Best Schools in Dallas, North Carolina
7 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High
Choosing a school in Dallas?
Use this page to compare every school in Dallas by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Gaston Early College High School
High · Gaston County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Carr Elementary
Elementary · Gaston County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences
High · Gaston County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Dallas for 2026 are Gaston Early College High School (8.4/10), Carr Elementary (6.8/10), and Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences (6.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$221,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$221,000
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Dallas
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gaston Early College High School | 8.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Carr Elementary | 6.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences | 6.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Costner Elementary | 5.2 / 10 |
| 5 | W C Friday Middle School | 4.6 / 10 |
| 6 | North Gaston High | 3.7 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.8/10
- Median household income
- $59,969
- Median home value
- $221,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 16%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 73%
17% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Dallas compares
North Carolina rank
#176 of 253
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.5
below North Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$60k
88% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Dallas, North Carolina
Dallas, North Carolina is home to 7 schools, including 6 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.8 out of 10, schools in Dallas show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Dallas is Gaston Early College High School with a composite score of 8.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Dallas is served by 1 school district: Gaston County Schools. These districts collectively serve 30,253 students.
Dallas's community shows 16% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $59,969. The poverty rate in the area is 10.9%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 617 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.8 | ||
| 2 | 453 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.2 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Assembly of Faith Chr. School
Private
7 students · Kindergarten–5th | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 612 students · 6th–8th | 4.6 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 234 students · 9th–UG | 8.4 |
| 2 | 155 students · 9th–12th | 6.0 |
| 3 | 1,083 students · 9th–12th | 3.7 |
Schools in Dallas
Dallas, North Carolina · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$59,969
Median Home Value
$221,000
Median Rent
$841/mo
Population
19,470
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
73%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
10.9%
Community Profile
Dallas has a median household income of $59,969. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $221,000, with a median rent of $841/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Dallas, North Carolina
How many schools are in Dallas, North Carolina?
Dallas has 7 schools, including 6 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Dallas, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Dallas is 5.8 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Dallas, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Dallas on MySchoolScout is Gaston Early College High School with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Dallas, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Dallas on MySchoolScout is Carr Elementary with a composite score of 6.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Dallas, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Dallas on MySchoolScout is W C Friday Middle School with a composite score of 4.6/10.
What is the best high school in Dallas, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Dallas on MySchoolScout is Gaston Early College High School with a composite score of 8.4/10.
How many school districts serve Dallas, North Carolina?
Dallas is served by 1 school district: Gaston County Schools.
What is the education level in Dallas, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 16% of adults in Dallas have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Dallas, North Carolina?
The median household income in Dallas is approximately $59,969 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Dallas, North Carolina?
Yes, Dallas has 1 private school alongside 6 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Dallas, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Dallas is 16.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Dallas, North Carolina?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Public Schools in Texas 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best Schools in Dallas, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Understanding School Ratings: A Parent's Guide to Using Data for School Choice Decisionsguides
- Best Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Charlotte, NC — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.