Best Schools in Gaston, North Carolina
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Gaston?
Use this page to compare every school in Gaston 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.
Kipp Gaston College Preparatory
Other · Kipp Gaston College Preparatory. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Gaston Stem Leadership Academy
Elementary · Northampton County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Northampton County High School
High · Northampton County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Gaston for 2026 are Kipp Gaston College Preparatory (6.1/10), Gaston Stem Leadership Academy (5.7/10), and Northampton County High School (4.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
3
in this city
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$87,500
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$87,500
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +7.9 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Gaston schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Gaston
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 rated schools; 3 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kipp Gaston College Preparatory | 6.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Gaston Stem Leadership Academy | 5.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Northampton County High School | 4.7 / 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
- 5.5/10
- Median household income
- $47,096
- Median home value
- $87,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 13%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 68%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Gaston compares
North Carolina rank
#220 of 255
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.8
below North Carolina avg (6.3)
Median household income
$47k
69% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
3
Northampton County Schools runs 67% of Gaston's public schools
Gaston touches 2 districts, but Northampton County Schools is the one most addresses actually attend.
Northampton County Schools accounts for 2 of 3 public schools (67%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 1.
Among 3 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.7 to 6.1 — the spread is inside Gaston, not a citywide average.
- Northampton County Schools2 public · 67%
- Kipp Gaston College Preparatory1 public · 33%
About Schools in Gaston, North Carolina
Gaston, North Carolina is home to 3 schools, including 3 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, , and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.5 out of 10, schools in Gaston show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Gaston is Kipp Gaston College Preparatory with a composite score of 6.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Gaston is served by 2 school districts: KIPP Gaston College Preparatory, Northampton County Schools. These districts collectively serve 2,483 students.
Gaston's community shows 13% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $47,096. The poverty rate in the area is 21.6%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 294 students · Pre-K–8th | 5.7 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 257 students · 9th–12th | 4.7 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,183 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.1 |
Schools in Gaston
Gaston, North Carolina · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$47,096
Median Home Value
$87,500
Median Rent
$706/mo
Population
2,525
College Educated
13%
Homeownership
68%
Poverty Rate
21.6%
Community Profile
Gaston has a median household income of $47,096. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $87,500, with a median rent of $706/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
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 Gaston, North Carolina
How many schools are in Gaston, North Carolina?
Gaston has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Gaston, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Gaston is 5.5 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 Gaston, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Gaston on MySchoolScout is Kipp Gaston College Preparatory with a composite score of 6.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Gaston, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Gaston on MySchoolScout is Gaston Stem Leadership Academy with a composite score of 5.7/10.
What is the best high school in Gaston, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Gaston on MySchoolScout is Northampton County High School with a composite score of 4.7/10.
How many school districts serve Gaston, North Carolina?
Gaston is served by 2 school districts: Kipp Gaston College Preparatory, Northampton County Schools.
What is the education level in Gaston, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 13% of adults in Gaston have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Gaston, North Carolina?
The median household income in Gaston is approximately $47,096 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Gaston, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Gaston is 14.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Gaston, 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 Elementary Schools in America: 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- Moving before 2027? The federal school choice tax credit follows the state, not youschool choice
- The New School Choice Map: Is Your State Participating in the Federal Tuition Tax Credit?data insights
- Moving to Raleigh-Durham? A Parent's Guide to School Choice in the Triangleguides
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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.