Average
#2065 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
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
549
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gastonia
#12 of 25
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,302 of 1,474
In district
#37 of 56
Gaston County Schools
School environment
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Gardner Park Elementary
Gardner Park Elementary is a public elementary school located in Gastonia, North Carolina. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 549 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.7:1 with 40 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Gardner Park Elementary shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and state ranking in the 18th percentile among North Carolina schools.
In reading and math proficiency tests, 35% and 37% of students respectively meet or exceed proficiency levels. Gardner Park Elementary is situated in a small city setting, providing a close-knit community atmosphere for its students. With a focus on developing foundational skills and personal growth, the school aims to support each student's educational journey.
Score Breakdown
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Gardner Park Elementary — Students at Gardner Park Elementary score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
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 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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 Gardner Park Elementary Compares
See how Gardner Park Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 29% (2019) to 39.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 34.9% (2025).
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. McAdenville Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Mcadenville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lowell Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Lowell), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hawks Nest STEAM Academy (rated 8.1/10, 3.0 miles away), 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 | 3.0 |
| Sherwood Elementary Gastonia | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| W P Grier Middle School Gastonia | 1.3 mi | 3.2 |
| Piedmont Community Charter School Gastonia | 1.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Warlick Academy Gastonia | 2.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Holbrook Middle Lowell | 1.9 mi | 3.7 |
| GASTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia | 1.9 mi | 5.0 |
| FIRST WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia | 2.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Hawks Nest STEAM Academy Gastonia | 3.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Brookside Elementary Gastonia | 3.1 mi | 5.6 |
| CRAMERTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cramerton | 2.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Robinson Elementary Gastonia | 3.1 mi | 5.2 |
| GASTON DAY SCHOOL Gastonia | 3.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Lowell Elementary Lowell | 3.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Cramerton Middle Cramerton | 3.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Woodhill Elementary Gastonia | 3.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Ridgeview Charter School Gastonia | 3.2 mi | 1.9 |
| McAdenville Elementary Mcadenville | 3.1 mi | 8.7 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Gastonia | 3.3 mi | 7.1 |
| York Chester Middle Gastonia | 3.4 mi | 5.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gardner Park Elementary has a median household income of $59,524. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $220,200, with a median rent of $1,150/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.4%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Collettsville School Collettsville, NC | 5.2 |
| Elkin Elementary Elkin, NC | 5.2 |
| Oxford Elementary Claremont, NC | 5.2 |
| Peachland-Polkton Elem Peachland, NC | 5.2 |
| Rashkis Elementary Chapel Hill, NC | 5.2 |
| Robinson Elementary Gastonia, NC | 5.2 |
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 is ranked #2065 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Gardner Park Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Gardner Park Elementary has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Gardner Park Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gardner Park Elementary has 36.9% math proficiency and 35.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (4,390/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Gastonia). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (704) 866-6082
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Gaston County Schools- District Enrollment
- 30,253
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,190
- District Rank
- #37 of 56
Other Schools in This District
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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