Average
#939 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
5.7
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
362
Student-Teacher
19.1:1
Score
5.7
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gadsden
#13 of 15
public schools
Alabama high schools
#107 of 308
In district
#12 of 21
Etowah County
About Gaston High School
Gaston High School is a regular public high school located in a rural area near the town of Gadsden, Alabama. Serving grades 7 through 12, the school has an enrollment of 362 students and employs 19 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 19.1:1. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.5 out of 10, placing it at the 33rd percentile among Alabama schools, with an academic score of 4.6 out of 10.
Students at Gaston High School are working to improve their proficiency levels, with 42% reaching proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 12% in Math. The neighborhood around Gaston High School is part of the ZIP code 35901, which has a median household income of $43,638 and a median home value of $167,200. Approximately 24% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is 24.6%.
Despite the challenges, the community provides a supportive environment for students to develop and grow academically and personally.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Gaston High 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 High School — Students at Gaston High School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AL EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.7/10.
How Gaston High School Compares
See how Gaston High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 42% (2022).
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 5.0/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Glencoe), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Hokes Bluff High School (rated 3.5/10, 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 | 7.5 |
| 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 High 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 |
|---|---|
| Clarke County High School Grove Hill, AL | 5.7 |
| Gordo High School Gordo, AL | 5.7 |
| Hale County High School Moundville, AL | 5.7 |
| New Brockton High School New Brockton, AL | 5.7 |
| Straughn High School Andalusia, AL | 5.7 |
| Tallassee High School Tallassee, AL | 5.7 |
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 is ranked #939 out of 1,356 schools in AL.
What is Gaston High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Gaston High School has a composite rating of 5.7 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 High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gaston High School has 17.2% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,171/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Gadsden). Data >1 year old.
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
- 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
- #12 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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