Summary:
ZIP code 28056, in the Gastonia area of North Carolina, is home to three public elementary schools — W A Bess Elementary School, New Hope Elementary, and Robinson Elementary — serving grades PK–5 or K–5 within Gaston County Schools.
Families in this area will find striking differences between schools that share a ZIP code. New Hope Elementary is the academic leader, ranking in the 86th percentile statewide with strong math and reading scores, the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (7.8%), and a much lower poverty rate (34% free/reduced lunch). W A Bess Elementary School is the most impressive success story: despite serving a student body where nearly 100% qualify for free/reduced lunch, it ranks in the 82nd percentile and has improved dramatically over two years, jumping from the 62nd to the 82nd percentile. Meanwhile, Robinson Elementary lags behind, ranking in the 39th percentile with math and reading proficiency well below district and state averages — even though it has the smallest class sizes and the highest per-student spending of the three. Robinson also has the highest chronic absenteeism rate at 17.9%, more than double New Hope’s.
For parents, the key takeaway is that school quality varies widely within this small area. New Hope and W A Bess both earn 4-star ratings and outperform the district, which itself has a 2-star rating. Robinson, however, remains in need of support despite receiving more resources. One interesting bright spot: Robinson’s 5th-grade science scores are nearly as high as W A Bess’s, even though its math and reading scores are much lower, suggesting a possible area of strength to build on. W A Bess proves that high poverty does not have to mean low performance, and its rapid upward trajectory makes it one to watch. New Hope, while still the top school, has seen a slight decline in its percentile over three years. Overall, families in 28056 have access to two high-performing elementary schools and one that may require closer attention.
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