Best Schools in Stanley, North Carolina
6 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 Other
Choosing a school in Stanley?
Use this page to compare every school in Stanley 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.
Stanley Middle
Middle · Gaston County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Community Public Charter
Other · Community Public Charter. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Kiser Elementary
Elementary · Gaston County Schools. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Stanley for 2026 are Stanley Middle (6.6/10), Community Public Charter (6.1/10), and Kiser Elementary (4.3/10), 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
6
4 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$268,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
6
4 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.8
out of 10
Median Home
$268,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +9.3 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Stanley schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Stanley
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 rated schools; 6 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanley Middle | 6.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Community Public Charter | 6.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Kiser Elementary | 4.3 / 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
- $82,661
- Median home value
- $268,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24%
- Avg commute
- 29 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 83%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Stanley compares
North Carolina rank
#197 of 255
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.5
below North Carolina avg (6.3)
Median household income
$83k
122% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
6
Gaston County Schools runs 75% of Stanley's public schools
Stanley touches 2 districts, but Gaston County Schools is the one most addresses actually attend.
Gaston County Schools accounts for 3 of 4 public schools (75%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 1.
Among 3 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 4.3 to 6.6 — the spread is inside Stanley, not a citywide average.
- Gaston County Schools3 public · 75%
- Community Public Charter1 public · 25%
About Schools in Stanley, North Carolina
Stanley, North Carolina is home to 6 schools, including 4 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school.
With an average rating of 5.8 out of 10, schools in Stanley 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 Stanley is Stanley Middle with a composite score of 6.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Stanley is served by 2 school districts: Community Public Charter, Gaston County Schools. These districts collectively serve 31,008 students.
Stanley's community shows 24% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $82,661. The poverty rate in the area is 8.6%.
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
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 313 students · Pre-K–2nd | 5.7 |
| 2 | 336 students · 3rd–5th | 4.3 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 606 students · 6th–8th | 6.6 |
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 755 students · Kindergarten–9th | 6.1 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Judah Christian AcademyPrivate 69 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Judah Christian AcademyPrivate 73 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Schools in Stanley
Stanley, North Carolina · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$82,661
Median Home Value
$268,800
Median Rent
$1,161/mo
Population
15,991
College Educated
24%
Homeownership
83%
Avg Commute
29 min
Poverty Rate
8.6%
Community Profile
Stanley has a median household income of $82,661. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $268,800, with a median rent of $1,161/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- Other
- 3
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 Stanley, North Carolina
How many schools are in Stanley, North Carolina?
Stanley has 6 schools, including 4 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Stanley, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Stanley 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 Stanley, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Stanley on MySchoolScout is Stanley Middle with a composite score of 6.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Stanley, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Stanley on MySchoolScout is Kiser Elementary with a composite score of 4.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Stanley, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Stanley on MySchoolScout is Stanley Middle with a composite score of 6.6/10.
How many school districts serve Stanley, North Carolina?
Stanley is served by 2 school districts: Community Public Charter, Gaston County Schools.
What is the education level in Stanley, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 24% of adults in Stanley have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Stanley, North Carolina?
The median household income in Stanley is approximately $82,661 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Stanley, North Carolina?
Yes, Stanley has 2 private schools alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is Judah Christian Academy with a score of 6.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Stanley, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Stanley is 13.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Stanley, 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.