- Hudson Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 665 students
- Granite Falls Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 647 students
- Gamewell Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 459 students
- Dudley Shoals Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 433 students
- Davenport A+ School — Grades PK–5 · 429 students
- Lower Creek Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 396 students
- Baton Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 357 students
- Sawmills Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 351 students
- Whitnel Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 330 students
- Valmead Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 305 students
- Horizons Elementary — Grades K–5 · 29 students
- Hudson Middle — Grades 6–8 · 551 students
- Granite Falls Middle — Grades 6–8 · 518 students
- William Lenoir Middle — Grades 6–8 · 512 students
- Gamewell Middle — Grades 6–8 · 457 students
- South Caldwell High — Grades 9–12 · 1,272 students
- Hibriten High — Grades 9–12 · 818 students
- West Caldwell High — Grades 9–12 · 634 students
- Caldwell Early College — Grades 9 · 387 students
- Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy — Grades 9–12 · 218 students
- Collettsville School — Grades PK–8 · 321 students
- Happy Valley Elementary — Grades PK–8 · 234 students
- Kings Creek Elementary — Grades PK–8 · 153 students
- Caldwell Online Academy — Grades 4–12 · 138 students
- Gateway School — Grades 6–12 · 53 students
with district
| Metric | Caldwell County Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | 26 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $10,300/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 6/10 — Average | — | Near average |
About Caldwell County Schools
Zip code 28645 in Caldwell, North Carolina is served by Caldwell County Schools for public school enrollment. The district covers grades Pre-K – 13. This page provides a data-driven overview of Caldwell County Schools’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Funding and Resources
Per-pupil spending at Caldwell County Schools runs approximately $10,300 annually, placing it near the North Carolina state average of approximately $10,500 and below the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Below-average funding can mean larger class sizes, fewer elective offerings, and limited extracurricular programs. Families with specialized needs should verify specific program availability directly with the district. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
Caldwell County Schools is a large district with 26 schools serving students from Pre-K – 13. Large districts typically provide broad program variety: multiple course tracks at the high school level, dedicated arts and athletic programs, specialized learning pathways, and a wider range of student support services. Individual school quality within a large district can vary considerably — always research your specific assigned school, not just district-level averages.
Understanding the 6/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Caldwell County Schools 6 out of 10 — average among North Carolina public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because North Carolina is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Caldwell County Schools falls near the middle of North Carolina on state assessment results, with reading and math proficiency close to the state median. Average-rated districts provide foundational public education, and many families find they deliver solid day-to-day learning — particularly when parents stay engaged. If you're considering this area, look beyond the overall rating: visit schools, talk to current parents, and research the specific school your child would attend. Average districts often have individual schools that significantly outperform the district mean.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 28645
Children in zip code 28645 are assigned to Caldwell County Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 13. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 28645, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Caldwell County Schools at (828)728-8407 or visit www.caldwellschools.com. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — North Carolina districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Caldwell
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Caldwell County Schools serves zip code 28645, district assignment still factors into home-pricing comparisons between zip code 28645 and neighboring areas. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In North Carolina, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Caldwell County Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 28645.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Caldwell County Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 28645 data.