Gaston County Schools School District

943 Osceola Street
Gastonia, NC 28054-1397
(District boundaries shown in map)
5/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

Gaston County Schools School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in North Carolina for:

Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2024 school year, there are 45 public elementary schools serving 20,920 students in Gaston County Schools School District. 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 School District 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 50% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 56% (majority Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
58 Schools
2,169 Schools
# Students
30,001 Students
1,079,973 Students
# Teachers
1,930 Teachers
74,448 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1

District Rank

Gaston County Schools School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 325 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 88% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (NC)
#181 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
This chart displays the overall district rank of Gaston County Schools  School District, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
49%
51%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Gaston County Schools  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
46%
50%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Gaston County Schools  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
61%
63%
This chart displays the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Gaston County Schools  School District and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
85%
86%
This chart displays public school graduation rate of Gaston County Schools  School District and public school graduation rate of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.66
0.70
# American Indian Students
57 Students
12,846 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
447 Students
42,535 Students
% Asian Students
1%
4%
# Hispanic Students
5,255 Students
214,515 Students
% Hispanic Students
18%
20%
# Black Students
7,271 Students
272,424 Students
% Black Students
24%
25%
# White Students
15,275 Students
475,894 Students
% White Students
51%
44%
# Hawaiian Students
37 Students
1,590 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
1,703 Students
59,301 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
6%

Students by Grade:

# Students in PK Grade:
341
21,001
# Students in K Grade:
2,189
112,042
# Students in 1st Grade:
2,004
108,688
# Students in 2nd Grade:
2,081
111,859
# Students in 3rd Grade:
2,147
112,431
# Students in 4th Grade:
2,263
113,015
# Students in 5th Grade:
2,239
113,863
# Students in 6th Grade:
2,327
116,205
# Students in 7th Grade:
2,466
117,135
# Students in 8th Grade:
2,419
119,094
# Students in 9th Grade:
2,967
10,398
# Students in 10th Grade:
2,414
9,149
# Students in 11th Grade:
2,180
8,221
# Students in 12th Grade:
1,964
6,872
# Ungraded Students:
-
-

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $10,437 in this school district is less than the state median of $11,354. The school district revenue/student has grown by 10% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,047 is less than the state median of $11,785. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (NC)
Total Revenue
$313 MM
$17,307 MM
This chart displays total revenue of Gaston County Schools  School District and median value from total revenues of all school districts in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending
$331 MM
$17,964 MM
This chart displays total spending of Gaston County Schools  School District and median value from total spendings of all school districts in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Revenue / Student
$10,437
$11,354
This chart displays average revenue per public school student in Gaston County Schools  School District and average revenue per public school student of all school districts in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Spending / Student
$11,047
$11,785
This chart displays average spending per public school student in Gaston County Schools  School District and average spending per public school student of all school districts in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Best Gaston County Schools School District Public Elementary Schools (2024)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Hawks Nest Steam Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3430 Robinwood Rd
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-8467
Grades: K-5
| 340 students
Rank: #22.
Cramerton Middle School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
601 Cramer Mountain Road
Cramerton, NC 28032
(704) 836-9603
Grades: 6-8
| 890 students
Rank: #33.
Belmont Central Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
310 Eagle Road
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9137
Grades: 2-5
| 673 students
Rank: #44.
North Belmont Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
210 School Street
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9135
Grades: PK-5
| 309 students
Rank: #55.
Cherryville Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
700 East Academy Street
Cherryville, NC 28021
(704) 836-9115
Grades: PK-3
| 371 students
Rank: #66.
New Hope Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
137 Stowe Road
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 836-9112
Grades: K-5
| 473 students
Rank: #77.
W A Bess Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4340 Beaty Road
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 866-6075
Grades: PK-5
| 597 students
Rank: #88.
Belmont Middle School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1020 South Point Road
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9611
Grades: 6-8
| 720 students
Rank: #99.
Pinewood Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1925 N Main Street
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9138
Grades: PK-5
| 469 students
Rank: #1010.
Ida Rankin Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
301 W Central Avenue
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9136
Grades: PK-5
| 507 students
Rank: #1111.
Stanley Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
317 Hovis Road
Stanley, NC 28164
(704) 836-9600
Grades: 6-8
| 675 students
Rank: #1212.
Catawba Heights Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
101 Ivey Street
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9119
Grades: PK-5
| 269 students
Rank: #1313.
Mount Holly Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
124 S Hawthorne Street
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9610
Grades: 6-8
| 595 students
Rank: #1414.
W B Beam Intermediate School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
401 East First Street
Cherryville, NC 28021
(704) 836-9114
Grades: 4-5
| 196 students
Rank: #1515.
Lowell Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1500 Power Drive
Lowell, NC 28098
(704) 836-9118
Grades: K-5
| 402 students
Rank: #1616.
Costner Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
353 Old 277 Loop Hwy
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-3522
Grades: PK-5
| 427 students
Rank: #1717.
Mcadenville Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
275 E Weslyan Drive
Mc Adenville, NC 28101
(704) 836-9117
Grades: K-5
| 179 students
Rank: #1818.
John Chavis Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
103 South Chavis Drive
Cherryville, NC 28021
(704) 836-9606
Grades: 6-8
| 393 students
Rank: #1919.
W C Friday Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1221 Ratchford Drive
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-5297
Grades: 6-8
| 586 students
Rank: #2020.
Robinson Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3122 S Union Road
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 866-6607
Grades: PK-5
| 404 students
Rank: #2121.
Gaston Virtual Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1 Learning Place
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 836-9125
Grades: K-12
| 739 students
Rank: #2222.
Tryon Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2620 Tryon Courthouse Road
Bessemer City, NC 28016
(704) 836-9107
Grades: PK-5
| 318 students
Rank: #2323.
Kiser Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
311 E College Street
Stanley, NC 28164
(704) 836-9105
Grades: 3-5
| 320 students
Rank: #2424.
Carr Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
307 S Pine St
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-3636
Grades: PK-5
| 628 students
Rank: #2525.
Chapel Grove Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
5201 Lewis Road
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 836-9113
Grades: PK-5
| 384 students
Rank: #2626.
Holbrook Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
418 S Church Street
Lowell, NC 28098
(704) 836-9607
Grades: 6-8
| 751 students
Rank: #2727.
Brookside Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1925 Auten Rd.
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6283
Grades: PK-5
| 450 students
Rank: #2828.
Pleasant Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1260 Floyd Lane
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6096
Grades: PK-5
| 810 students
Rank: #2929.
Gardner Park Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
738 Armstrong Park Road
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6082
Grades: PK-5
| 514 students
Rank: #3030.
Southwest Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1 Roadrunner Drive
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6290
Grades: 6-8
| 772 students
Rank: #3131.
Edward D Sadler Jr Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3950 West Franklin Boulevard
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 862-5895
Grades: PK-5
| 358 students
Rank: #3232.
Bessemer City Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
525 Ed Wilson Road
Bessemer City, NC 28016
(704) 836-9602
Grades: 6-8
| 490 students
Rank: #3333.
York Chester Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
601 S Clay Street
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 836-9609
Grades: 6-8
| 458 students
Rank: #3434.
Bessemer City Central Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1400 Puett's Chapel Road
Bessemer City, NC 28016
(704) 836-9108
Grades: 3-5
| 391 students
Rank: #3535.
Sherwood Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1744 Dixon Road
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6609
Grades: PK-5
| 524 students
Show 10 more public schools in Gaston County Schools School District (out of 45 total schools)
Loading...

Recent Articles

Should Teacher Salaries be Public Information?
Should Teacher Salaries be Public Information?
Public school teachers are considered public servants – but does that make their salary details public information? Learn about the heated debate surrounding whether teacher salaries should be made public.
The Link Between Education and Incarceration: The NAACP Report
The Link Between Education and Incarceration: The NAACP Report
Education and the rate of incarceration have been linked in a recent NAACP report. Learn about the report and the troubling findings.
Bussing: North Carolina's New Student Assignment Plan
Bussing: North Carolina's New Student Assignment Plan
We analyze a new plan for student assignment in two North Carolina school districts and the public reaction to the idea of bussing students – as well as alternatives that have been proposed by education experts.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • District size: 58 schools
  • Grades: PK-13
  • Enrollment: 30,001 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 15:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 49%
  • : 85% (Btm 50% in NC)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 49% (Top 50%)
  • : 46% (Btm 50%)
  • : 61% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

Quick Links