:

Elementary:    Baton Elementary
    Granite Falls Elementary
    Hudson Elementary
    Sawmills Elementary
Middle:    Granite Falls Middle
    Hudson Middle

Student/teacher ratio:  15.2 Help
Number of students:  1,299

Racial breakdown:

White:
83.3%
Hispanic:
9.9%
Two or more races:
4.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  98.7% Help


 See top rated North Carolina high schools

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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details South Caldwell High ranks better than 50.3% of high schools in North Carolina. It also ranks 3rd among 6 ranked high schools in the Caldwell County Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 46.9. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details South Caldwell High has the largest high school student body size in the Caldwell County Schools District. Racial makeup is: White (83.3%), Hispanic (9.9%), two or more races (4.5%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 98.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at South Caldwell High is 15.2, which is the 3rd best among 6 high schools in the Caldwell County Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare South Caldwell High employs 85 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at South Caldwell High is $9,486. 3 high schools in the Caldwell County Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

South Caldwell High:

SchoolDigger ranks South Caldwell High 318th of 640 North Carolina public high schools. (See South Caldwell High in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
English Language Learner students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Caldwell County Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Caldwell County Schools 151st of 242 North Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for South Caldwell High

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Compare

Rank History for all students at South Caldwell High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 63.67 126th 431 70.8%
2007 60.59 134th 453 70.4%
2008 67.30 90th 477 81.1%
2009 69.44 76th 490 84.5%
2010 69.84 80th 499 84.0%
2011 71.89 73rd 506 85.6%
2012 61.19 139th 502 72.3%
2013 43.14 205th 505 59.4%
2014 48.43 166th 451 63.2%
2015 44.66 219th 531 58.8%
2016 48.58 174th 507 65.7%
2017 56.29 155th 476 67.4%
2018 48.85 219th 469 53.3%
2019 51.86 195th 514 62.1%
2021 47.21 293rd 594 50.7%
2022 38.56 365th 621 41.2%
2023 53.15 270th 626 56.9%
2024 46.90 318th 640 50.3%
See the entire list of North Carolina High School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at South Caldwell High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 28.82 148th 199 25.6%
2022 23.79 193rd 226 14.6%
2023 50.18 113th 249 54.6%
2024 27.73 206th 261 21.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at South Caldwell High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 59.51 55th 262 79.0%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at South Caldwell High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 44.57 156th 349 55.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at South Caldwell High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 50.63 150th 424 64.6%
2019 49.62 143rd 446 67.9%
2021 43.07 167th 432 61.3%
2022 40.20 288th 544 47.1%
2023 49.45 246th 597 58.8%
2024 44.87 285th 613 53.5%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at South Caldwell High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 44.99 249th 449 44.5%
2019 46.37 227th 475 52.2%
2021 44.65 216th 475 54.5%
2022 33.43 395th 594 33.5%
2023 50.86 287th 588 51.2%
2024 50.79 285th 602 52.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at South Caldwell High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 40.78 179th 349 48.7%
2019 61.56 82nd 364 77.5%
2021 49.73 114th 334 65.9%
2022 36.00 187th 330 43.3%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at South Caldwell High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 55.23 157th 325 51.7%
2021 57.13 175th 337 48.1%
2022 44.83 282nd 398 29.1%
2023 58.33 193rd 403 52.1%
2024 55.77 228th 403 43.4%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at South Caldwell High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 48.57 220th 463 52.5%
2019 53.12 181st 488 62.9%
2021 48.45 189th 481 60.7%
2022 41.58 320th 585 45.3%
2023 53.83 255th 602 57.6%
2024 41.99 343rd 607 43.5%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at South Caldwell High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 23.13 273rd 340 19.7%
2019 31.97 238th 354 32.8%
2021 19.79 315th 370 14.9%
2022 19.67 382nd 436 12.4%
2023 63.11 120th 449 73.3%
2024 57.72 145th 454 68.1%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at South Caldwell High

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools NC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.99 314th 427 26.5%
2019 35.86 280th 444 36.9%
2021 37.29 245th 439 44.2%
2022 26.12 415th 534 22.3%
2023 37.51 344th 537 35.9%
2024 31.55 400th 553 27.7%
See the entire list of Best North Carolina High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

South Caldwell High Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 



Data source: North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction

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Enrollment information for South Caldwell High

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 1079 8 0 1 1 n/a n/a -1 1088
1989 960 3 2 1 1 n/a n/a 4 971
1990 1260 5 2 0 0 n/a n/a 12 1279
1991 1164 4 1 1 0 n/a n/a 4 1174
1992 1209 5 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 1214
1993 1234 5 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 1241
1994 1306 11 2 6 0 n/a n/a 0 1325
1995 1294 1 3 4 0 n/a n/a 0 1302
1996 1294 1 3 4 0 n/a n/a 0 1302
1997 1264 1 4 7 0 n/a n/a 0 1276
1998 1236 2 4 14 0 n/a n/a 0 1256
1999 1240 3 3 15 0 n/a n/a 0 1261
2000 1332 6 3 19 0 n/a n/a 0 1360
2001 1336 5 1 21 0 n/a n/a 0 1363
2002 1469 7 5 24 0 n/a n/a 0 1505
2003 1469 7 5 24 0 n/a n/a 0 1505
2004 1504 12 5 28 0 n/a n/a 0 1549
2005 1585 18 6 36 0 n/a n/a 0 1645
2006 1634 23 9 48 1 n/a n/a 0 1715
2007 1561 19 6 58 1 n/a n/a 6 1651
2008 1453 19 6 66 1 n/a n/a 8 1553
2009 1493 34 9 66 0 n/a n/a 0 1602
2010 1447 36 7 63 0 n/a n/a 0 1553
2011 1423 14 4 72 6 0 55 0 1574
2012 1392 13 8 78 5 0 52 0 1548
2013 1403 13 10 74 3 0 45 0 1548
2014 1421 13 10 76 4 0 37 0 1561
2015 1474 11 11 84 5 0 33 0 1618
2016 1475 12 11 97 5 0 24 0 1624
2017 1385 12 10 107 4 0 27 0 1545
2018 1369 14 12 115 2 0 30 0 1542
2019 1258 12 13 117 1 0 34 0 1435
2020 1208 13 11 125 1 0 59 0 1417
2021 1161 15 11 123 1 1 53 0 1365
2022 1162 18 11 119 2 1 69 0 1382
2023 1106 16 11 116 1 1 66 0 1317
2024 1082 18 9 129 1 1 59 0 1299

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at South Caldwell High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1088 71.0 15.3 3
1989 971 72.0 13.4 4.2
1990 1279 87.0 14.7 3.6
1991 1174 85.0 13.8 3.9
1992 1214 74.0 16.4 1.8
1993 1241 72.0 17.2 3.5
1994 1325 77.0 17.2 3.8
1995 1302 77.0 16.9 6.5
1996 1302 77.0 16.9 6.5
1997 1276 80.0 16.0 6
1998 1256 87.0 14.4 9.8
1999 1261 87.0 14.5 10.1
2000 1360 87.0 15.6 9
2001 1363 91.0 15.0 10.9
2002 1505 91.0 16.5 0
2003 1505 91.0 16.5 0
2004 1549 91.0 17.0 19.8
2005 1645 91.0 18.1 22.9
2006 1715 91.0 18.8 24.8
2007 1651 106.0 15.6 27.2
2008 1553 109.0 14.2 28.8
2009 1602 108.9 14.7 32.6
2010 1553 107.5 14.4 38.1
2011 1574 105.4 14.9 40.5
2012 1548 103.4 14.9 45.2
2013 1548 106.9 14.4 42.1
2014 1561 105.8 14.7 43.1
2015 1618 106.0 15.2 42.5
2016 1624 107.0 15.1 42
2017 1545 105.7 14.6 42.5
2018 1542 104.9 14.6 42.5
2019 1435 98.3 14.5 40.8
2020 1417 90.5 15.6 38.5
2021 1365 89.4 15.2 34.8
2022 1382 87.8 15.7 27.1
2023 1317 85.3 15.4 50.1
2024 1299 85.0 15.2 98.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio South Caldwell High

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1088 71.0 15.3 3
1989 971 72.0 13.4 4.2
1990 1279 87.0 14.7 3.6
1991 1174 85.0 13.8 3.9
1992 1214 74.0 16.4 1.8
1993 1241 72.0 17.2 3.5
1994 1325 77.0 17.2 3.8
1995 1302 77.0 16.9 6.5
1996 1302 77.0 16.9 6.5
1997 1276 80.0 16.0 6
1998 1256 87.0 14.4 9.8
1999 1261 87.0 14.5 10.1
2000 1360 87.0 15.6 9
2001 1363 91.0 15.0 10.9
2002 1505 91.0 16.5 0
2003 1505 91.0 16.5 0
2004 1549 91.0 17.0 19.8
2005 1645 91.0 18.1 22.9
2006 1715 91.0 18.8 24.8
2007 1651 106.0 15.6 27.2
2008 1553 109.0 14.2 28.8
2009 1602 108.9 14.7 32.6
2010 1553 107.5 14.4 38.1
2011 1574 105.4 14.9 40.5
2012 1548 103.4 14.9 45.2
2013 1548 106.9 14.4 42.1
2014 1561 105.8 14.7 43.1
2015 1618 106.0 15.2 42.5
2016 1624 107.0 15.1 42
2017 1545 105.7 14.6 42.5
2018 1542 104.9 14.6 42.5
2019 1435 98.3 14.5 40.8
2020 1417 90.5 15.6 38.5
2021 1365 89.4 15.2 34.8
2022 1382 87.8 15.7 27.1
2023 1317 85.3 15.4 50.1
2024 1299 85.0 15.2 98.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for South Caldwell High

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $729 (7.7%) $8,757 (92.3%) $9,486

Data source: North Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on South Caldwell High

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 195th of 514 High schoolsRanks 270th of 626 High schools
 5.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
End of Course Biology (South Caldwell High)61.556.1
 5.4%
   End of Course Biology (Caldwell County Schools)59.847.7
 12.1%
   End of Course Biology (North Carolina)59.654.1
 5.5%
End of Course English II (South Caldwell High)57.153.2
 3.9%
   End of Course English II (Caldwell County Schools)60.953.5
 7.4%
   End of Course English II (North Carolina)59.758.5
 1.2%
End of Course Math I (South Caldwell High)52.140.2
 11.9%
   End of Course Math I (Caldwell County Schools)50.141.6
 8.5%
   End of Course Math I (North Carolina)41.235.9
 5.3%
End of Course Math III (South Caldwell High)44.976.3
 31.4%
   End of Course Math III (Caldwell County Schools)50.167.1
 17%
   End of Course Math III (North Carolina)46.858.3
 11.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students14351317
 8.2%
African American1216
 33.3%
American Indian11
Asian1311
 15.4%
Hispanic117116
 0.9%
Pacific Islander01
White12581106
 12.1%
Two or More Races3466
 94.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients40.8%50.1%
 9.3%


Schools Near South Caldwell High









Frequently Asked Questions about South Caldwell High

South Caldwell High is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Baton Elementary
Elementary : Granite Falls Elementary
Elementary : Hudson Elementary
Elementary : Sawmills Elementary
Middle : Granite Falls Middle
Middle : Hudson Middle

Students at South Caldwell High are 83% White, 10% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 1% African American.

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,299 students attended South Caldwell High.

South Caldwell High ranks 318th of 640 North Carolina high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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