Average
#1885 of 2,648 schools in NC
Pleasant Ridge Elementary
Elementary School · Gaston County Schools
1260 Floyd Lane, Gastonia, NC 28052
Enrollment
882
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
882
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gastonia
#11 of 25
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,241 of 1,474
In district
#34 of 56
Gaston County Schools
About Pleasant Ridge Elementary
Pleasant Ridge Elementary serves 882 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Gastonia, North Carolina. This regular public school operates with 50 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 17.6 to 1, which allows for reasonable class sizes in this busy elementary environment. The school is working to strengthen academic outcomes, with 39% of students performing at or above proficient levels in English Language Arts and 49% achieving proficiency in mathematics.
With room for academic growth, Pleasant Ridge Elementary focuses on supporting its diverse student body through various educational initiatives. The school ranks in the 22nd percentile among North Carolina elementary schools, reflecting opportunities for continued improvement in student achievement. Located at 1260 Floyd Lane, Pleasant Ridge Elementary sits in the heart of a working-class community where the median household income is $44,448 and median home values average $152,800.
The surrounding neighborhood, with a population of nearly 36,000 residents, faces economic challenges with a 22.1% poverty rate, while 15% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher. This small city setting in Gaston County provides a close-knit community atmosphere where families and educators work together to support student success.
Score Breakdown
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Pleasant Ridge Elementary — Students at Pleasant Ridge Elementary score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.7%
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: 6.0/10.
How Pleasant Ridge Elementary Compares
See how Pleasant Ridge Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 33% (2019) to 49.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 40% (2019) to 39.3% (2025).
Location
1260 Floyd Lane, Gastonia, NC 28052
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pleasant Ridge Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hawks Nest STEAM Academy (rated 8.1/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Chapel Grove Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Gastonia, see our Gastonia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gastonia | 0.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Hunter Huss High Gastonia | 0.7 mi | 3.1 |
| York Chester Middle Gastonia | 0.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Webb Street School Gastonia | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Lingerfeldt Elementary Gastonia | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Gastonia | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Southwest Middle Gastonia | 1.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Gaston Virtual Academy Gastonia | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
| H H Beam Elementary Gastonia | 1.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Ridgeview Charter School Gastonia | 1.9 mi | 1.9 |
| Highland Sch of Technology Gastonia | 2.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Woodhill Elementary Gastonia | 2.4 mi | 4.6 |
| FIRST WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia | 2.3 mi | 6.1 |
| W P Grier Middle School Gastonia | 2.9 mi | 3.2 |
| Sherwood Elementary Gastonia | 2.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Edward D Sadler Jr Elementary School Gastonia | 3.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Robinson Elementary Gastonia | 3.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Hawks Nest STEAM Academy Gastonia | 3.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Piedmont Community Charter School Gastonia | 3.3 mi | 4.4 |
| Chapel Grove Elementary Gastonia | 3.8 mi | 6.2 |
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 Pleasant Ridge Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| C.F. Pope Elementary Burgaw, NC | 5.5 |
| Classical Charter Schools of Leland Leland, NC | 5.5 |
| David D Jones Elementary Greensboro, NC | 5.5 |
| Pinewood Elementary Charlotte, NC | 5.5 |
| Rockfish Hoke Elementary Raeford, NC | 5.5 |
| West Columbus School Cerro Gordo, NC | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pleasant Ridge Elementary
What grades does Pleasant Ridge Elementary serve?
Pleasant Ridge Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Pleasant Ridge Elementary?
Pleasant Ridge Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 882 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pleasant Ridge Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Pleasant Ridge Elementary is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pleasant Ridge Elementary rank in NC?
Pleasant Ridge Elementary is ranked #1885 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Pleasant Ridge Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Pleasant Ridge Elementary has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Pleasant Ridge Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pleasant Ridge Elementary has 44.4% math proficiency and 38.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pleasant Ridge Elementary a charter school?
No, Pleasant Ridge Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pleasant Ridge Elementary a Title I school?
No, Pleasant Ridge Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pleasant Ridge Elementary?
99.7% of students at Pleasant Ridge Elementary 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
- City Safety
- High (4,390/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Gastonia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 882
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 50
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Gaston County
- Phone
- (704) 866-6096
- 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
- #34 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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