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Needs Improvement

#2530 of 2,648 schools in NC

East Gaston High

High School · Gaston County Schools

1744 Lane Road, Mount Holly, NC 28120

Enrollment

908

Student-Teacher

19.3:1

Score

3.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mount Holly

#4 of 4

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#526 of 579

In district

#48 of 56

Gaston County Schools

About East Gaston High

East Gaston High serves 908 students in grades 9-12 in Mount Holly, North Carolina, with a student-teacher ratio of 19.3:1 supported by 47 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks in the 30th percentile among North Carolina high schools, with room for academic growth as students work toward stronger performance outcomes. Current academic data shows 45% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and Reading, while 48% achieve proficiency in Mathematics.

The school maintains a MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10, reflecting opportunities for continued development in student achievement and educational programming. Located on Lane Road in the heart of Gaston County, East Gaston High sits within a stable mid-size suburban community where the median household income reaches nearly $72,000 and home values average $237,300. The surrounding 28120 ZIP code area houses over 23,000 residents, with 32% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a relatively low poverty rate of 9.4%.

The school's suburban Mount Holly setting provides students with access to a well-established residential community that balances small-town charm with proximity to the greater Charlotte metropolitan area's resources and opportunities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.3Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.31 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.4%
Math vs. State Avg-19.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.2 pts
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected-18.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College Readiness5.1Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,409

East Gaston High — Students at East Gaston High score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 50.2%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 51.8%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
60%
2025
Math
36.5%
ELA
45.4%

* 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: 2.3/10.

How East Gaston High Compares

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

Overall Score
3.7/10
5th percentile in NC
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
2.3/10
Below average
Environment
2.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers

Location

1744 Lane Road, Mount Holly, NC 28120

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering East Gaston High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Stuart W Cramer High (rated 5.1/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Belmont), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Warlick Academy (rated 4.9/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Gastonia), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mount Holly, see our Mount Holly schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Springfield Primary Stanley 2.5 mi 5.8
Lowell Elementary Lowell 2.7 mi 8.2
JUDAH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Stanley 3.0 mi 6.1
Kiser Elementary Stanley 3.3 mi 5.8
North Belmont Elementary Belmont 3.3 mi 9.0
Mount Holly Middle Mount Holly 3.2 mi 6.4
Catawba Heights Elementary Belmont 3.5 mi 8.3
Holbrook Middle Lowell 3.8 mi 3.7
Ida Rankin Elementary School Mount Holly 3.4 mi 7.8
Stanley Middle Stanley 3.9 mi 6.8
Community Public Charter Stanley 4.1 mi 5.3
McAdenville Elementary Mcadenville 4.3 mi 8.7
GASTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia 4.5 mi 5.0
Warlick Academy Gastonia 4.0 mi 4.9
CRAMERTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cramerton 4.7 mi 6.4
Stuart W Cramer High Belmont 4.9 mi 5.1
Pinewood Elementary Mount Holly 4.4 mi 7.8
Belmont Central Elementary Belmont 5.3 mi 6.3
Brookside Elementary Gastonia 4.5 mi 5.6
ASSEMBLY OF FAITH CHR. SCHOOL Dallas 4.6 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28120 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,809

Median Home Value

$272,500

Median Rent

$1,179/mo

Population

24,363

College Educated

33.2%

Homeownership

72%

Avg Commute

27.6 min

Poverty Rate

9.9%

Median Age

40.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding East Gaston High has a median household income of $74,809. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $272,500, with a median rent of $1,179/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Ayden-Grifton High Ayden, NC 3.7
East Columbus Junior-Senior High Lake Waccamaw, NC 3.7
Havelock High Havelock, NC 3.7
James Hunt High Wilson, NC 3.7
North Gaston High Dallas, NC 3.7
Salisbury High Salisbury, NC 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about East Gaston High

What grades does East Gaston High serve?

East Gaston High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend East Gaston High?

East Gaston High has an enrollment of approximately 908 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at East Gaston High is 19.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does East Gaston High rank in NC?

East Gaston High is ranked #2530 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is East Gaston High's MySchoolScout rating?

East Gaston High has a composite rating of 3.7 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 East Gaston High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, East Gaston High has 50.2% math proficiency and 51.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is East Gaston High a charter school?

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

Is East Gaston High a Title I school?

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

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

50.2% of students at East Gaston High 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

City Safety
High (1,754/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
908
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
47
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Gaston County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Gaston County Schools
District Enrollment
30,253
Schools in District
56
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,190
District Rank
#48 of 56

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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