¶¶Òô³ÉÈË

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 2025 school year, there are 58 public schools serving 30,403 students in Gaston County Schools School District. This district's average testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in North Carolina.
Public Schools in Gaston County Schools School District have an average math proficiency score of 49% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 50% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (NC)
# Schools
58 Schools
2,764 Schools
# Students
30,403 Students
1,547,014 Students
# Teachers
1,816 Teachers
100,085 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
17:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Gaston County Schools School District, 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 85% has decreased from 86% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (NC)
#181 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(21-22)
49%
51%
46%
50%
61%
63%
(21-22)
85%
86%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.68
0.71
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
2%
4%
% Hispanic
20%
21%
% Black
25%
25%
% White
47%
43%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
6%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $10,299 in this school district is less than the state median of $11,187. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,900 is less than the state median of $11,612. 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
Spending
$331 MM
$17,964 MM
Revenue / Student
$10,299
$11,187
Spending / Student
$10,900
$11,612

Best Gaston County Schools School District Public Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Highland Sch Of Technology
Magnet School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
1600 N Morris Street
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 810-8816
Gr: 9-12 | 528 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #22.
Gaston Early College High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
201 Hwy 321 South, Gaston Coll
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-2405
Gr: 9-13 | 195 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #33.
South Point High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
906 South Point Road
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9612
Gr: 9-12 | 983 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #44.
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
Gr: K-5 | 351 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #55.
Cramerton Middle School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
601 Cramer Mountain Road
Cramerton, NC 28032
(704) 836-9603
Gr: 6-8 | 919 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #66.
Stuart W Cramer High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
101 Lakewood Rd
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 866-5700
Gr: 9-12 | 956 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #77.
Belmont Central Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
310 Eagle Road
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9137
Gr: 2-5 | 687 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #88.
East Gaston High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1744 Lane Road
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9613
Gr: 9-12 | 908 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #99.
North Belmont Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
210 School Street
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9135
Gr: PK-5 | 334 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1010.
Cherryville Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
700 East Academy Street
Cherryville, NC 28021
(704) 836-9115
Gr: PK-3 | 389 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1111.
Forestview High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
5545 Union Road
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 861-2625
Gr: 9-12 | 1,116 student Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1212.
New Hope Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
137 Stowe Road
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 836-9112
Gr: K-5 | 541 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1313.
Cherryville High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
313 Ridge Avenue
Cherryville, NC 28021
(704) 836-9605
Gr: 9-12 | 508 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1414.
W A Bess Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4340 Beaty Road
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 866-6075
Gr: PK-5 | 641 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1515.
Belmont Middle School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1020 South Point Road
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9611
Gr: 6-8 | 765 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1616.
Pinewood Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1925 N Main Street
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9138
Gr: PK-5 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1717.
Ida Rankin Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
301 W Central Avenue
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9136
Gr: PK-5 | 510 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1818.
Stanley Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
317 Hovis Road
Stanley, NC 28164
(704) 836-9600
Gr: 6-8 | 606 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1919.
North Gaston High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1133 Ratchford Road
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-5285
Gr: 9-12 | 1,083 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #2020.
Catawba Heights Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
101 Ivey Street
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9119
Gr: PK-5 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #2121.
Mount Holly Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
124 S Hawthorne Street
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9610
Gr: 6-8 | 552 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #2222.
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
Gr: 4-5 | 189 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #2323.
Ashbrook High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2222 S New Hope Road
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6600
Gr: 9-12 | 1,341 student Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #2424.
Lowell Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1500 Power Drive
Lowell, NC 28098
(704) 836-9118
Gr: K-5 | 373 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #2525.
Costner Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
353 Old 277 Loop Hwy
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-3522
Gr: PK-5 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2626.
Mcadenville Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
275 E Wesleyan Drive
Mc Adenville, NC 28101
(704) 836-9117
Gr: K-5 | 174 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #2727.
John Chavis Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
103 South Chavis Drive
Cherryville, NC 28021
(704) 836-9606
Gr: 6-8 | 395 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #2828.
W C Friday Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1221 Ratchford Drive
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-5297
Gr: 6-8 | 612 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #2929.
Bessemer City High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
119 Yellow Jacket Lane
Bessemer City, NC 28016
(704) 836-9601
Gr: 9-12 | 548 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #3030.
Robinson Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3122 S Union Road
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 866-6607
Gr: PK-5 | 434 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #3131.
Gaston Virtual Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1 Learning Place
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 836-9125
Gr: K-12 | 323 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #3232.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 334 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #3333.
Kiser Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
311 E College Street
Stanley, NC 28164
(704) 836-9105
Gr: 3-5 | 336 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #3434.
Carr Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
307 S Pine St
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-3636
Gr: PK-5 | 617 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #3535.
Chapel Grove Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
5201 Lewis Road
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 836-9113
Gr: PK-5 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Show 23 more public schools in Gaston County Schools School District (out of 58 total schools)
Loading...

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Gaston County Schools School District?
Gaston County Schools School District manages 58 public schools serving 30,403 students.
What is the rank of Gaston County Schools School District?
Gaston County Schools School District is ranked #186 out of 320 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: Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Gaston County Schools School District?
47% of Gaston County Schools School District students are White, 25% of students are Black, 20% of students are Hispanic, 6% of students are Two or more races, and 2% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Gaston County Schools School District?
Gaston County Schools School District has a student/teacher ratio of 17:1, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What is Gaston County Schools School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $10,900 is less than the state median of $11,612. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

Recent Articles

Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.

Quick Facts (2025)

  • District size: 58 schools
  • Grades: PK-13
  • Enrollment: 30,403 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 53%
  • : 85% (Top 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