Average
#1775 of 2,648 schools in NC
W a Bess Elementary School
Elementary School · Gaston County Schools
4340 Beaty Road, Gastonia, NC 28056
Enrollment
641
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
641
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gastonia
#8 of 25
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,199 of 1,474
In district
#30 of 56
Gaston County Schools
Academic performance
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About W a Bess Elementary School
W A Bess Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Gastonia, North Carolina, nestled in a rural area near the town. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade with an enrollment of 641 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16:1. With 40 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, W A Bess Elementary offers a supportive learning environment where each child receives individual attention.
Academically, the school has received a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.8 out of 10 and is ranked at #1237 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it around the 54th percentile statewide. The academic score stands at 7.4/10, with 59% of students proficient or above in ELA and reading, and 65% meeting proficiency standards in math. These results show there is room for growth but also indicate a solid foundation for student development.
W A Bess Elementary School is set in a rural setting near the town of Gastonia, providing a close-knit community feel where students can thrive both academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, W a Bess Elementary School 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
W a Bess Elementary School — Students at W a Bess Elementary School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.7%
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
→ 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: 4.7/10.
How W a Bess Elementary School Compares
See how W a Bess Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 61% (2019) to 69.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 61% (2019) to 59.5% (2025).
Location
4340 Beaty Road, Gastonia, NC 28056
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering W a Bess Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hawks Nest STEAM Academy (rated 8.1/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is New Hope Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Oakridge Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Clover), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Gastonia, see our Gastonia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Forestview High Gastonia | 0.3 mi | 4.4 |
| GASTON DAY SCHOOL Gastonia | 1.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Hawks Nest STEAM Academy Gastonia | 2.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Robinson Elementary Gastonia | 2.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Piedmont Community Charter School Gastonia | 3.0 mi | 4.4 |
| New Hope Elementary Gastonia | 3.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Ashbrook High Gastonia | 3.8 mi | 3.0 |
| Cramerton Middle Cramerton | 3.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Gardner Park Elementary Gastonia | 4.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Sherwood Elementary Gastonia | 4.4 mi | 5.9 |
| W P Grier Middle School Gastonia | 4.7 mi | 3.2 |
| Oakridge Elementary Clover | 4.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Oakridge Middle Clover | 4.8 mi | 6.7 |
| GASTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia | 4.9 mi | 5.0 |
| H H Beam Elementary Gastonia | 4.6 mi | 3.6 |
| CRAMERTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cramerton | 5.0 mi | 6.4 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Gastonia | 4.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Lingerfeldt Elementary Gastonia | 4.9 mi | 5.0 |
| FIRST WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia | 5.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Holbrook Middle Lowell | 5.6 mi | 3.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28056 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,422
Median Home Value
$283,800
Median Rent
$1,097/mo
Population
35,963
College Educated
33%
Homeownership
79.3%
Avg Commute
27.5 min
Poverty Rate
7.5%
Median Age
41.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding W a Bess Elementary School has a median household income of $90,422. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $283,800, with a median rent of $1,097/month. The local poverty rate of 7.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Balfour Elementary Asheboro, NC | 5.7 |
| Briarwood Academy Charlotte, NC | 5.7 |
| Endeavor Charter School Wake Forest, NC | 5.7 |
| Haw River Elementary Haw River, NC | 5.7 |
| Indian Trail Elementary Indian Trail, NC | 5.7 |
| Long Mill Elementary Youngsville, NC | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about W a Bess Elementary School
What grades does W a Bess Elementary School serve?
W a Bess Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend W a Bess Elementary School?
W a Bess Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 641 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at W a Bess Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at W a Bess Elementary School is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does W a Bess Elementary School rank in NC?
W a Bess Elementary School is ranked #1775 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is W a Bess Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
W a Bess Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.7 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 W a Bess Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, W a Bess Elementary School has 65.4% math proficiency and 59.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is W a Bess Elementary School a charter school?
No, W a Bess Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is W a Bess Elementary School a Title I school?
No, W a Bess Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for W a Bess Elementary School?
47.7% of students at W a Bess Elementary School 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
- 641
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 47.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Gaston County
- Phone
- (704) 866-6075
- 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
- #30 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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.