Needs Improvement
#2600 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
3.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
587
Student-Teacher
19.6:1
Score
3.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gastonia
#22 of 25
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#469 of 475
In district
#53 of 56
Gaston County Schools
About W P Grier Middle School
W P Grier Middle School is a regular public school located in Gastonia, North Carolina. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 587 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.6:1 with 30 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 1.8 out of 10, reflecting its state ranking at #2620 among the 2661 schools in North Carolina, placing it in the second percentile overall.
In terms of academic performance, W P Grier Middle School reports that 28% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading and 26% are proficient or above in Math. While these numbers suggest areas for improvement, the school remains committed to student development and growth. Located in a small city setting within Gaston County, W P Grier Middle School is part of the community it serves, offering its students an environment that supports their educational journey as they transition through middle school years.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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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: 45%).
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 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: 3.8/10.
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
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2019) to 26% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 28% (2019) to 28.5% (2025).
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 5.6/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Holbrook Middle (rated 3.7/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Lowell), which scores slightly 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 | 5.9 |
| FIRST WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Gardner Park Elementary Gastonia | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Piedmont Community Charter School Gastonia | 1.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Ashbrook High Gastonia | 1.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Ridgeview Charter School Gastonia | 2.0 mi | 1.9 |
| Warlick Academy Gastonia | 2.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Woodhill Elementary Gastonia | 2.3 mi | 4.6 |
| York Chester Middle Gastonia | 2.1 mi | 5.6 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Gastonia | 2.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Hawks Nest STEAM Academy Gastonia | 2.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Lingerfeldt Elementary Gastonia | 2.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Brookside Elementary Gastonia | 2.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Robinson Elementary Gastonia | 2.8 mi | 5.2 |
| ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gastonia | 2.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Highland Sch of Technology Gastonia | 2.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Holbrook Middle Lowell | 2.9 mi | 3.7 |
| Pleasant Ridge Elementary Gastonia | 2.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Hunter Huss High Gastonia | 3.1 mi | 3.1 |
| GASTON DAY SCHOOL Gastonia | 3.7 mi | 7.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding W P Grier Middle School has a median household income of $59,524. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $220,200, with a median rent of $1,150/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.4%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Saint Pauls Middle Saint Pauls, NC | 3.2 |
| Southeast Middle Salisbury, NC | 3.2 |
| J. M. Alexander Middle Huntersville, NC | 3.3 |
| Sandy Grove Middle Lumber Bridge, NC | 3.3 |
| Troutman Middle Troutman, NC | 3.1 |
| Albemarle Middle Albemarle, NC | 3.0 |
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 is ranked #2600 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is W P Grier Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
W P Grier Middle School has a composite rating of 3.2 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 P Grier Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, W P Grier Middle School has 25.9% math proficiency and 28.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (4,390/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Gastonia). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (704) 836-9604
- 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
- #53 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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