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Very Good

#387 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 29% in state

Gaston Elementary School

Elementary School · Etowah County

4550 US Highway 411, Gadsden, AL 35901

Enrollment

284

Student-Teacher

17.8:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Gadsden

#7 of 15

public schools

Alabama elementary schools

#341 of 696

In district

#6 of 21

Etowah County

Academic performance

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Gaston Elementary School

Gaston Elementary School serves 284 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in Gadsden, Alabama. With 16 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.8:1, providing opportunities for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 81st percentile statewide at #261 out of 1,360 Alabama elementary schools.

Students show particular strength in English Language Arts and reading, with 67% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents an area for continued growth, with 37% of students meeting proficiency standards. Gaston Elementary draws families from a diverse economic background in the 35901 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $43,638 and median home values reach $167,200.

The surrounding community includes 18,818 residents, with 24% holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Located at 4550 US Highway 411, Gaston Elementary sits in a rural setting near town, offering students a close-knit school environment while maintaining access to broader community resources. This combination of rural charm and educational focus creates a distinctive learning atmosphere for the families it serves.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Gaston Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.27 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Reading vs. State Avg-15.8 pts
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected+20.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,738

Gaston Elementary School — Students at Gaston Elementary School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 37.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 70.6%
School
State
86.9%

Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
67%
2024
ELA
88.6%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.6/10.

How Gaston Elementary School Compares

See how Gaston Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
72th percentile in AL
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
4.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

4550 US Highway 411, Gadsden, AL 35901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gaston Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Glencoe Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Glencoe), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Highland Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Gadsden, see our Gadsden schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Gaston High School Gadsden 0.0 mi 5.7
Thompson Elementary School Gadsden 3.1 mi 6.8
Highland Elementary School Gadsden 3.7 mi 8.2
ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gadsden 4.7 mi 8.6
Litchfield Middle School Gadsden 5.1 mi 6.4
Adams Elementary School Gadsden 5.2 mi 7.8
Hokes Bluff High School Hokes Bluff 5.0 mi 3.5
Donehoo Elementary School Gadsden 5.8 mi 5.9
Hokes Bluff Elementary School Hokes Bluff 5.9 mi 8.1
Hokes Bluff Middle School Hokes Bluff 6.0 mi 5.6
Mitchell Elementary School Gadsden 5.7 mi 7.9
Glencoe Middle School Glencoe 6.9 mi 5.3
Glencoe High School Glencoe 7.0 mi 5.0
HOLY COMFORTER EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Gadsden 6.2 mi 6.4
W E Striplin Elementary School Gadsden 6.3 mi 6.8
Gadsden Middle School Gadsden 6.5 mi 5.3
Duck Springs Elementary School Attalla 6.7 mi 6.1
Glencoe Elementary School Glencoe 7.6 mi 8.4
FBC GLENCOE WEEKDAY Glencoe 7.7 mi
Floyd Elementary School Gadsden 6.8 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 35901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$47,826

Median Home Value

$174,200

Median Rent

$747/mo

Population

19,186

College Educated

21.8%

Homeownership

65.2%

Avg Commute

22.1 min

Poverty Rate

25.3%

Median Age

40

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gaston Elementary School has a median household income of $47,826. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $174,200, with a median rent of $747/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Dozier Elementary School Montgomery, AL 7.5
Eva School Eva, AL 7.5
Howell Graves Preschool Muscle Shoals, AL 7.5
Myrtlewood Elementary School Fosters, AL 7.5
Randolph Elementary School Randolph, AL 7.5
Richard Arrington Elementary Birmingham, AL 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gaston Elementary School

What grades does Gaston Elementary School serve?

Gaston Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Gaston Elementary School?

Gaston Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 284 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gaston Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Gaston Elementary School is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gaston Elementary School rank in AL?

Gaston Elementary School is ranked #387 out of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Gaston Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gaston Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Gaston Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gaston Elementary School has 37.0% math proficiency and 70.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gaston Elementary School a charter school?

No, Gaston Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Gaston Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Gaston Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gaston Elementary School?

71.1% of students at Gaston Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,171/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Gadsden). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
284
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
71.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Etowah County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Etowah County
District Enrollment
8,714
Schools in District
24
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,215
District Rank
#6 of 21

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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