For the 2025 school year, there are 8 public schools serving 5,918 students in 28054, NC (there are , serving 394 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in 28054, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in 28054, NC are Hawks Nest Steam Academy, Piedmont Community Charter School and Ashbrook High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Public schools in zipcode 28054 have an average math proficiency score of 46% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in 28054, NC have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best 28054, NC Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Hawks Nest Steam Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3430 Robinwood Rd
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-8467
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-8467
Grades: K-5
| 351 students
Rank: #22.
Piedmont Community Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2596 Robinwood Road
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 853-2428
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 853-2428
Grades: K-12
| 1,940 students
Rank: #33.
Ashbrook High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2222 S New Hope Road
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6600
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6600
Grades: 9-12
| 1,341 students
Rank: #44.
Brookside Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1925 Auten Rd.
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6283
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6283
Grades: PK-5
| 506 students
Rank: #55.
Gardner Park Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
738 Armstrong Park Road
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6082
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6082
Grades: PK-5
| 549 students
Rank: #66.
Sherwood Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1744 Dixon Road
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6609
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6609
Grades: PK-5
| 491 students
Rank: #77.
W P Grier Middle School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1622 E Garrison Boulevard
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 836-9604
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 836-9604
Grades: 6-8
| 587 students
Rank: #88.
Warlick Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1316 Spencer Mountain Road
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 836-9608
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 836-9608
Grades: 6-12
| 153 students
28054, North Carolina Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
3430 Robinwood Rd
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-8467
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-8467
Grades: 4-5
| 172 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in 28054, NC?
The top ranked public schools in 28054, NC include Hawks Nest Steam Academy, Piedmont Community Charter School and Ashbrook High School.
How many public schools are located in 28054?
8 public schools are located in 28054.
What percentage of students in 28054 go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in 28054 are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in 28054?
28054 public schools minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.