Hickory Day School

Hickoy Day School is an authorized PYP International Baccalaureate World School, I believe on of the only in North Carolina. It teaches students to think on a more globel level. In addition Hickory Day has 'gone green' working to reduce the schools carbon footprint with activities and objectives like a no-power hour and a Zero waste lunch. We are a new family to the school and have been welcomed by the staff and faculty with open arms it truely is a community of loving caring individuals working towards one goal. That goal is to provide our children with and an encouraging and enriching environment to learn and grow as individuals with an awareness and understanding of the world around them. A priceless task in todays ever shrinking world.
--Submitted by a parent

Hickory Day is the premier school in Western North Carolina. Our child looks forward to going to school every day and is excited about sharing what he learns with us. We continue to be astounded at the variety of concepts and ideas that he is exposed to. The small class size makes many different types of learning opportunities possible that just couldn't happen in other schools. We believe that exposure to art, music and wellness are an essential component of a child's learning process. We did not find another school that included these activities into every school day like Hickory Day does. Because of the small size, families get to know each other and all of the children get supported by an extended 'family' which includes the teachers and administration. The result is a happy, successful and well-educated child.
--Submitted by a parent

In addition to the low teacher to student ratio and interesting curriculum, Hickory Day School offers more of the things you miss from many public schools today: creative arts, language class, P.E. A feeling of cooperation and inclusion between teachers and students throughout the school. This is teaching geared to the individual student. Children are encouraged to think, create and learn not just in one way, but in their own way.
--Submitted by a parent

The learning environment that has been created here produces extraordinary results with students moving on feeling confident, proud, and globally aware. The staff consistently provide opportunities for all students to enjoy success.
--Submitted by a teacher

We have struggled for years trying to find a school that could help us with our daughters learning difficulties and the challenges she faces on a day to day basis. Hickory Day has exceeded all of our hopes and expectations. The teacher to student ratio is kept low and the International Baccalaureate program is an amazing learning experience. The children are taught to think 'outside the box' and encouraged to express their individuality. They are supported by peers, administration, and families and no child is left unchallenged. We love this school and so does our daughter....our only regret is that we didn't find it earlier!!!!!! A++++
--Submitted by a parent

I love HDS. The International Baccalaureate program is head and shoulders above any educational philosphy in NC. The teachers teach the children to think critically, problem solve, and be great leaders. I could not be happier.
--Submitted by a parent

We love this school! HDS is an independent school with a low student to teacher ratio. My childrens' teachers and the curriculum they use are leaps and bounds ahead of other schools in the area. (Including Mecklenburg County) My children do not have to tolerate a class size of 20-30 children per teacher. (It's more like 8 per teacher). The school does not have behavioral issues that the public schools are faced with because of the structured learning process. The children are taking traditional school subjects but they are also taking Spanish, drama, art, music and physical education (which many public schools are abandoning)at least three times per week. If you want your child to develop a passion for learning this is the place in the foothills of north carolina. I drive over 30 minutes, one way, every day because there is no better environment.
--Submitted by Andie Taylor, a parent

I have taught at a wide range of schools across the country, and nowhere have I seen more excitement about learning than at Hickory Day. The perfect blend of academic rigor and experiential learning that truly does foster a love of learning.
--Submitted by Scott Owens, a teacher