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Excellent

#18 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 1% in state

Highland Sch of Technology

High School · Gaston County Schools

1600 N Morris Street, Gastonia, NC 28052

Enrollment

528

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

9.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#18 of 2,648

In Gastonia

#2 of 25

public schools

In district

#2 of 56

Gaston County Schools

Academic performance

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Highland Sch of Technology

9.3/10

High School in Gastonia · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Woodhill Elementary

3.8/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Ridgeview Charter School

5.7/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Highland Sch of Technology

Highland Sch of Technology is a public high school in Gastonia, NC, part of Gaston County Schools. Highland Sch of Technology serves approximately 528 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland Sch of Technology has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.3 out of 10 and ranks #18 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Highland Sch of Technology show 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 94% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares3.6 pts above district
  • This school 9.3 · Excellent
  • District avg 5.7
  • NC avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.3Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+0.4 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.9Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency99.2% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency99.9% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+43.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+46.3 pts
Overall Proficiency100% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)69% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+30.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile98th
College Readiness8.6Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%+
AP Participation30.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,190
Chronic Absenteeism7.8%

Highland Sch of Technology — Students at Highland Sch of Technology score 100% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 83.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 94.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
97.5%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
97.5%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
72%
ELA
87%
2015
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2016
Math
92%
ELA
97.5%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
97.5%
2018
Math
92%
ELA
97.5%
2019
Math
92%
ELA
97.5%
2020*
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2021*
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2025
Math
99.2%
ELA
99.9%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Highland Sch of Technology Compares

See how Highland Sch of Technology performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.3/10
99th percentile in NC
Academic
9.9/10
Excellent
Growth
9.3/10
Excellent
Environment
9.7/10
Excellent
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3
Sports
4
2 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
7.8%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
30.9% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics4sports offered
2 boys'·2 girls'·3 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1600 N Morris Street, Gastonia, NC 28052

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland Sch of Technology may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Gaston Early College High School (rated 8.4/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Dallas), with a comparable rating. Another option is Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences (rated 6.0/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Dallas), a more accessible option. Additionally, Hunter Huss High (rated 3.0/10, 2.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Gastonia, see our Gastonia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Woodhill Elementary Gastonia 0.6 mi 3.8
Ridgeview Charter School Gastonia 0.8 mi 5.7
York Chester Middle Gastonia 1.7 mi 5.3
Webb Street School Gastonia 1.7 mi 5.0
FIRST WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia 1.9 mi 6.1
Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences Dallas 2.1 mi 6.0
Gaston Early College High School Dallas 2.2 mi 8.4
Carr Elementary Dallas 2.3 mi 6.8
Pleasant Ridge Elementary Gastonia 2.2 mi 6.9
ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gastonia 2.4 mi 8.1
VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Gastonia 2.7 mi 7.1
Lingerfeldt Elementary Gastonia 2.7 mi 3.5
Brookside Elementary Gastonia 2.4 mi 3.6
Hunter Huss High Gastonia 2.9 mi 3.0
W P Grier Middle School Gastonia 2.7 mi 2.8
ASSEMBLY OF FAITH CHR. SCHOOL Dallas 2.9 mi
Sherwood Elementary Gastonia 3.0 mi 3.4
Southwest Middle Gastonia 3.5 mi 4.3
Gaston Virtual Academy Gastonia 3.3 mi 5.9
W C Friday Middle School Dallas 3.7 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28052 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$46,015

Median Home Value

$173,500

Median Rent

$1,058/mo

Population

36,896

College Educated

16.3%

Homeownership

52.8%

Avg Commute

25.9 min

Poverty Rate

22.3%

Median Age

34.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Raleigh Charter High School Raleigh, NC 9.2
City of Medicine Academy Durham, NC 9.1
Vernon Malone College and Career Academy Raleigh, NC 9.0
East Bladen High Elizabethtown, NC 8.8
Elkin High Elkin, NC 8.7
Research Triangle High School Research Triangle Pk, NC 8.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland Sch of Technology

What grades does Highland Sch of Technology serve?

Highland Sch of Technology serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Highland Sch of Technology?

Highland Sch of Technology has an enrollment of approximately 528 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Sch of Technology?

The student-teacher ratio at Highland Sch of Technology is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland Sch of Technology rank in NC?

Highland Sch of Technology ranks #18 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Highland Sch of Technology's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Sch of Technology has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.3 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 Highland Sch of Technology?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Sch of Technology has 84% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 94% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Highland Sch of Technology a charter school?

No, Highland Sch of Technology is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Highland Sch of Technology a Title I school?

No, Highland Sch of Technology is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Sch of Technology?

26.9% of students at Highland Sch of Technology 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

Walk Score
37 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
528
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
26.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Gaston County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
7.8%
4-Year Graduation
95%+

District

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

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