For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public middle schools serving 4,843 students in Gastonia, NC.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Gastonia, NC are Piedmont Community Charter School, Gaston Virtual Academy and Southwest Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Gastonia, NC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the North Carolina public middle school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 50% statewide average). Middle schools in Gastonia have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 65% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public middle school average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Gastonia, NC (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Piedmont Community Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2596 Robinwood Road
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 853-2428
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 853-2428
Gr: K-12 | 1,940 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #22.
Gaston Virtual Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1 Learning Place
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 836-9125
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 836-9125
Gr: K-12 | 323 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #33.
Southwest Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1 Roadrunner Drive
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6290
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6290
Gr: 6-8 | 809 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #44.
York Chester Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
601 S Clay Street
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 836-9609
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 836-9609
Gr: 6-8 | 381 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #55.
W P Grier Middle School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1622 E Garrison Boulevard
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 836-9604
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 836-9604
Gr: 6-8 | 587 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #66.
Ridgeview Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
207 W. Bradley St.
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 867-6635
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 867-6635
Gr: K-8 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #77.
Webb Street School
Special Education School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1623 N Webb Street
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 864-9667
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 864-9667
Gr: PK-12 | 161 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #88.
Warlick Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1316 Spencer Mountain Road
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 836-9608
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 836-9608
Gr: 6-12 | 153 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: n/an/a
1 Learning Place
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6100
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6100
Gr: K-8 | 189 students Minority enrollment: 71%
Gastonia, North Carolina Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
1621 N Webb Street
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6073
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6073
Gr: PK-5 | 364 students Minority enrollment: 64%
1 Learning Place
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6079
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6079
Gr: PK-5 | 410 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
3430 Robinwood Rd
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-8467
Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-8467
Gr: 4-5 | 172 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
Highland Charter (Closed 2013)
Charter School
324 North Highland Stree
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 852-7047
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 852-7047
Gr: K-5 | 114 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
1900 W Davidson Avenue
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6098
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-6098
Gr: PK-5 | 478 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Gastonia, NC?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Gastonia, NC include Piedmont Community Charter School, Gaston Virtual Academy and Southwest Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Gastonia?
9 public middle schools are located in Gastonia.
What is the racial composition of students in Gastonia?
Gastonia public middle schools minority enrollment is 65% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the North Carolina public middle schools average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Gastonia are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Gastonia include: W P Grier Middle School vs. Southwest Middle School, Southwest Middle School vs. W P Grier Middle School
Recent Articles
What It Takes to Run a 91果冻传媒 Day-to-Day
Explore what it takes to run a public school daily, from leadership and staffing to budgeting, safety, and student support systems.
Restorative Justice in Schools: What the Data Shows
Explore restorative justice in schools, including discipline data, outcomes, and implementation insights for educators and families.
Year-Round School Calendars: Pros, Cons, Research
Explore year-round school calendars, including benefits, drawbacks, and what academic research says about student outcomes.
