Top Rankings
Gaston County Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 43 public elementary schools serving 21,370 students in Gaston County Schools. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in North Carolina.
Public Elementary Schools in Gaston County Schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
56 Schools
2,146 Schools
# Students
30,959 Students
1,094,560 Students
# Teachers
1,932 Teachers
71,669 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Gaston County Schools, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 314 school districts in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 85% has decreased from 86% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#181 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)49%
51%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
50%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
61%
63%
Graduation Rate
85%
86.5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)28.7%
28.7%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.69
0.72
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
2%
5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
22%
22%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
26%
24%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% White
44%
42%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
6%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $12,753 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,318. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $12,638 is less than the state median of $13,934. The school district spending/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$395 MM
$20,622 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$391 MM
$21,575 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$12,753
$13,318
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$12,638
$13,934
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Gaston County Schools Public Elementary Schools (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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 | 356 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #22.
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 | 959 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #33.
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 | 693 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #44.
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 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #55.
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 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #66.
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 | 571 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #77.
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 | 674 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #88.
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 | 770 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #99.
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 | 508 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1010.
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 | 533 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1111.
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 | 602 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1212.
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 | 238 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1313.
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 | 570 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #1414.
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 | 191 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1515.
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: PK-5 | 367 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1616.
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 | 430 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1717.
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 | 190 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #1818.
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 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1919.
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 | 618 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #2020.
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 | 420 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #2121.
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 | 336 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #2222.
Kiser Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
311 E College Street
Stanley, NC 28164
(704) 836-9105
Stanley, NC 28164
(704) 836-9105
Gr: 3-5 | 328 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #2323.
Carr Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
307 S Pine St
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-3636
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-3636
Gr: PK-5 | 665 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #2424.
Chapel Grove Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5201 Lewis Road
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 836-9113
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 836-9113
Gr: PK-5 | 382 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #2525.
Holbrook Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
418 S Church Street
Lowell, NC 28098
(704) 836-9607
Lowell, NC 28098
(704) 836-9607
Gr: 6-8 | 712 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #2626.
Brookside Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1925 Auten Rd.
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6283
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6283
Gr: PK-5 | 512 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #2727.
Pleasant Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1260 Floyd Lane
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6096
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6096
Gr: PK-5 | 887 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #2828.
Gardner Park Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
738 Armstrong Park Road
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6082
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6082
Gr: PK-5 | 560 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #2929.
Southwest Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1 Roadrunner Drive
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6290
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6290
Gr: 6-8 | 832 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #3030.
Edward D Sadler Jr Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3950 West Franklin Boulevard
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 862-5895
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 862-5895
Gr: PK-5 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #3131.
Bessemer City Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
525 Ed Wilson Road
Bessemer City, NC 28016
(704) 836-9602
Bessemer City, NC 28016
(704) 836-9602
Gr: 6-8 | 497 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #3232.
York Chester Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
601 S Clay Street
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 836-9609
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 836-9609
Gr: 6-8 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #3333.
Bessemer City Central Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1400 Puett's Chapel Road
Bessemer City, NC 28016
(704) 836-9108
Bessemer City, NC 28016
(704) 836-9108
Gr: 3-5 | 392 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #3434.
Sherwood Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1744 Dixon Road
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6609
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6609
Gr: PK-5 | 553 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #3535.
Lingerfeldt Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1601 Madison Street
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6094
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6094
Gr: PK-5 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Show 8 more public schools in Gaston County Schools (out of 43 total schools)
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