Average
#1141 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 43% in state
W a Bess Elementary School
Elementary School · Gaston County Schools
4340 Beaty Road, Gastonia, NC 28056
Enrollment
641
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
641
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,141 of 2,648
In Gastonia
#5 of 25
public schools
In district
#20 of 56
Gaston County Schools
Academic performance
7.6 / 10
Very Good
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W a Bess Elementary School
Elementary School in Gastonia · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Forestview High
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Gaston Day School
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About W a Bess Elementary School
W a Bess Elementary School is a public elementary school in Gastonia, NC, part of Gaston County Schools. W a Bess Elementary School serves approximately 641 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. W a Bess Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,141 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for W a Bess Elementary School show 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.7 · Average
- District avg 5.8
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
W a Bess Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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: 62%).
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 35 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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 W a Bess Elementary School Compares
See how W a Bess Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 9.4/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oakridge Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Clover), which scores notably higher. Additionally, New Hope Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 6.3 |
| GASTON DAY SCHOOL Gastonia | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Hawks Nest STEAM Academy Gastonia | 2.4 mi | 9.4 |
| Robinson Elementary Gastonia | 2.4 mi | 3.9 |
| Piedmont Community Charter School Gastonia | 3.0 mi | 6.4 |
| New Hope Elementary Gastonia | 3.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Ashbrook High Gastonia | 3.8 mi | 3.9 |
| Cramerton Middle Cramerton | 3.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Gardner Park Elementary Gastonia | 4.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Sherwood Elementary Gastonia | 4.4 mi | 3.4 |
| W P Grier Middle School Gastonia | 4.7 mi | 2.8 |
| Oakridge Elementary Clover | 4.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Oakridge Middle Clover | 4.8 mi | 7.3 |
| GASTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia | 4.9 mi | 5.1 |
| H H Beam Elementary Gastonia | 4.6 mi | 1.7 |
| CRAMERTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Cramerton | 5.0 mi | 6.4 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Gastonia | 4.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Lingerfeldt Elementary Gastonia | 4.9 mi | 3.5 |
| FIRST WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia | 5.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Holbrook Middle Lowell | 5.6 mi | 4.1 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Barnette Elementary Huntersville, NC | 6.7 |
| Camden Intermediate Camden, NC | 6.7 |
| Cape Fear Center for Inquiry Wilmington, NC | 6.7 |
| Catawba Elementary School Catawba, NC | 6.7 |
| First Ward Creative Arts Academy Charlotte, NC | 6.7 |
| Glendale-Kenly Elementary Kenly, NC | 6.7 |
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 ranks #1,141 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is W a Bess Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
W a Bess Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 W a Bess Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, W a Bess Elementary School has 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 16.2%
- Phone
- (704) 866-6075
Resources & Links
District
Gaston County Schools- District Enrollment
- 30,253
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,190
- District Rank
- #20 of 56
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