Gates County Schools

205 Main Street
Gatesville, NC 27938
(District boundaries shown in map)
4/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

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

Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 5 public schools serving 1,410 students in Gates County Schools. This district's average testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in North Carolina.
Public Schools in Gates County Schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
5 Schools
2,732 Schools
# Students
1,410 Students
1,549,380 Students
# Teachers
88 Teachers
96,108 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Gates 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 87% has decreased from 90-94% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (NC)
#211 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(21-22)
48%
51%
41%
50%
60%
63%
(21-22)
85-89%
86%
(2022-23)
34.5%
28.7%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.55
0.72
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
n/a
5%
% Hispanic
4%
22%
% Black
27%
24%
% White
61%
42%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
8%
6%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $15,140 is higher than the state median of $11,170. The school district revenue/student has grown by 18% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,102 is higher than the state median of $11,594. The school district spending/student has grown by 18% over four school years.
This School District
This State (NC)
Total Revenue
$21 MM
$17,307 MM
Spending
$21 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$15,140
$11,170
Spending / Student
$15,102
$11,594

Best Gates County Schools Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Gatesville Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
709 North Main Street
Gatesville, NC 27938
(252) 357-0613
Gr: PK-5 | 252 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #22.
Gates County Senior High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
088 Hwy 158 West
Gatesville, NC 27938
(252) 357-0720
Gr: 9-12 | 432 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #33.
T S Cooper Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
237 Nc 32 South
Sunbury, NC 27979
(252) 465-4091
Gr: K-5 | 170 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #44.
Central Middle School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
362 Us Hwy 158 W
Gatesville, NC 27938
(252) 357-0470
Gr: 6-8 | 336 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #55.
Buckland Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
448 Nc 37 North
Gates, NC 27937
(252) 357-1611
Gr: K-5 | 220 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 34%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Gates County Schools?
Gates County Schools manages 5 public schools serving 1,410 students.
What is the rank of Gates County Schools?
Gates County Schools is ranked #210 out of 314 school districts in North Carolina (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of North Carolina school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
What is the racial composition of students in Gates County Schools?
61% of Gates County Schools students are White, 27% of students are Black, 8% of students are Two or more races, and 4% of students are Hispanic.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Gates County Schools?
Gates County Schools has a student/teacher ratio of 16:1, which is equal to the North Carolina state average of 16:1.
What is Gates County Schools's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $15,102 is higher than the state median of $11,594. The school district spending/student has grown by 18% over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 5 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 1,410 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 39%
  • : 85-89% (Top 20% in NC)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 48% (Top 50%)
  • : 41% (Btm 50%)
  • : 60% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

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