History
Gaston Christian School, Inc. was founded in 1979 by a group of seven pastors and Christian parents who sought to establish a school that emphasized academic excellence and spiritual growth in a God-honoring environment. Planning began in the school's first year, leading to its opening in 1980 with 105 students in grades K-9, hosted by Parkwood Baptist Church in Gastonia, NC. A preschool program for three- and four-year-olds was launched in 1985.
In August 1991, an additional campus opened in the Belmont/Mount Holly area at Catawba Heights Baptist Church. By 1994, the school expanded to grade ten at the former Sacred Heart College, adding grades 11 and 12 in subsequent years to provide a complete college-preparatory program. The acquisition of 54 acres in March 1999 marked a significant growth phase, culminating in the construction of new facilities. In August 2006, all elementary students transitioned to a new building on the Lowell campus, followed by grades 6-12 in 2008. The Fine Arts Center was completed during the 2018-2019 school year, and a Student Life Center (central campus cafeteria) was completed during the 2022-2023 school year, which began serving lunches in August 2023.
Gaston Christian School is governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees, and several recognized organizations, including the North Central Association and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, accredit it. The school is also approved by the North Carolina Department of Non-Public Instruction.
In January 2022, five pastors from Shelby churches met with the school administration to discuss the need for a Christian school in the Shelby area. Elizabeth Baptist Church agreed to host the Shelby Campus, which opened on August 11, 2022, for preschool through fourth grade.
In December 2023, Gaston Christian School purchased the former Central School in Kings Mountain, commencing renovations in January 2024. Classes began in the new location on August 13, 2024.
Today, Gaston Christian School (with campuses in Gastonia and Kings Mountain) serves over 1,300 students from PK3 to grade 12.
Today
Gaston Christian is the largest private school in Gaston County, [1] North Carolina, with nearly 1100 students in the school, ranging from PK3 to 12th grade, located on a single campus. The 66-acre (270,000 m2) campus features a gymnasium, auditorium, cafeteria, pre-school and elementary building, middle/high school building and sports facilities for softball, baseball, soccer and cross country.
Sports
In 2014, Gaston Christian had 24 athletic teams in 14 sports, including boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, boys and girls tennis, cross country, swimming, softball, baseball, golf, and cheerleading. [2] In 2007, the boys soccer team reached the state tournament and finished ranked 12th in the state. One of the students was placed on the All-State team. In 2007/2008, the girls' basketball team reached the state tournament and finished ranked 10th in the state. In 2008, the boys' baseball team reached the state tournament and finished ranked 12th in the state. The girls' softball team reached the state tournament in 2008, where they lost in the finals to conference rivals Northside Christian Academy, finishing the season ranked 2nd in the state. However, in 2010, the Lady Eagles softball team surged to take home the State Championship trophy, having defeated several well-prepared teams in challenging tournament play.
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