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Register your child for kindergarten
Kindergarten registration for the 2026-2027 school year is open!
Budget Information
A number of school systems across North Carolina are experiencing budgetary constraints – Gaston County Schools is not immune to this situation. Visit this webpage for information.
You’re Invited: Evening of Excellence
The 2026 Evening of Excellence awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 23 at 6:30 p.m. at Stuart W. Cramer High School.
Sponsored by Truist, the ceremony celebrates outstanding educators; all employees in Gaston County Schools are invited to attend.
Belmont Middle School
Congratulations to the Belmont Middle School robotics team for earning the overall middle school championship at RoboGaston, held Saturday, March 28, at Forestview High School.
New Hope Elementary
Congratulations to the New Hope Elementary robotics team for earning the overall elementary school championship at RoboGaston, held Saturday, March 28, at Forestview High School.
Hunter Huss claims state championship
Congratulations to the Hunter Huss High School boys basketball team for winning the 5A state championship with a 103-69 victory over Fike High School.
Cramerton Middle School
Congratulations to the Cramerton Middle School Math Elite team on placing first in the district competition.
Pleasant Ridge Elementary
Congratulations to the Pleasant Ridge Elementary Math Masters team for placing first in the district competition. We are proud of you.
Pleasant Ridge Elementary
Congratulations to the Pleasant Ridge Elementary Battle of the Books team for placing first in the district competition. The team will advance to the regional competition on April 14.
It’s cool to be in school
Good school attendance matters for both students and teachers/staff. Showing up every day is the most important aspect of school, and it has a direct link to a student’s academic and future success. Bottom line, teachers cannot teach and students cannot learn if they are not at school.
Record-high graduation rate
Gaston County Schools has achieved its highest graduation rate ever – 88.8 percent. Our graduation rate is higher than the state graduation rate of 87.7 percent for the Class of 2025.
Action-packed academics
Not all heroes wear capes. Our teachers are the superheroes of public education, and they guarantee a 2025-2026 school year that’s filled with action-packed lessons and activities that take teaching and learning to a higher level.
Way to go, marching band seniors!
It is a tradition for the Marching Band Fanfare to conclude with the senior members of our high school bands coming together for a group picture.
In Pictures: Marching Band Fanfare
A new approach for classroom management
Twelve of our schools are using a research-based approach called no-nonsense nurturing to help teachers with classroom management. In their role as no non-sense nurturers, teachers are creating a structured and consistent classroom environment for students that focuses on engagement, respect, and academic success.
Providing care for students at school
Thanks to our partnership with Kintegra Health, we offer a telehealth clinic here at our school. Students, who are experiencing a minor illness or condition, can be seen by a medical provider virtually.
Stay Updated
Stay informed with the latest news and updates from Gaston County Schools.
District News
![A graphic displaying dollar signs.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1774452429/gastonk12ncus/wedelza8znwdrbbswwgo/budgethumbnail.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1774452429/gastonk12ncus/wedelza8znwdrbbswwgo/budgethumbnail.jpg","width":380}])
Gaston County Schools is receiving $10 million from the Gaston County Commissioners to address budget needs.
![A picture of the awards at the Evening of Excellence ceremony.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1772757096/gastonk12ncus/k9hrzxris5bmpedlwg4p/1L8A0537_EveningofExcellenceAwards2025.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1772757096/gastonk12ncus/k9hrzxris5bmpedlwg4p/1L8A0537_EveningofExcellenceAwards2025.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1772757096/gastonk12ncus/k9hrzxris5bmpedlwg4p/1L8A0537_EveningofExcellenceAwards2025.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1772757096/gastonk12ncus/k9hrzxris5bmpedlwg4p/1L8A0537_EveningofExcellenceAwards2025.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1772757096/gastonk12ncus/k9hrzxris5bmpedlwg4p/1L8A0537_EveningofExcellenceAwards2025.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1772757096/gastonk12ncus/k9hrzxris5bmpedlwg4p/1L8A0537_EveningofExcellenceAwards2025.jpg","width":2200}])
Gaston County Schools is pleased to announce the finalists for its “Of the Year” awards for 2026-2027.
![Paul Sayegh spelled the word “alchemy” to win the Gaston County Schools spelling bee for the second consecutive year.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1771424199/gastonk12ncus/sgoh5pqroyuejywlc2at/paulsayeghspellingbeewinner26thumbnail.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1771424199/gastonk12ncus/sgoh5pqroyuejywlc2at/paulsayeghspellingbeewinner26thumbnail.jpg","width":380}])
Paul Sayegh spelled the word “alchemy” to win the Gaston County Schools spelling bee for the second consecutive year.
![John Ramos shakes Superintendent Dr. Houchard's hand after being named the Gaston County Schools' 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1770932561/gastonk12ncus/d4ao0cowqhb1rlqykwiz/johnramos2026.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1770932561/gastonk12ncus/d4ao0cowqhb1rlqykwiz/johnramos2026.jpg","width":380}])
Ten educators are one step closer to earning our most prestigious award.
![Jillian Schultheis of East Gaston High School was the overall winner at the Gaston Regional Science and Engineering Fair.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1768422834/gastonk12ncus/idxqhdmmjcgzyeoh7y6m/hssciencefairoverallwinner_2026.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1768422834/gastonk12ncus/idxqhdmmjcgzyeoh7y6m/hssciencefairoverallwinner_2026.jpg","width":380}])
Middle school and high school students win awards at the science and engineering fair.
![Two East Gaston High School students play an instrument at the Marching Band Fanfare.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1762443859/gastonk12ncus/rwfkqpxpgfa9rbnbftwh/eastgastonmarchingbandfanfarethumb.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1762443859/gastonk12ncus/rwfkqpxpgfa9rbnbftwh/eastgastonmarchingbandfanfarethumb.jpg","width":380}])
The Gaston County Schools Marching Band Fanfare showcased crowd-pleasing performances by our high school bands.
![Bethany Jennings of Stuart W. Cramer High School was recognized for being selected as the 2025 N.C. High School Choral Teacher of the Year.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1766076403/gastonk12ncus/ycg5plswvyjcbwcpxe8l/jenningsthumbnailforgoodnews.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1766076403/gastonk12ncus/ycg5plswvyjcbwcpxe8l/jenningsthumbnailforgoodnews.jpg","width":380}])
Find out who was recognized during the November and December meetings.
![Corina Woods of Costner Elementary School poses next to her project after receiving a perfect score on her science fair project.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1765390010/gastonk12ncus/s7bmmqiktsnjno9jy26u/Woods_ScienceFairOverallWinner_Day2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1765390010/gastonk12ncus/s7bmmqiktsnjno9jy26u/Woods_ScienceFairOverallWinner_Day2.jpg","width":380}])
Research, creativity, problem-solving, and discovery were on display at the Gaston Regional Science and Engineering Fair.
Announcements
Webb Street School will host its annual Plant Sale April 13-17 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Saturday, April 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The event supports students who work throughout the year to grow and prepare the plants. Their efforts help make the sale a success while providing hands-on learning experiences.
Community members are encouraged to attend and support the students by purchasing plants during the sale. Visitors should enter the school from May Street.
Kindergarten enrollment for the 2026-27 school year is open. Families can complete the application by visiting the registration page.
The Board of Education approved the 2026-27 school calendar. The calendar was adopted during the board meeting on December 15, 2025, and revised March 16, 2026, to change the optional teacher workday from June 1, 2027, to August 4, 2026. You may view and print the calendar using the calendar link on this page.
The Board of Education will meet on Monday, April 20, at 5:30 p.m. at the Gaston County Schools Central Office, 943 Osceola Street, Gastonia. The public is invited to attend.
The annual enrollment period for the Gaston County Schools Benefits Plan is March 23 through May 29, 2026. Elections made during this time will take effect for the plan year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. For more information visit the Pierce Group Benefits website.
Why Gaston County Schools?
We provide outstanding educational opportunities for our students.
Academics
Our students have access to a variety of programs and courses, including Advanced Placement (AP), college prep, and other classes.
Athletics
Athletics is a source of pride for Gaston County Schools and the community. Our teams consistently capture county, regional, and state championships.
Career and Technical Education
Classes ranging from health science and welding to automotive, carpentry, and cosmetology allow hands-on learning in a variety of career fields.
College Prep
Students can take Advanced Placement (AP) classes, enroll in courses offered through Gaston College, and participate in online AP and college classes.
Fine Arts
We offer a fine arts program where students can explore their creativity and develop their talents in chorus, band, art, dance, and theater.
Magnet School and Academies
We have 17 magnet schools and academies that focus on careers, college prep, health sciences, leadership, performing arts, STEAM, and other areas.
School Safety
School safety, alongside academic achievement, continues to be a priority for our schools.
Student Support
We provide a range of student support services to help meet students’ academic, social, and emotional needs.
