W A Bess Elementary School

4340 Beaty Road
Gastonia, NC 28056
(School attendance zone shown in map)
8/
10
Top 30%
Serving 622 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, W A Bess Elementary School ranks in the top 30% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 69% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 56% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 50%).
The student:teacher ratio of 17:1 is higher than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 56% (majority Black).

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-5
  • Enrollment: 622 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 17:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 41%
  • : Top 30% in NC
  • : 69% (Top 20%)
  • : 56% (Top 50%)
  • : 75-79% (Top 20%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

W A Bess Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

W A Bess Elementary School's student population of 622 students has grown by 8% over five school years.
The teacher population of 37 teachers has grown by 12% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-5
Total Students
622 students
This chart displays total students of W A Bess Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of W A Bess Elementary School
Total Classroom Teachers
37 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of W A Bess Elementary School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of W A Bess Elementary School by grade.

School Rankings

W A Bess Elementary School ranks within the top 30% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of W A Bess Elementary School is 0.60, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (NC)
#649 out of 2617 schools
(Top 30%)
This chart displays the overall school rank of W A Bess Elementary School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
69%
51%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of W A Bess Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
56%
50%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of W A Bess Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
75-79%
63%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of W A Bess Elementary School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of public schools in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
17:1
15:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of W A Bess Elementary School and the public school average student teacher ratio of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
American Indian
n/a
1%
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian students in W A Bess Elementary School and percentage of American Indian public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Asian
5%
4%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in W A Bess Elementary School and the percentage of Asian public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hispanic
14%
20%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in W A Bess Elementary School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
17%
25%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in W A Bess Elementary School and the percentage of Black public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
White
59%
44%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in W A Bess Elementary School and the percentage of White public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
5%
6%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in W A Bess Elementary School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in W A Bess Elementary School.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in North Carolina.
0.60
This chart displays the diversity score of W A Bess Elementary School and the public school average diversity score of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
42%
57%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in W A Bess Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
3%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in W A Bess Elementary School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is W A Bess Elementary School's ranking?
W A Bess Elementary School is ranked #649 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the top 30% of public schools in North Carolina.
What schools are W A Bess Elementary School often compared to?
W A Bess Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like New Hope Elementary School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
69% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while 56% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).
How many students attend W A Bess Elementary School?
622 students attend W A Bess Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
59% of W A Bess Elementary School students are White, 17% of students are Black, 14% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Asian, and 5% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of W A Bess Elementary School?
W A Bess Elementary School has a student ration of 17:1, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.
What grades does W A Bess Elementary School offer ?
W A Bess Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-5
What school district is W A Bess Elementary School part of?
W A Bess Elementary School is part of Gaston County Schools School District.

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-5
  • Enrollment: 622 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 17:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 41%
  • : Top 30%
  • : 69% (Top 20%)
  • : 56% (Top 50%)
  • : 75-79% (Top 20%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

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