Photo: Bernardgeorgeh · CC BY-SA 4.0Gaston’s public schools score below 93% of South Carolina districts on tests and graduation
21% of students in Gaston’s public schools are proficient in math, below the South Carolina average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Gaston, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within South Carolina, not nationally.
From South 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.
Gaston’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 177 South Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Gaston’s, its schools beat 1%, lower than their 7% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 29% of tested students were proficient in reading and 21% in math, against 52% and 41% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
70% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,026 per student, against $15,090 across South Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school
From grade 3 the district’s path is Sandhills Elementary, then Sandhills Middle, then Swansea High. Enrollment is up 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
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 Gaston’s grade
D: better than 7% of South Carolina school districts. Both inputs trail the South 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 Gaston, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Gaston
Lexington Four Early Childhood Center
Grades PK–K · 495 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Swansea
Kindergarten in Gaston
Lexington Four Early Childhood Center
Grades PK–K · 495 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Swansea
1st grade in Gaston
Sandhills Primary
Grades 1–2 · 509 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Swansea
2nd grade in Gaston
Sandhills Primary
Grades 1–2 · 509 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Swansea
3rd grade in Gaston
Sandhills Elementary
Grades 3–4 · 491 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Swansea
4th grade in Gaston
Sandhills Elementary
Grades 3–4 · 491 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Swansea
5th grade in Gaston
Frances F. Mack Intermediate
Grades 5–6 · 515 students · 14:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Gaston
Frances F. Mack Intermediate
Grades 5–6 · 515 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Gaston
Sandhills Middle
Grades 7–8 · 495 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Gaston
Sandhills Middle
Grades 7–8 · 495 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Gaston · depends on your address
Swansea High
Grades 9–12 · 695 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Swansea
Swansea High Freshman Academy
Grades 9 · 274 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Swansea
10th grade in Gaston
Swansea High
Grades 9–12 · 695 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Swansea
Gaston’s public schools are run by Lexington School District 4, which also serves Swansea. 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.
Well below the state in reading
Gaston vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Carolina towns that share Gaston’s borders.
Every school in Gaston
5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with South Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Gaston’s schools
Are Gaston’s schools good?
On South Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Gaston children attend score below 93% of South Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 1%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Gaston in?
Lexington School District 4, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,474 students in 7 schools (2024–25).
Where do Gaston kids go to high school?
Swansea High in Swansea, with 695 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is Gaston’s graduation rate?
70% of the class of 2023 in Lexington School District 4 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina.
How much does Gaston spend per student?
$15,026 in Lexington School District 4 (FY2024), against $15,090 across South Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Gaston families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Gaston → 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 South Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.