Below Average
#2259 of 2,648 schools in NC
Gardner Park Elementary
Elementary School · Gaston County Schools
738 Armstrong Park Road, Gastonia, NC 28054
Enrollment
549
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
549
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,259 of 2,648
In Gastonia
#13 of 25
public schools
In district
#40 of 56
Gaston County Schools
School environment
7.5 / 10
Very Good
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Gardner Park Elementary
Elementary School in Gastonia · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Ashbrook High
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Sherwood Elementary
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Gardner Park Elementary
Gardner Park Elementary is a public elementary school in Gastonia, NC, part of Gaston County Schools. Gardner Park Elementary serves approximately 549 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Gardner Park Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #2,259 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Gardner Park Elementary show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.3 · Below Average
- District avg 5.8
- NC avg 6.4
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Gardner Park Elementary — Students at Gardner Park Elementary score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC 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: 3.2/10.
How Gardner Park Elementary Compares
See how Gardner Park Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
738 Armstrong Park Road, Gastonia, NC 28054
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gardner Park Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hawks Nest STEAM Academy (rated 9.4/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is McAdenville Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Mcadenville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lowell Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Lowell), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Gastonia, see our Gastonia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ashbrook High Gastonia | 0.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Sherwood Elementary Gastonia | 1.2 mi | 3.4 |
| W P Grier Middle School Gastonia | 1.3 mi | 2.8 |
| Piedmont Community Charter School Gastonia | 1.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Warlick Academy Gastonia | 2.2 mi | 3.4 |
| Holbrook Middle Lowell | 1.9 mi | 4.1 |
| GASTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia | 1.9 mi | 5.1 |
| FIRST WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia | 2.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Hawks Nest STEAM Academy Gastonia | 3.0 mi | 9.4 |
| Brookside Elementary Gastonia | 3.1 mi | 3.6 |
| CRAMERTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cramerton | 2.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Robinson Elementary Gastonia | 3.1 mi | 3.9 |
| GASTON DAY SCHOOL Gastonia | 3.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Lowell Elementary Lowell | 3.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Cramerton Middle Cramerton | 3.2 mi | 8.0 |
| Woodhill Elementary Gastonia | 3.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Ridgeview Charter School Gastonia | 3.2 mi | 5.7 |
| McAdenville Elementary Mcadenville | 3.1 mi | 8.0 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Gastonia | 3.3 mi | 7.1 |
| York Chester Middle Gastonia | 3.4 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28054 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,524
Median Home Value
$220,200
Median Rent
$1,150/mo
Population
39,493
College Educated
24.5%
Homeownership
46.8%
Avg Commute
24.6 min
Poverty Rate
13.4%
Median Age
37.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Aycock Elementary Henderson, NC | 4.3 |
| Bessemer Elementary Greensboro, NC | 4.3 |
| Casa Esperanza Montessori Charter School Wake Forest, NC | 4.3 |
| Clear Creek Elementary Charlotte, NC | 4.3 |
| David Cox Road Elementary Charlotte, NC | 4.3 |
| Hunters Creek Elementary Jacksonville, NC | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gardner Park Elementary
What grades does Gardner Park Elementary serve?
Gardner Park Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Gardner Park Elementary?
Gardner Park Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 549 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gardner Park Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Gardner Park Elementary is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gardner Park Elementary rank in NC?
Gardner Park Elementary ranks #2,259 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Gardner Park Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Gardner Park Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 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 Gardner Park Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Gardner Park Elementary has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Gardner Park Elementary a charter school?
No, Gardner Park Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gardner Park Elementary a Title I school?
No, Gardner Park Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gardner Park Elementary?
99.5% of students at Gardner Park Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 549
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Gaston County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 29.0%
- Phone
- (704) 866-6082
Resources & Links
District
Gaston County Schools- District Enrollment
- 30,253
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,190
- District Rank
- #40 of 56
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