Average
#1831 of 2,648 schools in NC
York Chester Middle
Middle School · Gaston County Schools
601 S Clay Street, Gastonia, NC 28052
Enrollment
381
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
381
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
5.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gastonia
#10 of 25
public schools
North Carolina middle schools
#297 of 475
In district
#32 of 56
Gaston County Schools
About York Chester Middle
York Chester Middle is a regular public middle school located in Gastonia, North Carolina. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 381 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1. York Chester Middle is staffed by 24 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to provide quality education in the heart of Gastonia.
The academic performance at York Chester Middle shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2109 out of 2661 schools in North Carolina. In terms of standardized testing, students scored 33% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 38% proficient or above in Math. The school is dedicated to enhancing its academic programs to better support student development.
York Chester Middle is situated in a small city setting within Gaston County, offering a community atmosphere that fosters connections between families and the educational environment.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
York Chester Middle — Students at York Chester Middle score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.4%
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: 6.7/10.
How York Chester Middle Compares
See how York Chester Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 30% (2019) to 42.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 29% (2019) to 35.9% (2025).
Location
601 S Clay Street, Gastonia, NC 28052
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering York Chester Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Southwest Middle (rated 3.7/10, 1.9 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, W P Grier Middle School (rated 3.2/10, 2.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Gastonia, see our Gastonia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gastonia | 0.7 mi | 8.1 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Gastonia | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Pleasant Ridge Elementary Gastonia | 0.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Lingerfeldt Elementary Gastonia | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Ridgeview Charter School Gastonia | 1.1 mi | 1.9 |
| Hunter Huss High Gastonia | 1.3 mi | 3.1 |
| Webb Street School Gastonia | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Highland Sch of Technology Gastonia | 1.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Woodhill Elementary Gastonia | 1.7 mi | 4.6 |
| FIRST WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Southwest Middle Gastonia | 1.9 mi | 3.7 |
| H H Beam Elementary Gastonia | 2.3 mi | 3.6 |
| W P Grier Middle School Gastonia | 2.1 mi | 3.2 |
| Gaston Virtual Academy Gastonia | 2.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Sherwood Elementary Gastonia | 2.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Piedmont Community Charter School Gastonia | 2.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Robinson Elementary Gastonia | 3.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Hawks Nest STEAM Academy Gastonia | 3.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences Dallas | 3.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Brookside Elementary Gastonia | 3.5 mi | 5.6 |
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 York Chester Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Anson Middle Wadesboro, NC | 5.6 |
| Rochelle Middle Kinston, NC | 5.6 |
| Starmount Middle Boonville, NC | 5.6 |
| Discovery Charter Durham, NC | 5.5 |
| East Yancey Middle Burnsville, NC | 5.5 |
| Smithfield Middle Smithfield, NC | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about York Chester Middle
What grades does York Chester Middle serve?
York Chester Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend York Chester Middle?
York Chester Middle has an enrollment of approximately 381 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at York Chester Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at York Chester Middle is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does York Chester Middle rank in NC?
York Chester Middle is ranked #1831 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is York Chester Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
York Chester Middle has a composite rating of 5.6 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 York Chester Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, York Chester Middle has 37.8% math proficiency and 32.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is York Chester Middle a charter school?
No, York Chester Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is York Chester Middle a Title I school?
No, York Chester Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for York Chester Middle?
98.4% of students at York Chester Middle 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
- 381
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Gaston County
- Phone
- (704) 836-9609
- 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
- #32 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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