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Excellent

#122 of 1,356 schools in AL

Top 9% in state

Gaston Elementary School

Elementary School · Etowah County

4550 US Highway 411, Gadsden, AL 35901

Enrollment

284

Student-Teacher

17.8:1

Score

8.9

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#122 of 1,356

In Gadsden

#2 of 15

public schools

In district

#2 of 21

Etowah County

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Gaston Elementary School

8.9/10

Elementary School in Gadsden · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Gaston High School

5.6/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Thompson Elementary School

7.0/10

3.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Gaston Elementary School

Gaston Elementary School is a public elementary school in Gadsden, AL, part of Etowah County. Gaston Elementary School serves approximately 284 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Gaston Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10 and ranks #122 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Gaston Elementary School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2022) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).

How it compares1.1 pts above district
  • This school 8.9 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.8
  • AL avg 7.4

What Parents Should Know

Gaston Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data6
Annual Change-0.12 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency88.6% (2024 ACAP)
Reading vs. State Avg+5.8 pts
Overall Proficiency63% (2024 ACAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2024 ACAP)
vs. Expected+20.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,215
Chronic Absenteeism9.9%

Gaston Elementary School — Students at Gaston Elementary School score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

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% (multi-year average, 2018-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 66.0% (multi-year average, 2018-2024)
School
State
86.9% (2024 ACAP)

Based on 12 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2018
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
52%
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: 9.7/10.

How Gaston Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.9/10
91th percentile in AL
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
7.0/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
9.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Mitchell Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 5.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 4.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Highland Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 3.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 5.6
Thompson Elementary School Gadsden 3.1 mi 7.0
Highland Elementary School Gadsden 3.7 mi 8.4
ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gadsden 4.7 mi 8.6
Litchfield Middle School Gadsden 5.1 mi 6.2
Adams Elementary School Gadsden 5.2 mi 6.1
Hokes Bluff High School Hokes Bluff 5.0 mi 4.1
Donehoo Elementary School Gadsden 5.8 mi 8.0
Hokes Bluff Elementary School Hokes Bluff 5.9 mi 8.0
Hokes Bluff Middle School Hokes Bluff 6.0 mi 4.2
Mitchell Elementary School Gadsden 5.7 mi 8.7
Glencoe Middle School Glencoe 6.9 mi 5.4
Glencoe High School Glencoe 7.0 mi 4.5
HOLY COMFORTER EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Gadsden 6.2 mi 6.4
W E Striplin Elementary School Gadsden 6.3 mi 6.5
Gadsden Middle School Gadsden 6.5 mi 6.2
Duck Springs Elementary School Attalla 6.7 mi 7.1
Glencoe Elementary School Glencoe 7.6 mi 8.0
FBC GLENCOE WEEKDAY Glencoe 7.7 mi
Floyd Elementary School Gadsden 6.8 mi 6.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Woodland Elementary School Woodland, AL 8.9
Brindlee Mountain Primary School Guntersville, AL 8.8
Cleburne County Elementary School Heflin, AL 8.8
MacMillan International at McKee Montgomery, AL 8.8
Ranburne Elementary School Ranburne, AL 8.8
Rosinton School Robertsdale, AL 8.8

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 ranks #122 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Gaston Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gaston Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Gaston Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Gaston Elementary School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2022) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2024).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
9.9%

District

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

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