Average
#1853 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
5.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
381
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
5.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,853 of 2,648
In Gastonia
#11 of 25
public schools
In district
#31 of 56
Gaston County Schools
Shortlisting around York Chester Middle?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
York Chester Middle
Middle School in Gastonia · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
St Michael Catholic School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Victory Christian Academy
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About York Chester Middle
York Chester Middle is a public middle school in Gastonia, NC, part of Gaston County Schools. York Chester Middle serves approximately 381 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio. York Chester Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,853 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for York Chester Middle show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.3 · Average
- District avg 5.4
- NC avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at York Chester Middle sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
38% of students at York Chester Middle 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
York Chester Middle — Students at York Chester Middle score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
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 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: 6.6/10.
How York Chester Middle Compares
See how York Chester Middle 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
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 4.3/10, 1.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, W P Grier Middle School (rated 2.8/10, 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 | 6.9 |
| Lingerfeldt Elementary Gastonia | 1.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Ridgeview Charter School Gastonia | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Hunter Huss High Gastonia | 1.3 mi | 3.0 |
| Webb Street School Gastonia | 1.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Highland Sch of Technology Gastonia | 1.7 mi | 9.3 |
| Woodhill Elementary Gastonia | 1.7 mi | 3.8 |
| FIRST WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gastonia | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Southwest Middle Gastonia | 1.9 mi | 4.3 |
| H H Beam Elementary Gastonia | 2.3 mi | 1.7 |
| W P Grier Middle School Gastonia | 2.1 mi | 2.8 |
| Gaston Virtual Academy Gastonia | 2.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Sherwood Elementary Gastonia | 2.2 mi | 3.4 |
| Piedmont Community Charter School Gastonia | 2.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Robinson Elementary Gastonia | 3.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Hawks Nest STEAM Academy Gastonia | 3.3 mi | 9.4 |
| Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences Dallas | 3.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Brookside Elementary Gastonia | 3.5 mi | 3.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Chowan Middle Tyner, NC | 5.3 |
| Dunn Middle Dunn, NC | 5.3 |
| East Yancey Middle Burnsville, NC | 5.3 |
| Gravelly Hill Middle Efland, NC | 5.3 |
| Mill Creek Middle Claremont, NC | 5.3 |
| Rocky Mount Middle Rocky Mount, NC | 5.3 |
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 ranks #1,853 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is York Chester Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
York Chester Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 York Chester Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, York Chester Middle has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 37.8%
- Phone
- (704) 836-9609
Resources & Links
District
Gaston County Schools- District Enrollment
- 30,253
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,190
- District Rank
- #31 of 56
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated 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.