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%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public elementary schools serving 993 students in Gates 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 Gates County Schools have an average math proficiency score of 46% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 49% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
5 Schools
2,170 Schools
# Students
1,448 Students
1,090,293 Students
# Teachers
109 Teachers
73,854 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Gates County Schools, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 320 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%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.55
0.72
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
n/a
4%
% Hispanic
4%
21%
% Black
27%
25%
% White
61%
43%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
8%
6%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $14,743 is higher than the state median of $11,192. The school district revenue/student has grown by 15% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,706 is higher than the state median of $11,617. The school district spending/student has grown by 15% 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
$14,743
$11,192
Spending / Student
$14,706
$11,617

Best Gates County Schools Public Elementary 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 | 243 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #22.
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 | 161 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #33.
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 | 347 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #44.
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 | 242 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 40%

Recent Articles

Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Year-Round Schooling in 2026: Updated Parent Guide
Explore the latest 2026 data, trends, costs, and parent planning tips in the ongoing debate over year-round schooling vs the traditional calendar.
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
No Child Left Behind: Past, Present, and Future of U.S. School Policy
Explore how No Child Left Behind evolved into ESSA, what it means for 2025‑26 schooling, and what parents need to know about testing, admissions planning, and funding.
Understanding Public School Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Understanding Public School Fees & Optional Costs Guide
Discover what public school fees are required versus optional, with 2026 updates for parents, students, and educators on budgeting and planning.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 5 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 1,448 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
  • 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

Quick Links