For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public high schools serving 6,696 students in Gastonia, NC.
The top-ranked public high schools in Gastonia, NC are Highland Sch Of Technology, Forestview High School and Piedmont Community Charter School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Gastonia, NC public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 55% (versus the North Carolina public high school average of 58%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 58% statewide average). High schools in Gastonia have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public high schools.
Gastonia, NC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 85%, which is less than the North Carolina average of 86%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Highland Sch Of Technology, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in North Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public high school average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Gastonia, NC (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Highland Sch Of Technology
Magnet School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1600 N Morris Street
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 810-8816
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 810-8816
Gr: 9-12 | 528 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #22.
Forestview High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5545 Union Road
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 861-2625
Gastonia, NC 28056
(704) 861-2625
Gr: 9-12 | 1,116 student Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #33.
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: #44.
Ashbrook High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2222 S New Hope Road
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6600
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-6600
Gr: 9-12 | 1,341 student Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #55.
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: #66.
Hunter Huss High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1518 Edgefield Avenue
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6610
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6610
Gr: 9-12 | 1,134 student Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #77.
Webb Street School
Special Education School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1623 N Webb Street
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 864-9667
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 864-9667
Gr: PK-12 | 161 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #88.
Warlick Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1316 Spencer Mountain Road
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 836-9608
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 836-9608
Gr: 6-12 | 153 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Gastonia, North Carolina 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
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%
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 high schools in Gastonia, NC?
The top-ranked public high schools in Gastonia, NC include Highland Sch Of Technology, Forestview High School and Piedmont Community Charter School.
How many public high schools are located in Gastonia?
9 public high schools are located in Gastonia.
What is the racial composition of students in Gastonia?
Gastonia public high schools minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public high schools average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Gastonia are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Gastonia include: Hunter Huss High School vs. Ashbrook High School, Ashbrook High School vs. Hunter Huss High School, Forestview High School vs. Ashbrook High School
Recent Articles
Multilingual Learner Growth Models & Accountability
Learn how multilingual learner growth models are reshaping school accountability systems and what it means for public schools in 2026.
School-Based Health Clinics: Funding, Billing, and Student Access
Learn how school-based health clinics are funded, how billing works, and how students access care in public schools.
Outdoor Learning in Urban Schools: Forest School Programs
Explore how urban districts adopt outdoor learning and forest school programs to boost student engagement, well-being, and academic success.