Needs Improvement
#2594 of 2,648 schools in NC
W P Grier Middle School
Middle School · Gaston County Schools
1622 E Garrison Boulevard, Gastonia, NC 28054
Enrollment
587
Student-Teacher
19.6:1
Score
2.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
587
Student-Teacher
19.6:1
Score
2.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#2,594 of 2,648
In Gastonia
#24 of 25
public schools
In district
#55 of 56
Gaston County Schools
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W P Grier Middle School
Middle School in Gastonia · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Sherwood Elementary
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
First Wesleyan Christian School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About W P Grier Middle School
W P Grier Middle School is a public middle school in Gastonia, NC, part of Gaston County Schools. W P Grier Middle School serves approximately 587 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 19.6:1 student-teacher ratio. W P Grier Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,594 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for W P Grier Middle School show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 2.8 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.4
- NC avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
41% of students at W P Grier Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
W P Grier Middle School — Students at W P Grier Middle School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 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: 3.4/10.
How W P Grier Middle School Compares
See how W P Grier Middle 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
1622 E Garrison Boulevard, Gastonia, NC 28054
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering W P Grier Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. York Chester Middle (rated 5.3/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Holbrook Middle (rated 4.1/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Lowell), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Gastonia, see our Gastonia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sherwood Elementary Gastonia | 0.3 mi | 3.4 |
| FIRST WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Gardner Park Elementary Gastonia | 1.3 mi | 4.3 |
| Piedmont Community Charter School Gastonia | 1.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Ashbrook High Gastonia | 1.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Ridgeview Charter School Gastonia | 2.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Warlick Academy Gastonia | 2.3 mi | 3.4 |
| Woodhill Elementary Gastonia | 2.3 mi | 3.8 |
| York Chester Middle Gastonia | 2.1 mi | 5.3 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Gastonia | 2.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Hawks Nest STEAM Academy Gastonia | 2.7 mi | 9.4 |
| Lingerfeldt Elementary Gastonia | 2.3 mi | 3.5 |
| Brookside Elementary Gastonia | 2.8 mi | 3.6 |
| Robinson Elementary Gastonia | 2.8 mi | 3.9 |
| ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gastonia | 2.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Highland Sch of Technology Gastonia | 2.7 mi | 9.3 |
| Holbrook Middle Lowell | 2.9 mi | 4.1 |
| Pleasant Ridge Elementary Gastonia | 2.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Hunter Huss High Gastonia | 3.1 mi | 3.0 |
| GASTON DAY SCHOOL Gastonia | 3.7 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28054 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,524
Median Home Value
$220,200
Median Rent
$1,150/mo
Population
39,493
College Educated
24.5%
Homeownership
46.8%
Avg Commute
24.6 min
Poverty Rate
13.4%
Median Age
37.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| East Forsyth Middle School Kernersville, NC | 2.8 |
| Flat Rock Middle Winston-Salem, NC | 2.8 |
| Spring Hill Middle Laurinburg, NC | 2.8 |
| West Craven Middle New Bern, NC | 2.8 |
| J. M. Alexander Middle Huntersville, NC | 2.7 |
| Vance County Middle School Henderson, NC | 2.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about W P Grier Middle School
What grades does W P Grier Middle School serve?
W P Grier Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend W P Grier Middle School?
W P Grier Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 587 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at W P Grier Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at W P Grier Middle School is 19.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does W P Grier Middle School rank in NC?
W P Grier Middle School ranks #2,594 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is W P Grier Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
W P Grier Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 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 P Grier Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, W P Grier Middle School has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is W P Grier Middle School a charter school?
No, W P Grier Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is W P Grier Middle School a Title I school?
No, W P Grier Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for W P Grier Middle School?
98.8% of students at W P Grier Middle 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 587
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Gaston County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 40.5%
- Phone
- (704) 836-9604
Resources & Links
District
Gaston County Schools- District Enrollment
- 30,253
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,190
- District Rank
- #55 of 56
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