Serving 659 students in grades 6-8, W P Grier Middle School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 24% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 28% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student-teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 90% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 6-8
- Enrollment: 659 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
- Minority Enrollment: 90%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in NC
- Math Proficiency: 24% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 28% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 54% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: W P Grier Middle School serves the southeast part of Gastonia, NC, covering an area of approximately 11.4 square miles. Families can typically drive to the school within 5-10 minutes, with the furthest edge of the attendance zone being about 3.3 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
School Overview
W P Grier Middle School's student population of 659 students has declined by 8% over five school years.
The teacher population of 42 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 6-8
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
659 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
42 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1965
School Calendar
School Rankings
W P Grier Middle School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of W P Grier Middle School is 0.63, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#2383 out of 2617 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(21-22)24%
51%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
28%
50%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
54%
63%
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
1%
5%
Showing 2013–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
29%
22%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Black
53%
24%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
White
10%
42%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
7%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)36.1%
28.7%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
72%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (13-14)
8%
7%
Showing 2003–2014. Full 16-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Green, Gold
School Mascot
Knights
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is W P Grier Middle School's ranking?
W P Grier Middle School is ranked #2383 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in North Carolina.
What schools are W P Grier Middle School often compared to?
W P Grier Middle Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Southwest Middle School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
24% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while 28% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).
How many students attend W P Grier Middle School?
659 students attend W P Grier Middle School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
53% of W P Grier Middle School students are Black, 29% of students are Hispanic, 10% of students are White, 7% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of W P Grier Middle School?
W P Grier Middle School has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What grades does W P Grier Middle School offer ?
W P Grier Middle School offers enrollment in grades 6-8 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is W P Grier Middle School part of?
W P Grier Middle School is part of Gaston County Schools.
School Reviews
Review W P Grier Middle School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?
Learn how graduation requirements, prerequisites, electives, staffing, scheduling conflicts, AP courses, dual enrollment, and career pathways determine how much control high school students have over schedules each year.
Does Your Child Need More Recess?
Explore whether your child may benefit more from recess than another academic period, including research on attention, learning, physical activity, stress, social development, and school-day balance today.
Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know
Learn how combined-grade classrooms work, why public schools use them, potential benefits and challenges, and the questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in one today.
