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
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 88% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#181 out of 325 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
49%
51%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
50%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
61%
63%
Graduation Rate
85%
86%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.68
0.71
# American Indian Students
67 Students
16,971 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
522 Students
65,132 Students
% Asian Students
2%
4%
# Hispanic Students
6,244 Students
326,941 Students
% Hispanic Students
20%
21%
# Black Students
7,475 Students
380,120 Students
% Black Students
25%
25%
# White Students
14,229 Students
665,292 Students
% White Students
47%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
32 Students
2,147 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
1,873 Students
92,182 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
6%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
316
23,648
# Students in K Grade:
2,176
110,403
# Students in 1st Grade:
2,184
114,331
# Students in 2nd Grade:
2,370
118,121
# Students in 3rd Grade:
2,145
111,941
# Students in 4th Grade:
2,095
114,493
# Students in 5th Grade:
2,247
115,565
# Students in 6th Grade:
2,315
116,023
# Students in 7th Grade:
2,374
116,793
# Students in 8th Grade:
2,399
119,029
# Students in 9th Grade:
2,814
137,977
# Students in 10th Grade:
2,493
126,349
# Students in 11th Grade:
2,369
117,582
# Students in 12th Grade:
2,106
104,759
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
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.
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)
(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.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #1515.
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: #1616.
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: #1717.
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: #1818.
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: #1919.
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: #2020.
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: #2121.
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: #2222.
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: #2323.
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: #2424.
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: #2525.
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: #2626.
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: #2727.
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: #2828.
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: #2929.
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: #3030.
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: #3131.
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: #3232.
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
Rank: #3333.
Kiser Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
311 E College Street
Stanley, NC 28164
(704) 836-9105
Stanley, NC 28164
(704) 836-9105
Grades: 3-5
| 336 students
Rank: #3434.
Carr Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
307 S Pine St
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-3636
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-3636
Grades: PK-5
| 617 students
Rank: #3535.
Chapel Grove Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5201 Lewis Road
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 836-9113
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 836-9113
Grades: PK-5
| 391 students
Show 23 more public schools in Gaston County Schools School District (out of 58 total schools)
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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.
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