Newton-Conover City Schools would like to clarify recent information regarding student enrollment trends in our district and invite our school community to attend a series of town hall meetings hosted by the Catawba County Board of Commissioners.
For the second consecutive year, our enrollment has demonstrated stabilization, with 2,575 students currently enrolled—a difference of less than 10 students from last year’s highest enrollment (with new students continuing to enroll daily). This trend reflects the confidence our families place in our schools, our dedicated staff, and the high-quality educational opportunities we provide. Remarkably, our current enrollment has already reached the level that was projected seven years from now, when trends were expected to begin reversing after several years of decline. This means we are well ahead of projections, and with the addition of 1,860 planned new homes in the Newton-Conover district, we expect to see our enrollment continue to grow in the years ahead.
While conversations about facility needs and long-term planning are important, it is not accurate to suggest that Newton-Conover is experiencing significant or ongoing declines in enrollment or will over the next decade. On the contrary, we are encouraged by our stability and growth in the midst of statewide demographic shifts.
We recognize the responsibility our county commissioners hold in funding school construction and capacity needs, and we support transparent dialogue about how best to meet those challenges. However, we also believe strongly that there are solutions available that do not involve merging school systems.To that end, we encourage our families, staff, and community members to attend one of the upcoming Schools Community Conversations hosted by Catawba County. These sessions will provide an opportunity to learn about the options the county government is considering and to share your voice in shaping the future of education in our county. The premise from the county perspective is captured in this announcement for the town hall meetings.
Community Conversations Schedule:
Tuesday, 10/21/25 – Cornerstone Church; 411 E. Main Street, Maiden
Wednesday, 10/22/25 – Hickory Metro Center; 1960 13th Ave Dr SE, Hickory
Thursday, 10/23/25 – Rehobeth Church; 9297 Sherrills Ford Rd, Terrell
Tuesday, 10/28/25 – Conover Station; 403 Conover Station SE, Conover
Newton-Conover City Schools remains committed to maintaining a close-knit, high-quality learning environment for our students and to working collaboratively with all partners to ensure the best outcomes for children and families.