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
Enrollment
284
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Gaston Elementary School — Students at Gaston Elementary School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
71.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL ACAP (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 67% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (256) 547-8828
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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