Summary:
Zip code 35901, in the Gadsden, Alabama area, is served by a single high school, Gaston High School, which enrolls 380 students in grades 7 through 12 as part of the Etowah County school district.
For parents considering this area, the most striking feature of Gaston High School is its perfect 100% graduation rate, which far exceeds both the district (96.5%) and state (91.5%) averages. This is a remarkable achievement, especially given that nearly 64% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. However, this success in graduating students contrasts sharply with academic proficiency scores that consistently trail state benchmarks. In the most recent testing year, only 5.66% of 11th graders were proficient in math (compared to 27.21% statewide), and 11th grade English proficiency was 13.46% versus the state's 33.73%. The school's state ranking has also declined over three years, from the 39th percentile to the 20th percentile, indicating a downward trend in relative performance.
There are a few bright spots and areas of concern to note. Eighth grade science proficiency (40%) was closer to the state average (54.12%) than most other subjects, and in a prior year, 8th grade English actually exceeded the state average—though that gain did not hold. Chronic absenteeism is a significant issue at 19.3%, well above the district (15.0%) and state (12.0%) rates, which likely contributes to the academic struggles. With a 19:1 student-teacher ratio and per-student spending of $11,715, the school may benefit from additional instructional support, particularly in mathematics. Ultimately, Gaston High School excels at ensuring students graduate, but parents should be aware that the academic preparation, especially in upper-level math and English, may require supplemental support to ensure college and career readiness.
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