It’s back to school time for Gaston County Schools

Students return to class on Wednesday, August 13 to begin the 2025-2026 school year

It’s back-to-school time in Gaston County!  On Wednesday, August 13, more than 30,000 students (pre-kindergarten t through high school) and approximately 1,900 teachers return to class in Gaston County Schools to begin the 2025-2026 academic year.

Students, parents, and school employees are looking ahead to the new school year with enthusiasm and optimism. It is the goal of all teachers and employees to provide quality learning opportunities for students at the district’s 56 schools. Elementary schools operate from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., and middle schools and high schools operate from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Parents should check with their child’s school for the exact schedule as start/end times for some schools may vary.

Superintendent of Schools Morgen A. Houchard stated, “The new school year is here, and we are excited and ready for a great year of quality teaching and learning in Gaston County Schools. Our schools are committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and productive environment where students can learn, grow, and thrive every single day in academics, athletics, the fine arts, extracurricular activities, and service to the community.”

Dr. Houchard added, “As we anticipate the new year, we are committed to placing a renewed emphasis on the importance of higher academic achievement and ensuring that every student experiences success. I sincerely appreciate what our teachers, administrators, and all employees have done to prepare for the start of school, and I am confident that, as we move forward, we will continue to improve our schools and be able to celebrate the many accomplishments of our students and employees.”

The school district has worked diligently over the summer to hire employees for teaching and non-teaching positions. Currently, there are 49 teaching vacancies; at this time last year, the district had 73 teaching vacancies, and there were 115 teaching vacancies at the start of school two years ago. Having more job fairs during the school year, being involved in community, regional, and college hiring/recruitment activities, and bringing more attention to vacancies and job fairs contributed to having the lowest teacher vacancy rate at the start of school in three
years.

Additionally, there are 26 openings for school bus drivers (this is typical; at any given time, the district has 20-25 vacancies for bus drivers). The school district’s two-tier model for bus transportation has addressed the ongoing shortage of bus drivers over the past several years. The two-tier model makes it possible for a bus driver to complete two routes in the morning and two routes in the afternoon rather than just one – a driver has an elementary route first and then a middle school or a high school route.

Parents will receive information from their child’s school about bus routes, pick-up and drop-off times, bus rules and expectations, etc. If a parent has a question or concern about bus transportation, the parent is encouraged to contact the school office and/or the principal. Parents are asked to be patient and understanding during the first few weeks of school as schools adjust bus routes, stops, and schedules based on ridership.

With the start of a new year, motorists are reminded about the likelihood of heavy traffic near schools in the early morning and mid-afternoon hours.  It is important for motorists to decrease speed in school zones, watch for pedestrians, and use caution when they see a school bus. Whenever a school bus is stopped (with stop sign extended and red lights flashing) to pick up or drop off students, motorists must stop for the bus – it is unlawful to pass a stopped school bus.

Back-To-School Highlights 
Here is a look at some back-to-school highlights for Gaston County Schools:
 
▪ Grand opening of W.P. Grier Middle School
Gaston County Schools will conduct a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, August 7 at 4:30 p.m. to mark the grand opening of the new building for W.P. Grier Middle School in Gastonia. The community is invited, and attendees may tour the building after the ceremony.

The new school is located on 25 acres of land along East Garrison Boulevard, adjacent to the old building, on what once was the football field.  After the old school is demolished, a new sports complex will be built, featuring football, softball, and baseball fields.
 
The two-story school can house 1,000 students with the ability to accommodate as many as 1,200.  It includes more than 40 contemporary classrooms with plenty of space for hands-on and collaborative learning; various instructional, office, and conference spaces; a multi-use media center and library; a large cafeteria and multipurpose room; and a modern gymnasium.  The campus also features an improved traffic flow pattern and more space for parking.
 
The cost to build the new Grier campus is estimated at $50-$60 million.  School bonds, which were approved by voters in May 2018, are paying for the new school. The new Grier is part of the Gaston County Board of Education’s efforts to replace aging school campuses that are being used as middle schools.  Grier is the third middle school facility to be replaced in recent years – a new Stanley Middle opened in March 2018, and a new Belmont Middle opened in August 2021.
 
The school, which opened in 1956, is named for W.P. Grier, who was the superintendent of the Gastonia City Schools for 20 years (1921-1941).
 
▪ Introduction of Innovation Schools
Gaston County Schools is introducing its Innovation Schools, which is an intense, academic-focused initiative that  involves 10 schools: H.H. Beam Elementary, Bessemer City Central Elementary, Lingerfeldt Elementary, Pleasant Ridge Elementary, Sherwood Elementary, Woodhill Elementary, W.P. Grier Middle, Southwest Middle, Ashbrook High, and Hunter Huss High.

All stakeholders (administrators, teachers, staff, parents, etc.) associated with an Innovation School are challenged to embrace change and think with strategy, act with intent, and work with enthusiasm to reach a common goal of improving student achievement. Everything done at an Innovation School relates to working collaboratively on strengthening instructional practices, elevating the school setting, and achieving higher academic performance and growth.

The schools chosen for the initiative have performed below academic expectations in recent
years. The Innovation Schools will benefit from a purposeful effort associated with leadership,
support, professional development, and resources to improve students’ academic success.

▪ Implementation of the Infinite Campus student information system
Gaston County Schools is implementing the Infinite Campus student information system beginning with the 2025-2026 year.  Through Infinite Campus, parents will have access to important student information, including schedules, attendance records, and grades.

School districts across North Carolina are transitioning to Infinite Campus. The state-mandated change from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus is intended to provide a new, modern system for student information. During the transition, parents will not have access immediately to Infinite Campus.  Limiting parent access is necessary to ensure that the student information going from the old system to the new system is verified before it “goes live” for parents.

Parent access to Infinite Campus will be limited during the first nine weeks of school; schools will be sharing information with parents about how to stay up-to-date on their child’s attendance, grades, etc. during this time.  Additionally, parents should feel free to call or email their child’s teacher whenever they have a question or concern about their child’s progress. Once the verification process is complete, parents will be given access information about how to use the new Parent Portal feature in Infinite Campus.

▪ AI (Artificial Intelligence) training for teachers
With the increased use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in everyday life, schools are exploring how AI can influence teaching and learning. This school year, Gaston County Schools will provide AI literacy training for teachers and staff so they understand how to use AI in a school setting. The training is intended to show educators how AI can be a resourceful tool when it comes to planning activities and encouraging student engagement in learning. The training also will highlight how educators can ensure the safe, responsible, and effective use of AI.

▪ Summertime repair and renovation projects
A number of school repairs and renovations were completed this summer ahead of the new school year. The projects included new lighting, freezer/cooler replacements, kitchen piping and drain work, boiler/chiller upgrades, fencing, outdoor drainage, and the installation of water bottle filling stations at several schools. In the months ahead, interior painting at six schools (Pinewood Elementary, Springfield Elementary, Costner Elementary, Carr Elementary, W.A. Bess Elementary, and Southwest Middle) is planned as well as roofing repairs, upgrades to HVAC systems, and work on a canopy/walkway at Holbrook Middle School.