Mahadev Maitri Foundation
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Gaston County Schools

North Carolina · Public School District
56
Schools
30,281
Students
$11,856
Per-Pupil Spend
-17% nat'l
68.8%
Free Lunch Rate
+17pp vs nat'l
85.5%
Graduation Rate
≈ nat'l avg
District Overview

Gaston County Schools is a public school district in North Carolina serving 30,281 students across 56 schools. It includes 30 elementary, 11 middle, 13 high schools. Its graduation rate of 85.5% is near the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $11,856 is below the national average for a US public school district. 69% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting significant economic need in the community. Opportunity scores across its schools are limited, with a district median of 37/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (56)
Elementary Schools30 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Belmont Central Elementary02–05689
Bessemer City Central Elem03–05407
Bessemer City PrimaryPK–02445
Brookside ElementaryPK–05502
Carr ElementaryPK–05633
Catawba Heights ElementaryPK–05259
Chapel Grove ElementaryPK–05357
Cherryville ElementaryPK–03383
Costner ElementaryPK–05485
Edward D Sadler Jr Elementary SchoolPK–05321
Gardner Park ElementaryPK–05521
H H Beam ElementaryPK–05510
Hawks Nest STEAM AcademyKG–05347
Ida Rankin Elementary SchoolPK–05507
J B Page Primary SchoolPK–01339
Kiser Elementary03–05329
Lingerfeldt ElementaryPK–05408
Lowell ElementaryKG–05409
McAdenville ElementaryKG–05180
New Hope ElementaryKG–05520
North Belmont ElementaryPK–05327
Pinewood ElementaryPK–05485
Pleasant Ridge ElementaryPK–05866
Robinson ElementaryPK–05419
Sherwood ElementaryPK–05514
Springfield PrimaryPK–02336
Tryon ElementaryPK–05338
W A Bess Elementary SchoolPK–05622
W B Beam Intermediate School04–05203
Woodhill ElementaryPK–05462
Middle Schools11 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Belmont Middle06–08742
Bessemer City Middle06–08500
Cramerton Middle06–08909
Holbrook Middle06–08777
John Chavis Middle School06–08413
Mount Holly Middle06–08557
Southwest Middle06–08804
Stanley Middle06–08670
W C Friday Middle School06–08605
W P Grier Middle School06–08610
York Chester Middle06–08431
High Schools13 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Ashbrook High09–121,303
Bessemer City High09–12566
Cherryville High09–12492
East Gaston High09–12883
Forestview High09–121,081
Gaston Early College High School09–13230
Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences09–12113
Highland Sch of Technology09–12514
Hunter Huss High09–121,120
North Gaston High09–121,134
South Point High09–12955
Stuart W Cramer High09–12964
Warlick Academy06–12175
Other Schools2 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Gaston Virtual AcademyKG–12462
Webb Street SchoolPK–12148
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$11,856-17% nat'l avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
64%
16%
State
64.3%
Local (property tax)
16.3%
Federal
19.4%

State funding accounts for 64% of the budget — this district relies more on state aid than local tax revenue.

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
56
Schools
30,281
Students
69%
Free Lunch
$12K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate85.5%
Opportunity Score37/100
StateNorth Carolina →
School Rankings
Strengths & Considerations
Range of school options
With 56 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
Below-average per-pupil spending
At $11,856, spending is 17% below the national average — which can limit staffing and resources.
High economic need in community
69% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch — above the national rate of 52.2% — reflecting broader economic challenges.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Gaston County Schools?
Gaston County Schools has 56 public schools, serving a total of 30,281 students.
What is the graduation rate for Gaston County Schools?
The graduation rate is 85.5%, which is below the national average of 86.5%.
How much does Gaston County Schools spend per student?
Gaston County Schools spends $11,856 per pupil — 17% below the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in Gaston County Schools?
69% of students in Gaston County Schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in Gaston County Schools?
No, Gaston County Schools does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does Gaston County Schools serve?
Gaston County Schools serves grades PK through 13, covering elementary level.
What is the opportunity score for Gaston County Schools?
The median opportunity score across schools in Gaston County Schools is 37/100. The national median is 50/100. Opportunity scores reflect long-term economic mobility prospects for children who grow up in these communities.
About This Data

All figures on this page come directly from US federal open datasets — NCES Common Core of Data, EDFacts, and the Opportunity Atlas — and we work hard to keep them accurate and up to date. That said, federal data is published on an annual cycle, so some figures may not yet reflect the very latest school-year changes or local updates. We recommend using this page as a helpful starting point and cross-checking with the school or district directly, or visiting the NCES Common Core of Data and ed.gov for the most authoritative figures before making any important decisions.