Best Public Schools in Zip Code 28638

Zip code 28638 covers Hudson, North Carolina, and contains five public schools within Caldwell County Schools: one elementary, one middle, and three high schools that together enroll about 3,093 students.

The area is essentially a two-tier system. Caldwell Early College and Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy are specialized high schools that post excellent results, ranking in the 85th and 79th state percentiles respectively with 4-star ratings. The Early College achieves proficiency rates around 90–96% in Biology, English II, and Math III, while the Applied Sciences Academy posts the strongest Math I score in the ZIP at 70.7%. Both schools serve far fewer economically disadvantaged students (34–39% free/reduced lunch) than the zoned schools, and both spend less per pupil while maintaining larger class sizes.

Among the traditional zoned schools, Hudson Elementary is the bright spot: ranked in the 62nd percentile, it posts 5th grade science, math, and reading scores above state averages despite a free/reduced lunch rate near 97%. Hudson Middle ranks in the 55th percentile and improved sharply in 8th grade math, reading, and science, though 7th grade scores slipped. South Caldwell High is the largest and most challenged school, dropping to the 40th percentile with a 2-star rating, a 32.5% chronic absenteeism rate, and only 30% Math I proficiency.

For parents, the biggest takeaway is that attendance tracks achievement closely: the specialized high schools have single-digit chronic absenteeism, while the zoned schools range from 18.6% to 32.5%. Hudson Elementary proves that even a high-poverty school can outperform state averages when absenteeism is managed. Caldwell County Schools earns just 2 stars district-wide, but this ZIP code shows enormous variation within it. The most urgent concern is South Caldwell High, where declining rankings, low math proficiency, and high absenteeism warrant close attention.