Needs Improvement
#2532 of 2,648 schools in NC
North Gaston High
High School · Gaston County Schools
1133 Ratchford Road, Dallas, NC 28034
Enrollment
1,083
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
3.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,083
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
3.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dallas
#6 of 6
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#527 of 579
In district
#50 of 56
Gaston County Schools
About North Gaston High
North Gaston High serves 1,083 students in grades 9-12 in Dallas, North Carolina, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 17.8:1 and 61 full-time equivalent teachers. Located on Ratchford Road in Gaston County, the school ranks #1924 out of 2661 North Carolina high schools, placing it in the 28th percentile statewide with a 4.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. Academically, North Gaston High has room for growth, with 44% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, while 37% achieve proficiency in mathematics across grade levels.
The school serves a community with a median household income of $57,496 and a poverty rate of 11.5%. The surrounding ZIP code of 28034 has a population of 19,063, with median home values around $201,400. As a regular public high school, North Gaston High focuses on student development while working to improve academic outcomes.
The school's educational mission serves families in a working-class community where 15% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. North Gaston High sits in a rural area near the town of Dallas, providing education in the heart of Gaston County's close-knit community.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, North Gaston High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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North Gaston High — Students at North Gaston High score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 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: 2.9/10.
How North Gaston High Compares
See how North Gaston High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 24.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 43.5% (2025).
Location
1133 Ratchford Road, Dallas, NC 28034
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Gaston High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Highland Sch of Technology (rated 8.1/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Gastonia), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences (rated 7.2/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Gaston Early College High School (rated 6.9/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dallas, see our Dallas schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| W C Friday Middle School Dallas | 0.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Carr Elementary Dallas | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Gaston Early College High School Dallas | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences Dallas | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| ASSEMBLY OF FAITH CHR. SCHOOL Dallas | 1.9 mi | — |
| Brookside Elementary Gastonia | 3.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Costner Elementary Dallas | 2.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Highland Sch of Technology Gastonia | 3.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Woodhill Elementary Gastonia | 3.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Ridgeview Charter School Gastonia | 4.4 mi | 1.9 |
| Warlick Academy Gastonia | 4.4 mi | 4.9 |
| FIRST WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia | 5.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Webb Street School Gastonia | 5.2 mi | 6.5 |
| York Chester Middle Gastonia | 5.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Stanley Middle Stanley | 4.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Springfield Primary Stanley | 4.7 mi | 5.8 |
| W P Grier Middle School Gastonia | 5.7 mi | 3.2 |
| Sherwood Elementary Gastonia | 6.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Pleasant Ridge Elementary Gastonia | 6.0 mi | 5.5 |
| JUDAH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Stanley | 5.1 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28034 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,969
Median Home Value
$221,000
Median Rent
$841/mo
Population
19,470
College Educated
16.1%
Homeownership
73.4%
Avg Commute
26.3 min
Poverty Rate
10.9%
Median Age
40.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Gaston High has a median household income of $59,969. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $221,000, with a median rent of $841/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Ayden-Grifton High Ayden, NC | 3.7 |
| East Gaston High Mount Holly, NC | 3.7 |
| Harnett Central High Angier, NC | 3.7 |
| Havelock High Havelock, NC | 3.7 |
| James Hunt High Wilson, NC | 3.7 |
| Salisbury High Salisbury, NC | 3.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Gaston High
What grades does North Gaston High serve?
North Gaston High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend North Gaston High?
North Gaston High has an enrollment of approximately 1,083 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Gaston High?
The student-teacher ratio at North Gaston High is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Gaston High rank in NC?
North Gaston High is ranked #2532 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is North Gaston High's MySchoolScout rating?
North Gaston High has a composite rating of 3.7 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 North Gaston High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Gaston High has 37.1% math proficiency and 40.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is North Gaston High a charter school?
No, North Gaston High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Gaston High a Title I school?
No, North Gaston High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Gaston High?
99.3% of students at North Gaston High 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 (Dallas). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,083
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 61
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Gaston County
- Phone
- (704) 922-5285
- 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
- #50 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.
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