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Average

#1224 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 46% in state

Gateway School

High School · Caldwell County Schools

1889 Dudley Shoals Road, Granite Falls, NC 28630

Enrollment

62

Student-Teacher

5.6:1

Score

6.6

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Granite Falls

#5 of 6

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#105 of 579

In district

#9 of 23

Caldwell County Schools

School environment

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Gateway School

Gateway School is an alternative high school nestled in a rural area near Granite Falls, North Carolina. Serving students from sixth to twelfth grade, Gateway offers a unique educational environment with a total enrollment of 62 students and a student-teacher ratio of 5.6:1, ensuring personalized attention for each learner. The school has eleven full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting students in various academic areas.

Gateway School's MySchoolScout rating stands at 3.2 out of 10, with an overall state ranking of #2313 among the 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it around the 13th percentile. In terms of proficiency rates, 23% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and only 10% meet these standards in Math, indicating areas for academic growth. Despite its challenges, Gateway School focuses on providing a supportive environment tailored to individual needs.

The school's rural setting offers a peaceful backdrop for learning, fostering a close-knit community where students can thrive with additional support and resources. Gateway School is part of Caldwell County and serves as an essential educational option in the region, offering a nurturing space for students seeking alternative pathways to success.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 62 students, Gateway School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Gateway School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5.6:1, Gateway School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics2.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency40.7%
Math vs. State Avg-37.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.2 pts
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-16.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College Readiness7.8Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,644

Gateway School — Students at Gateway School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 11.5%
School
State
54.8%
ELA Proficiency 23.5%
School
State
52.8%

Based on 8 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
15%
2025
Math
13%
ELA
31.9%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Gateway School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.6/10
54th percentile in NC
Academic
2.9/10
2.9/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
6:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

1889 Dudley Shoals Road, Granite Falls, NC 28630

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gateway School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy (rated 6.1/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Hudson), with a comparable rating. Another option is Caldwell Early College (rated 5.4/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Hudson), a more accessible option. Additionally, South Caldwell High (rated 5.0/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Hudson), a more accessible option. For more schools in Granite Falls, see our Granite Falls schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Dudley Shoals Elementary Granite Falls 1.5 mi 7.9
West Alexander Middle Taylorsville 3.2 mi 7.9
Oak Hill Charter School Lenoir 3.8 mi 5.2
Bethlehem Elementary Taylorsville 3.7 mi 7.3
Granite Falls Elementary Granite Falls 5.4 mi 7.5
South Caldwell High Hudson 5.5 mi 5.0
Granite Falls Middle Granite Falls 5.9 mi 7.3
W M Jenkins Elementary Hickory 6.4 mi 7.7
Northview Middle Hickory 7.1 mi 5.0
Ellendale Elementary Taylorsville 6.7 mi 4.8
Hudson Middle Hudson 6.3 mi 5.8
TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hickory 7.5 mi 5.9
Viewmont Elementary Hickory 7.9 mi 4.2
Hudson Elementary Hudson 6.5 mi 7.4
Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy Hudson 6.6 mi 6.1
Caldwell Early College Hudson 6.6 mi 5.4
Clyde Campbell Elementary Hickory 7.5 mi 8.2
Sawmills Elementary Granite Falls 7.0 mi 5.6
Hickory High Hickory 8.2 mi 4.4
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hudson 6.8 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28630 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,713

Median Home Value

$197,800

Median Rent

$808/mo

Population

20,400

College Educated

18.2%

Homeownership

77.4%

Avg Commute

26.3 min

Poverty Rate

11.9%

Median Age

46.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gateway School has a median household income of $65,713. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $197,800, with a median rent of $808/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Davidson County High School Lexington, NC 6.5
ACCELERATOR SCHOOL LLC Morrisville, NC 6.7
WINSTON-SALEM STREET SCHOOL Winston-Salem, NC 6.7
ECKERD - BOOMER CAMPUS Boomer, NC 6.4
FUSION ACADEMY AND LEARNING CENTER - CHARLOTTE Charlotte, NC 6.8
Tar River Academy Rocky Mount, NC 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gateway School

What grades does Gateway School serve?

Gateway School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Gateway School?

Gateway School has an enrollment of approximately 62 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gateway School?

The student-teacher ratio at Gateway School is 5.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gateway School rank in NC?

Gateway School is ranked #1224 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Gateway School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gateway School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Gateway School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gateway School has 11.5% math proficiency and 23.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gateway School a charter school?

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

Is Gateway School a Title I school?

No, Gateway School is not currently a Title I school.

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

95.2% of students at Gateway 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

City Safety
High (3,178/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Granite Falls). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
62
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
95.2%
Type
alternative
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Caldwell County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Caldwell County Schools
District Enrollment
10,665
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,066
District Rank
#9 of 23

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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