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Average

#889 of 1,356 schools in AL

Gaston High School

High School · Etowah County

4550 US Highway 411, Gadsden, AL 35901

Enrollment

362

Student-Teacher

19.1:1

Score

5.6

Grades

7th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Alabama schools

#889 of 1,356

In Gadsden

#14 of 15

public schools

In district

#13 of 21

Etowah County

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Gaston High School

5.6/10

High School in Gadsden · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Gaston Elementary School

8.9/10

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 High School

Gaston High School is a public high school in Gadsden, AL, part of Etowah County. Gaston High School serves approximately 362 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 19.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Gaston High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #889 of 1,356 schools in AL.

Structured state assessment records for Gaston High School show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.0 pts above district
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • District avg 4.6
  • AL avg 5.1

What Parents Should Know

Gaston High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.8Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.78 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-13.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College Readiness9.4Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,215
Chronic Absenteeism22.4%

Gaston High School — Students at Gaston High School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 41.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 53.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from AL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
79%
ELA
85%
2010
Math
81%
ELA
84%
2011
Math
83%
ELA
84%
2012
Math
85%
ELA
86%
2013
Math
26%
ELA
41%
2014
Math
29%
ELA
34%
2015
Math
33%
ELA
33%
2016
Math
34%
ELA
39%
2017
Math
40%
ELA
48%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
42%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How Gaston High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.6/10
35th percentile in AL
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Sports
10
5 boys' · 5 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.4%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics10sports offered
5 boys'·5 girls'·10 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·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 High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Glencoe High School (rated 4.5/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Glencoe), a more accessible option. Additionally, Hokes Bluff High School (rated 4.1/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Hokes Bluff), a more accessible option. For more schools in Gadsden, see our Gadsden schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Gaston Elementary School Gadsden 0.0 mi 8.9
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
Acceleration Day and Evening Academy Mobile, AL 5.6
Baldwin County Virtual School Daphne, AL 5.6
Clarke County High School Grove Hill, AL 5.6
Greene County High School Eutaw, AL 5.6
Thomasville High School Thomasville, AL 5.6
Colbert County High School Leighton, AL 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gaston High School

What grades does Gaston High School serve?

Gaston High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Gaston High School?

Gaston High School has an enrollment of approximately 362 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Gaston High School is 19.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gaston High School rank in AL?

Gaston High School ranks #889 of 1,356 schools in AL.

What is Gaston High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gaston High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 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 High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Gaston High School has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Gaston High School a charter school?

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

Is Gaston High School a Title I school?

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

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

74.6% of students at Gaston High 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
7th – 12th
Enrollment
362
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Etowah County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.4%
4-Year Graduation
90%+

District

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

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