Hickory Day School
Secular
Updated July 2026
IB PYP
Hickory Day School is an independent, non-profit, non-sectarian school serving students in kindergarten through 8th grade. It is an authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) World School offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and a college-preparatory middle school curriculum.
Curriculum
Teaching approach
Hickory Day School is committed to fostering a love of learning through an inquiry-based, college-preparatory approach that emphasizes academic excellence, critical thinking, and global perspectives. The school integrates the International Baccalaureate (IB) learner profile, aiming to develop students who are principled, caring, open-minded, reflective, balanced, and knowledgeable. The mission centers on creating responsible global citizens who are equipped to handle the challenges of the 21st century.
Programmes
The academic program is built upon the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) for grades K-5, which utilizes six transdisciplinary themes of global significance. The middle school (grades 6-8) continues this inquiry-based approach with a curriculum covering language arts, humanities, history, mathematics, science, Spanish, wellness, visual arts, performing arts, and STEM. Technology is integrated across all levels, utilizing tools such as Google Workspace, Code.org, and Tinkercad. Daily Spanish instruction is provided for all students, with the goal of producing conversant speakers by the end of 8th grade.
Student support
Learning support
The school emphasizes a nurturing environment with low class ratios to ensure students receive individualized attention. The faculty includes specialized roles such as a Reading Specialist and a Math Specialist to support student academic development.
Frequently asked questions(5)
- What curriculum does Hickory Day School offer?
- Hickory Day School offers IB PYP.
- How much is tuition at Hickory Day School?
- Annual tuition at Hickory Day School is $11K–$14K. Fees vary by year group — confirm the current schedule with the school.
- What accreditations does Hickory Day School hold?
- Hickory Day School holds accreditations including IB.
- Is Hickory Day School co-educational?
- Hickory Day School is a co-ed school.
- Where is Hickory Day School located?
- Hickory Day School is an international school in Hickory, United States.
Tuition & fees
Annual tuition by grade
2026-2027| Grade | Ages | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | 5–6 | $11K |
| Lower School (1st-5th) | 6–11 | $12.5K |
| Middle School (6th-8th) | 11–14 | $14K |
Source:PDFHickory-Day-School-Financial-Aid-Policy-updated-010826.pdfPDFUpdate-5126-Hickory-Day-School-Calendar-20262027-1.pdfPDFUpdated-Community-Calendar-2025-2026-4425.pdfPDFHDSProgramofInquiry-June2018docx.pdf
Other fees(3)
| Application fee· Application fee mentioned in financial aid policy | — |
|---|---|
| Registration fee· Annual student fee mentioned in financial aid policy | — |
| Meals· Lunch fees mentioned in financial aid policy | — |
Admissions
Hickory Day School maintains a selective admissions process. For kindergarten, applications open on October 1 of the year preceding enrollment, with interviews beginning in January. For other grade levels, the school utilizes a rolling admissions process, with priority given to current families during the re-enrollment period in February. Financial assistance is available through tuition grants for qualifying students, and the school is an approved recipient of North Carolina opportunities and disabilities grants.
Calendar
The school calendar is maintained as a living, evolving document. Families are directed to the school website to view the specific dates for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Facilities
About the campus
The school is situated on a 16-acre campus that includes several playing fields for physical activities. The middle school is housed in its own dedicated, state-of-the-art building. Additionally, the campus provides access to mobile tablet and laptop carts to support technology integration in the classroom.
David BlakeHead of SchoolDavid Blake joined Hickory Day School in the fall of 2025 as Head of School.
Jessica FarleeAssociate Head of School (K-2)Jessica Farlee is the Reading Specialist, Testing Coordinator, and Associate Head of School (K-2) at HDS. She joined the school in 2014 and holds a B.S. from Appalachian State University and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction in Educational Leadership from UNC-Charlotte.
Shelley HoltsclawDirector of Finance and Business OperationsShelley Holtsclaw joined Hickory Day School in 2015 as the school's Director of Finance and Business Operations. She earned her BA in Accounting and Business Management from Lenoir-Rhyne University and her MBA from East Carolina University.
Alison TompkinsCoordinator of the IBO Primary Years ProgramAlison Tompkins is currently serving as a first grade teacher and coordinator of the IBO Primary Years Program. She began her career at HDS in 2010 and earned her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.