Summary:
Zip code 28052 in Gastonia, NC is home to two public high schools serving grades 9-12, both part of Gaston County Schools: Hunter Huss High and Highland School of Technology. These two schools represent opposite ends of the academic spectrum, making this zip code a striking case study in how school choice, admissions, and student demographics can shape outcomes.
Highland School of Technology is the clear academic standout, ranked #5 out of 662 North Carolina high schools for 2025–2026 with perfect or near-perfect proficiency rates in Biology, English II, and Math I. In contrast, Hunter Huss High ranks near the bottom at #593, with proficiency rates in every tested subject well below district and state averages. Highland is a smaller, specialized school with a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio, while Hunter Huss is a large comprehensive high school with an 18.9:1 ratio. The difference in student poverty is stark: only 34% of Highland students qualify for free/reduced lunch, versus 99.7% at Hunter Huss.
Chronic absenteeism tells a similar story, with Hunter Huss at 36% compared to Highland’s last reported rate of 8.3%. One notable bright spot for Hunter Huss is its 89.8% graduation rate, slightly above the state average of 88.8%, suggesting that despite academic challenges, the school helps many students complete their degrees. Hunter Huss also showed year-over-year improvement in Biology and English II proficiency, though Math III declined. For parents, the key takeaway is that zip code alone does not determine school quality in 28052; the choice between a selective technology school and a neighborhood high school makes an enormous difference, and Hunter Huss would likely benefit from additional support to close the gap with its high-performing neighbor.
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