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¶¶Òô³ÉÈË - Established 2003

Gaston High School vs. Southside High School

Should you attend Gaston High School or Southside High School? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.

School Overview

School
Gaston High School
4550 Us Highway 411
Gadsden, AL 35901
: 
4/
10
Bottom 50%
Southside High School
2361 School Drive
Gadsden, AL 35907
: 
5/
10
Bottom 50%
Top Rankings
n/a

Southside High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:

Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
Overview
Gaston High School ranked #888 in Alabama in 2023, declining from #779 in 2022, placing it in the bottom 50% statewide among Union County NJ high schools.
Math proficiency was 69%, higher than the state average of 30%, while reading proficiency was 40–44%, lower than the state average of 47%; science proficiency ranged from 20–24%, lower than the state average of 38%.
Enrollment decreased from 563 students in 2017 to 362 students in 2023, and the percentage of students eligible for free lunch increased from 42% in 2007 to 70% in 2023, indicating a rise in socioeconomic need.
The school served grades 7–12 with an enrollment of 362 students and a student–teacher ratio of 18:1 in 2023, consistent with a suburban New Jersey high school setting.
Gaston High School's graduation rate consistently met or exceeded the state average, reaching 90% in 2023 compared to the state's 88%.
Southside High School in Gadsden, AL, ranked #654 in Alabama in 2023, showing a decline from #577 in 2022 and #416 in 2019, indicating weaker overall ranking performance over recent years.
Math proficiency ranged from 25% to 29% in 2023, lower than the state average of 30%, while reading proficiency was 35% to 39%, also lower than the state average of 47%; science proficiency was 40% to 44%, higher than the state average of 38% in 2022.
Enrollment declined from 846 students in 2017 to 770 in 2023, and the percentage of students eligible for free lunch increased to 36% in 2023 from 16% in 2017, reflecting socioeconomic shifts in this Union County NJ high school.
Southside High School served grades 9–12 with 818 students and 43 teachers in 2023, maintaining a student–teacher ratio of 19:1, slightly above the previous years' ratios.
The school's graduation rate consistently exceeded the state average, reaching 95% in 2023 compared to Alabama's 88%, ranking in the top 5% statewide.
Grades Offered
7-12
9-12
Total Students
362 students
818 students
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Gaston High School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Southside High School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
% Male | % Female
51% | 49%
53% | 47%
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Gaston High School.
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Southside High School.
Total Classroom Teachers
20 teachers
43 teachers
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Gaston High School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Southside High School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
19:1
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Gaston High School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Etowah County School District and the state of Alabama, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Southside High School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Etowah County School District and the state of Alabama, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Test Scores

#888 out of 1275 schools in AL
(Bottom 50%)
#654 out of 1275 schools in AL
(Bottom 50%)
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Gaston High School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Southside High School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
6-9%
(Bottom 50% in AL)
25-29%
(Top 50% in AL)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Gaston High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Etowah County School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Southside High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Etowah County School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
40-44%
(Top 50% in AL)(21-22 School Year Data)
35-39%
(Bottom 50% in AL)(21-22 School Year Data)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Gaston High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Etowah County School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Southside High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Etowah County School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
20-24%
(Bottom 50% in AL)(21-22 School Year Data)
40-44%
(Top 50% in AL)(21-22 School Year Data)
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Gaston High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Science with the average percentages observed in the Etowah County School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Southside High School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Science with the average percentages observed in the Etowah County School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
≥90%
(Top 50% in AL)
≥95%
(Top 5% in AL)
This chart presents a comparison of the graduation rate of Gaston High School with the average graduation rate observed in the Etowah County School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the graduation rate of Southside High School with the average graduation rate observed in the Etowah County School District and Alabama public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.

Students by Grade

Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Gaston High School by grade.
This chart displays the students of Southside High School by grade.
Grade 7 Students
57
-
Grade 8 Students
68
-
Grade 9 Students
57
212
Grade 10 Students
58
195
Grade 11 Students
72
213
Grade 12 Students
50
198

Students by Ethnicity

% American Indian
1%
1%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Gaston High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Etowah County School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2020-21 school year.
n/a
% Asian
n/a
3%
n/a
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Southside High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Etowah County School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Hispanic
5%
5%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Gaston High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Etowah County School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Southside High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Etowah County School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Black
7%
5%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Gaston High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Etowah County School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Southside High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Etowah County School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% White
81%
83%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Gaston High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Etowah County School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Southside High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Etowah County School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
3%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Gaston High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Etowah County School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Southside High School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Etowah County School District and in Alabama, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2022-23 school year.
0.34
0.31
This chart showcases the diversity score of Gaston High School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Etowah County School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the diversity score of Southside High School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Etowah County School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.

Additional Information

Eligible for Free Lunch
70%
36%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Gaston High School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Etowah County School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Southside High School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Etowah County School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
6%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Gaston High School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Etowah County School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Southside High School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Etowah County School District and Alabama, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
 
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