For the 2025 school year, there are 49 public elementary schools serving 25,689 students in Gaston County, NC.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Gaston County, NC are Hawks Nest Steam Academy, Cramerton Middle School and Mountain Island Charter School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Gaston County, NC public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 49% (versus the North Carolina public elementary school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 49% statewide average). Elementary schools in Gaston County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary school average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Gaston County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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
Gr: K-5 | 351 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #22.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 919 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #33.
Mountain Island Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
13440 Lucia Riverbend Highway
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 827-8840
Mount Holly, NC 28120
(704) 827-8840
Gr: K-12 | 1,746 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #44.
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
Gr: 2-5 | 687 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #55.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 334 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #66.
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
Gr: PK-3 | 389 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #77.
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
Gr: K-5 | 541 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #88.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 641 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #99.
Piedmont Community Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2596 Robinwood Road
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 853-2428
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 853-2428
Gr: K-12 | 1,940 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1010.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 765 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1111.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1212.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 510 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1313.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 606 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1414.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 253 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1515.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 552 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1616.
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
Gr: 4-5 | 189 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1717.
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
Gr: K-5 | 373 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1818.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1919.
Community Public Charter
Charter School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
185 Mariposa Road
Stanley, NC 28164
(704) 931-4418
Stanley, NC 28164
(704) 931-4418
Gr: K-9 | 755 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #2020.
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
Gr: K-5 | 174 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #2121.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 395 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #2222.
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
Gr: 6-8 | 612 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #2323.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 434 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #2424.
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
Gr: K-12 | 323 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #2525.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 334 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #2626.
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
Gr: 3-5 | 336 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #2727.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 617 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #2828.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #2929.
Holbrook Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
418 S Church Street
Lowell, NC 28098
(704) 836-9607
Lowell, NC 28098
(704) 836-9607
Gr: 6-8 | 786 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #3030.
Brookside Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1925 Auten Rd.
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6283
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6283
Gr: PK-5 | 506 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #3131.
Pleasant Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1260 Floyd Lane
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6096
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6096
Gr: PK-5 | 882 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #3232.
Gardner Park Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
738 Armstrong Park Road
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6082
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6082
Gr: PK-5 | 549 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #3333.
Southwest Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1 Roadrunner Drive
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6290
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6290
Gr: 6-8 | 809 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #3434.
Edward D Sadler Jr Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3950 West Franklin Boulevard
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 862-5895
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 862-5895
Gr: PK-5 | 360 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #3535.
Bessemer City Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
525 Ed Wilson Road
Bessemer City, NC 28016
(704) 836-9602
Bessemer City, NC 28016
(704) 836-9602
Gr: 6-8 | 502 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Show 14 more public schools in Gaston County, NC (out of 49 total schools)
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Gaston County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
1621 N Webb Street
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6073
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6073
Gr: PK-5 | 364 students Minority enrollment: 64%
1 Learning Place
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6079
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6079
Gr: PK-5 | 410 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
Gaston College-east Campus 722
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 866-6100
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 866-6100
3430 Robinwood Rd
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-8467
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-8467
Gr: 4-5 | 172 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
Highland Charter (Closed 2013)
Charter School
324 North Highland Stree
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 852-7047
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 852-7047
Gr: K-5 | 114 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
135 Camp Sertoma Rd
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-7832
Dallas, NC 28034
(704) 922-7832
Gr: 6-12
1900 W Davidson Avenue
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6098
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6098
Gr: PK-5 | 478 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Gaston County, NC?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Gaston County, NC include Hawks Nest Steam Academy, Cramerton Middle School and Mountain Island Charter School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Gaston County?
49 public elementary schools are located in Gaston County.
What is the racial composition of students in Gaston County?
Gaston County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the North Carolina public elementary schools average of 57% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Gaston County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Gaston County include: Bessemer City Central Elementary School vs. Bessemer City Primary, Bessemer City Primary vs. Bessemer City Central Elementary School, Mount Holly Middle School vs. Stanley Middle School
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