Gaston Day School

This school has the best academic programs offered in Gastonia. Your child/ren will be more than ready for college. The teachers are highly qualified and over qualified. This school is excellent!
--Submitted by a parent

When I graduated 2006, every department in middle and upper was well above average. From what I understand, in recent years many qualified teachers have left or were "let go" and their replacements were not equally as qualified. The English Department is the same and they are excellent teachers and care about students' individual needs and success. Most of the departments are not up to the standards they were 5 years ago. Also, there is a definite hierarchy in the placement of the students as well as there treatment. The students from more affluent families do get special treatment and during my day if you were there because of sports, you walked on water. *Overall, I would suggest Gaston Day but I would not say you are getting the best education that they have to offer. I give them a below average because they need to stop catering to what the parents want and more towards what the students need.*

As a parent of fourth and second grade students at GDS I have nothing but great things to say. The teachers have been excellent and communicative. I see no signs of favoritism, and bullying is addressed quickly and directly. The family atmosphere is great, as a matter of fact we are on our way to see a varsity basketball game tonight! the administration is top notch. Our kids even love the food! We are looking forward to a long relationship with Gaston Day.
--Submitted by a parent

Posted today Gaston Day has always been a great school. The leadership there is excellent. One of the best after school programs in Gaston County also picks up at Gaston Day, Carolina Galaxy. I'm sure you will be very impressed with Gaston Day.
--Submitted by a parent

My son entered this school in 8th grade. As a newbie he was welcomed with open arms by both staff and pupils alike. I have seen no evidence of favouritism towards anyone. My son is now a rising 12 grader and this has been far the best school he has attended. Small class sizes, reasonable tuition and a really family atmosphere. My son has loved his time at this school.
--Submitted by a parent

We have had children at GDS over the last 10 years. In the past 7-8 years it has become, in my opinion, the best small school in the Charlotte region. Student-Faculty ratio is around 8:1 (in Charlotte it's usually 16:1) and the tuition is up to 40% less than what you'd pay in Charlotte. I think that's why we're seeing more and more Charlotte families sending their kids here. A well-kept secret, perhaps. Our kids have loved it there. And we don't donate much (more time than money) so I disagree with other posters about bias towards big donors. Only complaint would be to encourage kids to explore more far-reaching colleges - they definitely have the academic potential - seems like most kids just want to go to UNC (not a bad choice, obviously).
--Submitted by a parent

We were very unhappy at this school. Not very accepting of newcomers. Little to no effort made to involve or incorporate newbies. Rampant favoritism from the faculty towards childrens whose parents are considered large donors and zero assistance when it comes to bullying. We will not return.
--Submitted by a parent

Gaston Day is a great school!! im son is in 8th grade over there and he loves it!! he gets a great education and it helps him with his dream of being a surgen! i love my son and the school!! thanks Gaston Day for being a huge part of my familes life :)
--Submitted by a parent

I love Gaston Day. I have been going there since I was about 5 or so. The teachers are really friendly and try to connect with students to make the learning experience fun and exciting. I am hoping to become a survivor and I am really excited for the adventures up ahead.
--Submitted by a student

I recently graduated from Gaston Day School in the class of 2009. I will say that Gaston Days's English Department is by far the best in the state and has overly prepared me for college english. Now that I have tha out of the way, Gaston Day provides mediocre science courses, sub-par math courses and is oddly selective in honors positions and class placements bases on how much a parent donates to the school. The workload is very rigorous which leads to the most stressed out high school students I have ever seen. The social experience is miserable. The students are fake and if there are disagreements there is no way to escape the person you have a problem with and you will most likely carry that hostility throughout the highschool career. Also, I feel that the school is more concerned with it's overall image rather than the inividual student.
--Submitted by a student