High School Information

Registration for High School Classes--Spring Semester of 8th Grade

• NOTE:  Please listen for Parent Link announcements via your phone or text for updates and reminders.

• Step 1:  Student assignment for high school is based on a student's address. GCS provides a website telling where our currently enrolled students are assigned for high school (You can also use the link at the top of this page). 

• For courses offered at Gaston County High Schools: click HERE -- See page 4 for For North Carolina graduation requirements.

• Students who apply to ANY Choice School will still complete these steps for their assigned high schools. 

• Step 2:  Middle School Counselors will meet individually with each 8th grader to discuss 9th grade classes. 

• Step 3:  High School Counselors will come to YCMS and meet with each 8th grader individually to complete the registration process.

      Hunter Huss High School Counselors at YCMS:  Spring of 2025 

School Choice and Magnet Schools

Gaston County offers multiple specialized high school programs.  For more information, visit  GCS School Choice Website

10 HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Click the link for a school's Choice program--lots of info and a video!

Career Academy @ Hunter Huss High School  VIDEO

Collegiate Prep Academy @ Forestview High School VIDEO 1   VIDEO 2

Gaston Early College High School  VIDEO

Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences   VIDEO

Highland School of Technology  VIDEO

Highland Open House for students and families on Monday, February 28, 2022 at 5:30 pm

iAccelerate Academy @ Ashbrook High School  VIDEO

Leadership Academy @ North Gaston High School  VIDEO

Health Sciences Academy @ East Gaston High School  VIDEO

Public Service Academy @ Cherryville High School VIDEO

Technology and Industrial Engineering Academy @ Bessemer City High School VIDEO

• • For any Choice School you are considering, carefully read that school's page on the GCS School Choice Website.  In particular, be sure to read the FAQ page for that school.  The different programs vary in their requirements to apply.  Some programs require minimum scores on 6th and 7th grade EOGs or minimum scores on iReady diagnostics.

  • Beginning January 15, 2025, applications will be accepted for the next school year. 

  • Application deadline is March 21, 2025 at 5 pm. 

  • The lottery selection process will be held in April 17, 2025.

  • Typically, acceptance into a school choice program is at the kindergarten, sixth grade, and ninth grade levels; however, some programs may have limited space available at other grade levels.

  • The Choice Schools window is also where students apply for:

    • the Gaston County Virtual Academy for grades 3-10 or

    • a transfer request to another Gaston County School.

School Choice Fairs

Gaston County Schools is hosting a second information session to give students and parents an opportunity to learn about the district’s 21 school choice programs for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Who do I contact for more information? 

• • If you have questions or need additional information, please send us an email: schoolchoice@gaston.k12.nc.us.

Tips for High School Success

1.  GRADUATE.  Do NOT drop out.  You WILL encounter obstacles, but overcome them.  Without a High School Diploma, you will have even MORE obstacles in your life.

2.  Get to know your School Counselor.  They will help you with scheduling ALL of your classes EVERY year.  They will also help you with college applications, including writing references.  The better they know you, the more they can help you.  Use High School Counselor websites.

Hunter Huss School Counseling website: click HERE

Highland School of Technology School Counseling website: click HERE

Gaston Early College High School Counseling website: click HERE

3.  Understand the Credit System. For more detail, click HERE for state requirements and click HERE (see page 4) for Gaston County requirements

• To know the number of credits you need to graduate, remember this rhyme:  28 to graduate.

• Passing a class = 1 credit toward graduation. If you don't EARN the grade to pass the class, you will not get a credit.

• Credits have to be earned in certain categories.  For example, you must have 1 credit in Health / PE to graduate; you'll have to dress out to pass!

4.  Attendance policy changes.  High Schools take attendance in EVERY CLASS, EVERY DAY.  No more attending half the day and getting counted present.  They CAN fail you due to your attendance in High School.  Poor attendance can equal no credit for a class.

5.  How your grade is calculated CHANGES.  Report cards every SIX WEEKS.  (For more detail, click HERE)

• Tests (major projects, major papers, etc.) = 60 percent

• Quizzes = 20 percent

• Daily/Class Grades and/or Homework = 20 percent