Jamie Killian
School Days: Gaston County's Charter and Magnet School Offerings at a Glance
This article is a part of our School Days series where we will walk you through schools on a county-wide basis from tution-based, charter/magnet programs and neighborhood schools and school choice programs within the public school system.
As Gaston County grows, so does the need for school choice. Whether you are looking for private or tuiton-based, public or charters and magnet programs, Gaston County has quite the list to choose from.
Students and parents have a wide variety of social, emotional and logistical needs that can often be served in charter and magnet programs as these schools have the freedom and flexibility to choose and implement their own curriculum, allowing diversity in school choice. Charter schools are independent of the school system, while the five stand-along magnets operate within the Gaston County School system (with 21 school choice programs within traditional schools).
Below, we explore these options, all of which are tuition-free public schools requiring an application for admittance, often through a lottery system.
Charter Schools
Community Public Charter School
Address: 400 Ralph Handsel Blvd., Stanley
Bell Schedule: 7:55 a.m.-2:45 p.m.
Grades: K-7
Student population: 82+
Student/teacher ratio: 25:1 (lower in elementary)
Curriculum: Core Knowledge Sequence in a collaborative environment with teachers taking the role of facilitators in a hands-on, manipulatives-centric environment.
Lottery: applications begin in November (current applicants will be added to waitlist)
Mountain Island Charter School
Address: 13440 Lucia-Riverbend Hwy., Mount Holly
Bell Schedule: 8:20 a.m. -3:20 p.m. (elementary); 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Grades: K-12
Student population: 1400 students
Student/teacher ratio: 17:1
Extracurriculars: Art club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Girls Who Code, and more
Athletics: baseball, lacrosse, swimming, basketball, and more
Lottery: applications begin in November

Piedmont Community Charter
Student population: 1355 students
Student/teacher ratio: 17:1
Bell Schedule: 8:00 a.m. -2:45 p.m.
Lottery: applications begin in January
Note: Piedmont Community Charter has three distinct campuses for elementary, middle and high school students
Elementary School
Address: 119 E. 2nd Ave., Gastonia
Grades: K-5
Curriculum: Core Knowledge Sequence
Extracurriculars: Patriot Singers, National Elementary Honor Society
Middle
Address: 2970 South New Hope Rd., Gastonia
Grades: 6-8
Curriculum: Core Knowledge Sequence
Extracurriculars: Piedmont Patriot Historians, Student Council, National Junior Honor Society Drama Club and more
Athletics: Cross country, volleyball, soccer, basketball, golf, and more
High School
Address: 2596 Robinwood Rd., Gastonia
Grades: 9-12
Curriculum: Future-Ready Core Course of Study, opportunity for juniors and seniors with College Now with Gaston College with 46% of eligible population enrolled
Extracurriculars: Bible Club, Chess Club, Junior Heart Board, High School Quiz Bowl, and more
Athletics: Basketball, baseball, cheerleading, volleyball and more

Ridgeview Charter School
Address: 207 W. Bradley St., Gastonia
Bell Schedule: 8:00 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
Grades: K-6
Student population: 170 students
Curriculum: International Primary Curriculum which is adapted to children's interest with a thematic approach to specific learning goals
Lottery: applications run November 15-January 31 annually, with those enrolling after January 31 being placed on a wait list
Magnet Schools

Looking to enroll in a Gaston County public magnet school? Be sure to go through the New Student Enrollment process for Gaston County Schools
Hawks Nest STEAM Academy
Address: 3430 Robinwood Rd., Gastonia
Bell Schedule: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Grades: K-5
Student population: 332 students
Curriculum: specialized instruction focused on inquiry, research and investigation focusing on science, technology, engineering, art and math
Lottery: applications begin in November
Gaston Early College High School
Address: 201 Highway U.S. 321 S., Dallas
Bell Schedule: 9:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Grades: 9-12
Student population: 196 students
Curriculum: Dual enrollment in Gaston County Schools and Gaston College enables graduates to receive a high school diploma and an associates degree simultaneously, for free.
Lottery: applications begin in January
Gaston Virtual Academy
Address: #1 Learning Place, Gastonia
Bell Schedule: flexible
Grades: K-12
Student population: 71 students
Curriculum: Aligned with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study
Lottery: ongoing enrollment
Highland School of Technology
Address: 1600 N. Morris St., Gastonia
Bell Schedule: 8:40 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Grades: 9-12
Student population: 550 students
Curriculum: Students enroll in a chosen pathway (Health Sciences; Business, Legal, and Information Sciences; or Manufacturing/Engineering Technology and Graphics) and follow the associate curriculum to receive certifications or accreditations in that field.
Lottery: applications begin in January