W A Bess Elementary School

4340 Beaty Road

School District

Gaston County
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Gaston County School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on April 19, 2024

We move from Charlotte to Gastonia last summer my kid didn’t like going to school because of issues with the old school we thought that the transition was going to be harder but now he enjoys going to school he doesn’t like to miss school his teachers had help out a lot he has learned so much we are very impressed and happy with all the help and support we have gotten
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2023

With Laura Clark being the new principal, things have gone down the drain faster and faster by the minute. The administration treats their employees with more disrespect than good, yet when there is a problem they are not good teachers... My child has been very upset with the idea that his teacher might be leaving with the criticism he hears in the hallways. My student's teacher retired before Christmas, and we were introduced to a fresh new teacher who stated that this was her first year. And yet we are in April and from what my child says to me when they come home is that she is more and more upset when at school even when the kids give her numerous hugs and love. The administration needs to see that they have good people coming in, but supporting them to stay is more important than anything else. My child LOVES his new teacher, because she sees the potential in my student for who he is not what he is supposed to be, but sees what he can do now. That's important. She is important, and if something were to happen and she was to leave both my son and I would be so sad, especially since this is her first experience in the career. We would be very disappointed in the school, the administration, and the county overall. Losing people like her is what the education system needs to see and dive into the hardships that come to teachers, especially in the world we live in today...
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2022

This School has been a nightmare for us so far coming from a chapter school in charlotte. Night and Day. This school is part of the good oboy network. What we were afraid of moving to Gaston County. They promote bullying with their kids and teacher. Students are not allowed to defend themselves. They are told to run away. And if they defend themselves, they receive the same punishment as the bully who started the altercation. Unacceptable This is how you create home grown threats...
Submitted by parent on September 08, 2022

So far i’m really not impressed. My child’s teacher complains about my child everyday. I’m all about constructive feedback but why not point out some positives too? Why does it always have to be so negative? My child is very friendly and playful, not some annoyance. I’m honestly worried for my child to go to school there everyday being around a teacher like that. How is a child suppose to grow in that kind of environment?
Submitted by parent on July 13, 2022

Both of my children attended Bess K-5. I was highly satisfied with Principal Dixon and the teachers my boys had each year. The teachers encouraged an open line of communication, welcoming questions and keeping me informed of my children’s academic growth and ideas of how to support and continue their learning at home. Bess also had a strong emphasis on character, often rewarding children who showed kindness in the classroom. The counselor, Mrs. Walker is invested to ensure each child’s emotional health is strong and nourished. I appreciated that the school looked at the child as a whole, not just their test scores. The teachers have a high commitment ensuring each child will be successful in and outside the classroom. The media specialist Mrs. Shatterly is one in a million! She brings literature to life and creates a love of reading that follows students for a lifetime. She worked tirelessness to ensure my boys found books of interest that they would enjoy. One of my children has an IEP and I always felt supported by Ms. Dixon and my son’s teachers as they strived to help him achieve his full potential. They helped him develop self confidence and how to overcome difficulties, never using his diagnosis as an excuse. My children were both well prepared for middle school and continued to excel in the classroom due to their solid foundation of learning provided by Bess. We will forever be grateful for our years at WA Bess!
Submitted by parent on May 27, 2022

school is very very very very swag i approve
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2018

My experience with this school has been an absolute nightmare already. I am beyond shocked at the way that Principal Dixon "runs" this school. She rules with an iron fist. There are no ifs, ands, or buts. She allows no room for explanation. She has no respect for elders. She will not think twice before yelling at a parent or threatening one. This would be a good school if it was not for her. Do not put your children in this school if you can help it! This school needs to be investigated. There is active discrimination going on, and the school superintendent needs to get involved before they end up with a law suite.
Submitted by parent on August 15, 2018

Poor and very disappointing- scrapping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to principals
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2016

I'm a firm believer that in order to have a great school you have to have great leadership. I've had three of my children attend this school and while it was at one time an incredible school, I have watched it deteriorate. I have witnessed Principal Dixon showed favoritism to staff that was clearly unprofessional and not in the best interest of a student. On three separate occasions I have stood in the office and physically heard her bad mouth staff, parents, and even students. There is little to no accountability for staff and administration. I pulled two of my three children from this school because it is proven time and time again that a majority of the issues with this school are who is in charge of it.
Submitted by other on November 24, 2015

My grandson has the best teacher around! He is in the EC classroom with Ms. Stewart and she expects the best from him at all times. She holds him accountable for the things he needs to be responsible for. There are wonderful TA's also in the class and they support Ms. Stewart in every thing. We as a family are so grateful for Ms. Stewart and what she stands for!Connie Avery
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2015

I wish I could give it a 0 star! I wish I could tell the world how bad this school really is! Please think twice before you put your child here! I do not want any child to go through what we have been through! It's awful!
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2014

Run do not walk as far away from this school as possible! They do not care about your children! They only care about how your children make them look. Over the years I have discovered many lies from both the teachers and Ms.Dixon. There are a hand full of teachers that are there for the children, but very few. Its sad when just about every parent you run into will say they hate Bess. Come on that tells you something. Wake up Gaston County School Board and realize that this school is being run into the ground! Do something about it! Stop bragging about being a blue ribbon school when you have not won that title in years!
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2014

I have two children that have been a part of the W.A. Bess family. One child has moved on to middle school and one remains. Bess Elementary is an exceptional school that does care about your children and their future success. The PTO is very active and all money raised is put back into the teachers, classrooms, students and facilities to cover the shortfalls in the county's budget. To address the issue of the test scores in 2013, what you are seeing is the data from the first year that Common Core Curriculum was implemented. The process (the way the material is taught) and the procedures (the actual test used) were both changed at the same time. Every school was warned that their test scores would look VERY different from previous years' scores. It is no accident that there are so many new houses being built within W.A. Bess' district lines. It is still the best public elementary school in Gaston County.
Submitted by other on April 29, 2014

Wow. Look at the test sores. That says it all. It used to be a great school. The principal is running it into the ground.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2014

The phrase " Together in Education" applies to every child. It's a known fact that any child who has a parent or someone that is involved in their education, ( not constantly blaming everyone else) will have a much greater success rate. If your perfect little angel is having trouble, work together as a parent and not as a prosecutor! Kids are very different when mommy and daddy aren't there. The principal and assistant principal run a tight ship. Maybe if your child was getting the right discipline and support at home, there wouldn't be so many problems at school. I wouldn't trade jobs with anyone there! It's a tough job and I'd much rather stand behind them and support them as criticize them for their work. Many teachers work 10 hours a day and tutor children who need help all without any pay and I'm sure very little appreciation. Thank you W.A. Bess staff!
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2014

Vindictive, and very unprofessional is the principal. Lackadaisical, and extremely inattentive has been the teachers in our experience. They refuse to give my grandson the little bit of extra help or attention he needs to reach his full potential. They are happy with him only giving half hearted effort and if you try to get them to do there job they will retaliate any way they can.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2014

They keep erasing the truthful comments. This is my third one and i will keep posting. They have not help my child when he has needed it and have been fighting me tooth and nail so they dont have to. From the Principal to the teacher i have never seen a school that cares so little. Stay away at all costs.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2014

This school must only care about some kids i have seen it also. The teachers i have dealt with were lazy and unresponsive.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2014

W.A. Bess is a wonderful school. It is the reason we chose to move and buy a home in this area of Gaston County. The faculty and staff are dedicated to providing a successful environment for the students as well as meeting their needs beyond the classroom and the walls of the school. The generous support from parents and the community, allow the PTO to provide the tools W.A. Bess needs that the county is unable to provide. I look forward to being apart of the WA Bess family for many years to come.
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2014

WA Bess is my child's home away from home! He is a second grader and has been there since kindergarten. All his teachers have been extremely nurturing and in tune with all his needs. There is no better place in Gaston County for me to send him!! The staff is very professional and always quick to respond to the needs of the students and parents. Being part of the PTO has been a very rewarding role. Our PTO helps our families in need during the holidays and all through the year. PTO also helps our school offer our students things the county can't afford. I love our school and all the staff and faculty that make it such a great place to send my son!!