Photo: GastoniaHappening Jim Bob Willy · CC BY-SA 4.0Gastonia’s public schools score below 55% of North Carolina districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Gastonia, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.
From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Gastonia’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 46% of tested students were proficient in reading and 49% in math, against 50% and 51% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
85% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $11,848 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Nine elementary schools, then three middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Piedmont Community Charter School, Gaston Day School (private), First Wesleyan Christian School (private), Victory Christian Academy (private) and St. Michael Catholic School (private) are in town. Gaston Virtual Academy, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Gastonia’s grade
B−: better than 45% of North Carolina school districts, #178 of 290 North Carolina towns. Both inputs trail the North Carolina average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Gastonia, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Gastonia · depends on your address
Southwest Middle
Grades 6–8 · 832 students · 15:1 students per teacher
W P Grier Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 659 students · 16:1 students per teacher
York Chester Middle
Grades 6–8 · 398 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Gastonia · depends on your address
Southwest Middle
Grades 6–8 · 832 students · 15:1 students per teacher
W P Grier Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 659 students · 16:1 students per teacher
York Chester Middle
Grades 6–8 · 398 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Gastonia · depends on your address
Southwest Middle
Grades 6–8 · 832 students · 15:1 students per teacher
W P Grier Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 659 students · 16:1 students per teacher
York Chester Middle
Grades 6–8 · 398 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Gastonia · depends on your address
Ashbrook High
Grades 9–12 · 1,386 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Hunter Huss High
Grades 9–12 · 1,165 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Highland Sch of Technology
Grades 9–12 · 538 students · 14:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Gastonia · depends on your address
Ashbrook High
Grades 9–12 · 1,386 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Hunter Huss High
Grades 9–12 · 1,165 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Highland Sch of Technology
Grades 9–12 · 538 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Gastonia’s public schools are run by Gaston County Schools, which also serves Belmont, Bessemer City, Cherryville and Cramerton and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Gastonia vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Gastonia’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Gastonia | B− | Gaston County Schools |
| Bessemer City | B− | Gaston County Schools |
| Kings Mountain | B− | Cleveland County Schools |
| Lowell | B− | Gaston County Schools |
| Dallas | B− | Gaston County Schools |
| Cramerton | B− | Gaston County Schools |
| Ranlo | B− | Gaston County Schools |
5 of the 6 neighbors share Gaston County Schools with Gastonia, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Gastonia
22 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Gastonia’s schools
Are Gastonia’s schools good?
On North Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Gastonia children attend score below 55% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #178 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 42%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Gastonia in?
Gaston County Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 30,995 students in 56 schools (2024–25).
Where do Gastonia kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Ashbrook High, Hunter Huss High and Highland Sch of Technology.
What is Gastonia’s graduation rate?
85% of the class of 2023 in Gaston County Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Gastonia spend per student?
$11,848 in Gaston County Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Gastonia?
Yes: Gaston Day School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 448 students), First Wesleyan Christian School (religious, grades PK–6, 257 students), Victory Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 175 students) and St. Michael Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 156 students). Gastonia also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Gastonia families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Gastonia → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.