News

Hickory City Schools celebrated its “Of the Year” award recipients and consecutive years-of-service honorees on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 5 PM at Warehouse 18.

Below is the Superintendent’s Report from the Monday, April 28, 2025, Board of Education meeting, presented by Dr. Jennifer Griffin.

As we step into the busy month of May, it’s a perfect time to pause and celebrate the incredible people who make Hickory City Schools so special — our principals, our teachers, and very soon, our graduating seniors.

Hickory Career & Arts Magnet High School (HCAM) proudly announces that Kassidy Sorrels has been accepted into the prestigious 2025 North Carolina Governor’s School.

Below is the Superintendent’s Report from the Monday, March 24, 2025, Board of Education meeting, presented by Dr. Jennifer Griffin.

First, I would like to acknowledge that March is Arts in Our Schools Month, and I would like to thank Ms. Allen from Northview and her students for the wonderful music provided earlier this evening.

Northview Middle School claimed victory for Hickory City Schools in the Catawba Book Bash, securing the highest score among the district’s schools with 120 points. The event, which featured teams from Hickory City, Catawba County, and Newton Conover City, served as a thrilling prelude to the Regional Middle School Battle of the Books competition.

Oakwood Elementary emerged victorious in the Hickory City Schools Elementary Battle of the Books competition, scoring 110 points. Coached by Jana Kaylor, the Oakwood team read 16 books and demonstrated their knowledge and teamwork to secure first place in the district.

Hickory City Schools is proud to announce that Jason Hoyle, Instructional Technology Specialist, has been named the 2025 NCTIES Impact Award recipient. This esteemed honor recognizes individuals who have made a significant and lasting impact on technology integration in education.

Hickory City Schools was pleased to host Alexander County and Ashe County Schools for a regional professional development session on Friday, February 28th, 2025, at Hickory High School. The "Translating 2st Century Trends into Action" event featured Dr. Bill Daggett from the Successful Practices Network, one of a three-part series.

Below is the Superintendent’s Report from the Monday, February 24, 2025, Board of Education meeting, presented by Dr. Jennifer Griffin.

In case you didn’t know, this is Public Schools Week.

Public Schools Week is an annual week-long celebration dedicated to honoring the invaluable contributions and achievements of educators and education advocates in our public schools and the communities they serve.

Amanda Gerken, Hickory City Schools’ Curriculum Coordinator and Advanced Learning/Gifted Education Coordinator, has been elected the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) Western Region Vice President – Middle Grades for the 2025-2027 term. In her additional role, Gerken will work with educators across the region to enhance middle-grade mathematics education and promote innovative teaching practices.

Hickory City Schools (HCS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Brad Arrowood as the new Director of Human Resources. Dr. Arrowood brings 25 years of experience in educational leadership and a deep commitment to fostering a supportive environment for both educators and students.

Hickory City Schools is proud to announce that Rian R., an 8th grader at Northview Middle School, has emerged as the champion of the 2025 district spelling bee held on January 24, 2025, at Northview Middle School.

Hickory City Schools proudly announces that Rebecca Ebel, a pre-K teacher at Hickory High Child Development Center, has been honored with the prestigious Western Carolina University (WCU) Outstanding Prospective Teacher (OPT) Award. This accolade recognizes her exceptional dedication to the teaching profession and her commitment to fostering a positive learning environment.

Hickory City Schools and Grandview Middle School are excited to announce a strategic partnership with Participate Learning to implement the Global Leaders framework, an innovative initiative designed to prepare students to make an impact on their local and global communities. This collaboration underscores our commitment to equipping students with the skills and mindsets necessary to excel in an interconnected world, ensuring workforce readiness and global competitiveness, while supporting the United States’ ability to remain a leader in the global economy.

Fall 2024 Edition of Rooted Reflections is Here!

Explore the latest edition of Rooted Reflections, our district newsletter showcasing highlights from every school in Hickory City Schools! Celebrate the incredible achievements, memorable moments, and inspiring stories that reflect our deep-rooted connection to education and community.

Read it now: https://secure.smore.com/n/t2vzk-rooted-reflections

Dear Hickory City Schools Staff and Families,

As we approach the holiday season, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your dedication and support throughout this school year. Our theme, Rooted, reminds us of the strength we gain from being deeply connected to one another and to the mission of helping our students grow and thrive. Together, we are cultivating a strong foundation for the future of Hickory City Schools.

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the talented students who submitted their artwork for the 2024 Hickory City Schools Holiday Card Contest! Your creativity and effort have truly brought the holiday spirit to life.

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for each of you. Our schools thrive because of the dedication, kindness, and support of our incredible students, staff, families, and community.

Hickory City Schools is proud to announce that Dorothy Dalton, a dedicated 5th-grade teacher at Oakwood Elementary School, has been selected as the 2024-2025 North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) and North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) Outstanding Elementary School Mathematics Teacher for Hickory City Schools. This distinguished honor recognizes Ms. Dalton's exceptional contributions to mathematics education within our district.

Hickory City Schools is proud to announce that the special celebration honoring the 60th anniversary of the legendary Ridgeview High School Panthers football team, famously known as "The Untouchables," has been rescheduled to Saturday, October 5, 2024.