Excellent
#399 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 15% in state
Hawks Nest Steam Academy
Elementary School · Gaston County Schools
3430 Robinwood Rd, Gastonia, NC 28054
Enrollment
351
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
351
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gastonia
#2 of 25
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#360 of 1,474
In district
#6 of 56
Gaston County Schools
Academic performance
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Hawks Nest Steam Academy
Hawks Nest STEAM Academy stands out as a high-performing elementary school in Gastonia, serving 351 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. This regular public school has earned an impressive 8.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks 150th out of 2,661 North Carolina elementary schools, placing it in the 94th percentile statewide. The school demonstrates particularly strong academic performance, with 82% of students achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 71% reaching proficiency in English Language Arts and reading.
With 24 full-time equivalent teachers, Hawks Nest maintains a favorable 14.6-to-1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. As a STEAM-focused academy, the school emphasizes science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics in its curriculum approach. The school serves families in the 28054 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $55,892 and median home values average $192,800.
About 23% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 13.9%. Hawks Nest STEAM Academy operates within Gaston County's school system, providing quality elementary education in Gastonia's small city environment.
Score Breakdown
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Hawks Nest Steam Academy — Students at Hawks Nest Steam Academy score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.7%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.1/10.
How Hawks Nest Steam Academy Compares
See how Hawks Nest Steam Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 82% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 71.3% (2025).
Location
3430 Robinwood Rd, Gastonia, NC 28054
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hawks Nest Steam Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 3.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is FIRST WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 3.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Sherwood Elementary (rated 5.9/10, 2.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Gastonia, see our Gastonia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Robinson Elementary Gastonia | 0.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Piedmont Community Charter School Gastonia | 1.0 mi | 4.4 |
| GASTON DAY SCHOOL Gastonia | 1.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Sherwood Elementary Gastonia | 2.4 mi | 5.9 |
| W A Bess Elementary School Gastonia | 2.4 mi | 5.7 |
| W P Grier Middle School Gastonia | 2.7 mi | 3.2 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Gastonia | 2.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Lingerfeldt Elementary Gastonia | 2.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Forestview High Gastonia | 2.6 mi | 4.4 |
| H H Beam Elementary Gastonia | 2.4 mi | 3.6 |
| Ashbrook High Gastonia | 2.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Gardner Park Elementary Gastonia | 3.0 mi | 5.2 |
| FIRST WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia | 3.2 mi | 6.1 |
| ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gastonia | 3.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Southwest Middle Gastonia | 2.8 mi | 3.7 |
| York Chester Middle Gastonia | 3.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Hunter Huss High Gastonia | 3.1 mi | 3.1 |
| Pleasant Ridge Elementary Gastonia | 3.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Ridgeview Charter School Gastonia | 4.1 mi | 1.9 |
| Woodhill Elementary Gastonia | 4.5 mi | 4.6 |
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 Hawks Nest Steam Academy 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 |
|---|---|
| Anderson Creek Academy Spring Lake, NC | 8.1 |
| Beverly Hills Elementary Concord, NC | 8.1 |
| Bolton Elementary Winston-Salem, NC | 8.1 |
| Catawba Elementary School Catawba, NC | 8.1 |
| Cook Literacy Model School Winston-Salem, NC | 8.1 |
| Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary Smyrna, NC | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hawks Nest Steam Academy
What grades does Hawks Nest Steam Academy serve?
Hawks Nest Steam Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Hawks Nest Steam Academy?
Hawks Nest Steam Academy has an enrollment of approximately 351 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hawks Nest Steam Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Hawks Nest Steam Academy is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hawks Nest Steam Academy rank in NC?
Hawks Nest Steam Academy is ranked #399 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Hawks Nest Steam Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Hawks Nest Steam Academy has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Hawks Nest Steam Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hawks Nest Steam Academy has 77.8% math proficiency and 69.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hawks Nest Steam Academy a charter school?
No, Hawks Nest Steam Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hawks Nest Steam Academy a Title I school?
No, Hawks Nest Steam Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hawks Nest Steam Academy?
38.7% of students at Hawks Nest Steam Academy 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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Gastonia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 351
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Gaston County
- Phone
- (704) 866-8467
- 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
- #6 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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