For the 2025 school year, there are 63 public schools serving 35,144 students in Gaston County, NC (there are 15 private schools, serving 3,148 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Gaston County, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Gaston County, NC are Highland Sch Of Technology, Gaston Early College High School and South Point High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Gaston County, NC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 51% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in Gaston County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Gaston County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Highland Sch Of Technology
Magnet School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1600 N Morris Street
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 810-8816
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 810-8816
Grades: 9-12
| 528 students
Rank: #22.
Gaston Early College High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
201 Hwy 321 South, Gaston Coll
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-2405
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-2405
Grades: 9-13
| 195 students
Rank: #33.
South Point High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
906 South Point Road
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9612
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9612
Grades: 9-12
| 983 students
Rank: #44.
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: #55.
Cramerton Middle School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
601 Cramer Mountain Road
Cramerton, NC 28032
(704) 836-9603
Cramerton, NC 28032
(704) 836-9603
Grades: 6-8
| 919 students
Rank: #66.
Mountain Island Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
13440 Lucia Riverbend Highway
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 827-8840
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 827-8840
Grades: K-12
| 1,746 students
Rank: #77.
Stuart W Cramer High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
101 Lakewood Rd
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 866-5700
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 866-5700
Grades: 9-12
| 956 students
Rank: #88.
Belmont Central Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
310 Eagle Road
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9137
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9137
Grades: 2-5
| 687 students
Rank: #99.
East Gaston High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1744 Lane Road
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9613
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9613
Grades: 9-12
| 908 students
Rank: #1010.
North Belmont Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
210 School Street
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9135
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9135
Grades: PK-5
| 334 students
Rank: #1111.
Cherryville Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
700 East Academy Street
Cherryville, NC 28021
(704) 836-9115
Cherryville, NC 28021
(704) 836-9115
Grades: PK-3
| 389 students
Rank: #1212.
Forestview High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5545 Union Road
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 861-2625
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 861-2625
Grades: 9-12
| 1,116 students
Rank: #1313.
New Hope Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
137 Stowe Road
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 836-9112
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 836-9112
Grades: K-5
| 541 students
Rank: #1414.
Cherryville High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
313 Ridge Avenue
Cherryville, NC 28021
(704) 836-9605
Cherryville, NC 28021
(704) 836-9605
Grades: 9-12
| 508 students
Rank: #1515.
W A Bess Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4340 Beaty Road
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 866-6075
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 866-6075
Grades: PK-5
| 641 students
Rank: #1616.
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: #1717.
Belmont Middle School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1020 South Point Road
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9611
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9611
Grades: 6-8
| 765 students
Rank: #1818.
Pinewood Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1925 N Main Street
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9138
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9138
Grades: PK-5
| 477 students
Rank: #1919.
Ida Rankin Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
301 W Central Avenue
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9136
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9136
Grades: PK-5
| 510 students
Rank: #2020.
Stanley Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
317 Hovis Road
Stanley, NC 28164
(704) 836-9600
Stanley, NC 28164
(704) 836-9600
Grades: 6-8
| 606 students
Rank: #2121.
North Gaston High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1133 Ratchford Road
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-5285
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-5285
Grades: 9-12
| 1,083 students
Rank: #2222.
Catawba Heights Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
101 Ivey Street
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9119
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 836-9119
Grades: PK-5
| 253 students
Rank: #2323.
Mount Holly Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
124 S Hawthorne Street
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9610
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 836-9610
Grades: 6-8
| 552 students
Rank: #2424.
W B Beam Intermediate School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
401 East First Street
Cherryville, NC 28021
(704) 836-9114
Cherryville, NC 28021
(704) 836-9114
Grades: 4-5
| 189 students
Rank: #2525.
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: #2626.
Lowell Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1500 Power Drive
Lowell, NC 28098
(704) 836-9118
Lowell, NC 28098
(704) 836-9118
Grades: K-5
| 373 students
Rank: #2727.
Costner Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
353 Old 277 Loop Hwy
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-3522
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-3522
Grades: PK-5
| 453 students
Rank: #2828.
Community Public Charter
Charter School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
185 Mariposa Road
Stanley, NC 28164
(704) 931-4418
Stanley, NC 28164
(704) 931-4418
Grades: K-9
| 755 students
Rank: #2929.
Mcadenville Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
275 E Wesleyan Drive
Mc Adenville, NC 28101
(704) 836-9117
Mc Adenville, NC 28101
(704) 836-9117
Grades: K-5
| 174 students
Rank: #3030.
John Chavis Middle School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
103 South Chavis Drive
Cherryville, NC 28021
(704) 836-9606
Cherryville, NC 28021
(704) 836-9606
Grades: 6-8
| 395 students
Rank: #3131.
W C Friday Middle School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1221 Ratchford Drive
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-5297
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-5297
Grades: 6-8
| 612 students
Rank: #3232.
Bessemer City High School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
119 Yellow Jacket Lane
Bessemer City, NC 28016
(704) 836-9601
Bessemer City, NC 28016
(704) 836-9601
Grades: 9-12
| 548 students
Rank: #3333.
Robinson Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3122 S Union Road
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 866-6607
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 866-6607
Grades: PK-5
| 434 students
Rank: #3434.
Gaston Virtual Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1 Learning Place
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 836-9125
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 836-9125
Grades: K-12
| 323 students
Rank: #3535.
Tryon Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2620 Tryon Courthouse Road
Bessemer City, NC 28016
(704) 836-9107
Bessemer City, NC 28016
(704) 836-9107
Grades: PK-5
| 334 students
Show 28 more public schools in Gaston County, NC (out of 63 total schools)
Loading...
Gaston County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
1621 N Webb Street
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6073
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6073
Grades: PK-5
| 364 students
1 Learning Place
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6079
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6079
Grades: PK-5
| 410 students
Gaston College-east Campus 722
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 866-6100
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 866-6100
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
3430 Robinwood Rd
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-8467
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-8467
Grades: 4-5
| 172 students
Highland Charter (Closed 2013)
Charter School
324 North Highland Stree
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 852-7047
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 852-7047
Grades: K-5
| 114 students
135 Camp Sertoma Rd
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-7832
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-7832
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
1900 W Davidson Avenue
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6098
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6098
Grades: PK-5
| 478 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Gaston County, NC?
The top ranked public schools in Gaston County, NC include Highland Sch Of Technology, Gaston Early College High School and South Point High School.
How many public schools are located in Gaston County?
63 public schools are located in Gaston County.
What percentage of students in Gaston County go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Gaston County are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Gaston County?
Gaston County public schools minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Gaston County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Gaston County include: Hunter Huss High School vs. Ashbrook High School, Bessemer City Central Elementary School vs. Bessemer City Primary, Gaston Early College High School vs. Highland Sch Of Technology
Recent Articles
What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.
