For the 2025 school year, there are 63 public schools serving 35,144 students in Gaston County, NC (there are 15 private schools, serving 3,306 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Gaston County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Gaston County, NC are Highland Sch Of Technology, Gaston Early College High School and South Point High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Gaston County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 51% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Gaston County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Gaston County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Highland Sch Of Technology
Magnet School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1600 N Morris Street
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 810-8816
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 810-8816
Gr: 9-12 | 528 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #22.
Gaston Early College High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
201 Hwy 321 South, Gaston Coll
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-2405
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-2405
Gr: 9-13 | 195 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #33.
South Point High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
906 South Point Road
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9612
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9612
Gr: 9-12 | 983 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #44.
Hawks Nest Steam Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3430 Robinwood Rd
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-8467
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-8467
Gr: K-5 | 351 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #55.
Cramerton Middle School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
601 Cramer Mountain Road
Cramerton, NC 28032
(704) 836-9603
Cramerton, NC 28032
(704) 836-9603
Gr: 6-8 | 919 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #66.
Mountain Island Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
13440 Lucia Riverbend Highway
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 827-8840
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 827-8840
Gr: K-12 | 1,746 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #77.
Stuart W Cramer High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
101 Lakewood Rd
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 866-5700
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 866-5700
Gr: 9-12 | 956 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #88.
Belmont Central Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
310 Eagle Road
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9137
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9137
Gr: 2-5 | 687 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #99.
East Gaston High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1744 Lane Road
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9613
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9613
Gr: 9-12 | 908 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1010.
North Belmont Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
210 School Street
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9135
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9135
Gr: PK-5 | 334 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1111.
Cherryville Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
700 East Academy Street
Cherryville, NC 28021
(704) 836-9115
Cherryville, NC 28021
(704) 836-9115
Gr: PK-3 | 389 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1212.
Forestview High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5545 Union Road
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 861-2625
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 861-2625
Gr: 9-12 | 1,116 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1313.
New Hope Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
137 Stowe Road
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 836-9112
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 836-9112
Gr: K-5 | 541 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1414.
Cherryville High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
313 Ridge Avenue
Cherryville, NC 28021
(704) 836-9605
Cherryville, NC 28021
(704) 836-9605
Gr: 9-12 | 508 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1515.
W A Bess Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4340 Beaty Road
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 866-6075
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 866-6075
Gr: PK-5 | 641 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1616.
Piedmont Community Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2596 Robinwood Road
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 853-2428
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 853-2428
Gr: K-12 | 1,940 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1717.
Belmont Middle School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1020 South Point Road
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9611
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9611
Gr: 6-8 | 765 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1818.
Pinewood Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1925 N Main Street
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9138
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9138
Gr: PK-5 | 477 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1919.
Ida Rankin Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
301 W Central Avenue
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9136
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9136
Gr: PK-5 | 510 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #2020.
Stanley Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
317 Hovis Road
Stanley, NC 28164
(704) 836-9600
Stanley, NC 28164
(704) 836-9600
Gr: 6-8 | 606 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #2121.
North Gaston High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1133 Ratchford Road
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-5285
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-5285
Gr: 9-12 | 1,083 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #2222.
Catawba Heights Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
101 Ivey Street
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9119
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9119
Gr: PK-5 | 253 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #2323.
Mount Holly Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
124 S Hawthorne Street
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9610
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9610
Gr: 6-8 | 552 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #2424.
W B Beam Intermediate School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
401 East First Street
Cherryville, NC 28021
(704) 836-9114
Cherryville, NC 28021
(704) 836-9114
Gr: 4-5 | 189 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #2525.
Ashbrook High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2222 S New Hope Road
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6600
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6600
Gr: 9-12 | 1,341 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #2626.
Lowell Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1500 Power Drive
Lowell, NC 28098
(704) 836-9118
Lowell, NC 28098
(704) 836-9118
Gr: K-5 | 373 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #2727.
Costner Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
353 Old 277 Loop Hwy
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-3522
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-3522
Gr: PK-5 | 453 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2828.
Community Public Charter
Charter School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
185 Mariposa Road
Stanley, NC 28164
(704) 931-4418
Stanley, NC 28164
(704) 931-4418
Gr: K-9 | 755 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #2929.
Mcadenville Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
275 E Wesleyan Drive
Mc Adenville, NC 28101
(704) 836-9117
Mc Adenville, NC 28101
(704) 836-9117
Gr: K-5 | 174 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #3030.
John Chavis Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
103 South Chavis Drive
Cherryville, NC 28021
(704) 836-9606
Cherryville, NC 28021
(704) 836-9606
Gr: 6-8 | 395 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #3131.
W C Friday Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1221 Ratchford Drive
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-5297
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-5297
Gr: 6-8 | 612 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #3232.
Bessemer City High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
119 Yellow Jacket Lane
Bessemer City, NC 28016
(704) 836-9601
Bessemer City, NC 28016
(704) 836-9601
Gr: 9-12 | 548 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #3333.
Robinson Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3122 S Union Road
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 866-6607
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 866-6607
Gr: PK-5 | 434 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #3434.
Gaston Virtual Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1 Learning Place
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 836-9125
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 836-9125
Gr: K-12 | 323 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #3535.
Tryon Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2620 Tryon Courthouse Road
Bessemer City, NC 28016
(704) 836-9107
Bessemer City, NC 28016
(704) 836-9107
Gr: PK-5 | 334 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Show 28 more public schools in Gaston County, NC (out of 63 total schools)
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Gaston County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
1621 N Webb Street
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6073
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6073
Gr: PK-5 | 364 students Minority enrollment: 64%
1 Learning Place
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6079
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6079
Gr: PK-5 | 410 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
Gaston College-east Campus 722
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 866-6100
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 866-6100
3430 Robinwood Rd
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-8467
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-8467
Gr: 4-5 | 172 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
Highland Charter (Closed 2013)
Charter School
324 North Highland Stree
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 852-7047
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 852-7047
Gr: K-5 | 114 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
135 Camp Sertoma Rd
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-7832
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-7832
Gr: 6-12
1900 W Davidson Avenue
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6098
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6098
Gr: PK-5 | 478 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Gaston County, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Gaston County, NC include Highland Sch Of Technology, Gaston Early College High School and South Point High School.
How many public schools are located in Gaston County?
63 public schools are located in Gaston County.
What percentage of students in Gaston County go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Gaston County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Gaston County?
Gaston County public schools minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Gaston County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Gaston County include: Hunter Huss High School vs. Ashbrook High School, Bessemer City Central Elementary School vs. Bessemer City Primary, Gaston Early College High School vs. Highland Sch Of Technology
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