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Excellent

#398 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 15% 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

8.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Gastonia

#1 of 25

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#13 of 579

In district

#5 of 56

Gaston County Schools

Academic performance

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Highland Sch of Technology

Highland School of Technology stands out as an exceptional high school in Gastonia, serving 528 students in grades 9-12 with remarkable academic achievement. This regular public school has earned a MySchoolScout rating of 9.6 out of 10 and ranks an impressive #3 out of 2,661 schools statewide, placing it in the 100th percentile of North Carolina high schools. The school's academic performance is truly outstanding, with 100% of students achieving proficient or above levels in both English Language Arts and Mathematics across all grade levels.

With 39 full-time equivalent teachers, Highland maintains a favorable 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more personalized attention and instruction. Located on North Morris Street in Gaston County, Highland School of Technology serves a diverse community where the median household income is $44,448 and median home values average $152,800. While 22.1% of families in the area face economic challenges and only 15% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the school's exceptional results demonstrate its ability to provide outstanding educational opportunities regardless of socioeconomic background.

Highland School of Technology operates in Gastonia's small city environment, creating an accessible yet focused learning atmosphere for students throughout the broader community of nearly 36,000 residents.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.84 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.9Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency100%
Reading/ELA Proficiency99.9%
Math vs. State Avg+44 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+46.3 pts
Overall Proficiency100%
Expected (poverty-adj.)66%
vs. Expected+34.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile99th
College Readiness9.5Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation30.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,409

Highland Sch of Technology — Students at Highland Sch of Technology score 100% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).

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 96.5%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 98.3%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
92%
ELA
97.5%
2021*
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2025
Math
100%
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: 5.0/10.

How Highland Sch of Technology Compares

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

Overall Score
8.1/10
85th percentile in NC
Academic
9.9/10
9.9/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

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 of Medical Sciences (rated 7.2/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Dallas), with a comparable rating. Another option is Gaston Early College High School (rated 6.9/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Dallas), a more accessible option. Additionally, Hunter Huss High (rated 3.1/10, 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 4.6
Ridgeview Charter School Gastonia 0.8 mi 1.9
York Chester Middle Gastonia 1.7 mi 5.6
Webb Street School Gastonia 1.7 mi 6.5
FIRST WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia 1.9 mi 6.1
Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences Dallas 2.1 mi 7.2
Gaston Early College High School Dallas 2.2 mi 6.9
Carr Elementary Dallas 2.3 mi 6.8
Pleasant Ridge Elementary Gastonia 2.2 mi 5.5
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 5.0
Brookside Elementary Gastonia 2.4 mi 5.6
Hunter Huss High Gastonia 2.9 mi 3.1
W P Grier Middle School Gastonia 2.7 mi 3.2
ASSEMBLY OF FAITH CHR. SCHOOL Dallas 2.9 mi
Sherwood Elementary Gastonia 3.0 mi 5.9
Southwest Middle Gastonia 3.5 mi 3.7
Gaston Virtual Academy Gastonia 3.3 mi 5.9
W C Friday Middle School Dallas 3.7 mi 3.9

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Highland Sch of Technology has a median household income of $46,015. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $173,500, with a median rent of $1,058/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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
Vernon Malone College and Career Academy Raleigh, NC 8.1
Williams Secondary Montessori Charlotte, NC 7.9
Alleghany High Sparta, NC 7.8
Chatham Central High Bear Creek, NC 7.7
SandHoke Early College High Raeford, NC 7.6
Jones Senior High School Trenton, NC 7.5

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 is ranked #398 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Highland Sch of Technology's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Sch of Technology 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 Highland Sch of Technology?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Sch of Technology has 96.5% math proficiency and 98.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (4,390/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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