W.P. Grier Middle School Replacement

Summary

The W.P. Grier Middle School Replacement is a Gaston County Schools campus-replacement project at 1622 East Garrison Boulevard in Gastonia. The new 155,000-square-foot middle-school building opened for the 2025-2026 school year. A second campus phase, including demolition of the former building and construction of athletic fields, remains part of the overall campus program.

Current stage: Under construction.

Current condition: Active.

Key Facts

Project Funding

Funding type: Public · Status: Allocated

Timeline

1. 2026

   Athletic-fields phase remains current campus work

   Gaston County Schools' current bond page lists Grier Middle School Phase II (Athletic Fields) among current projects. The reviewed evidence confirms the building is operational but does not confirm final completion of the broader athletic-fields phase.

   Stage after event: Under construction
2. 2025-08-07

   Replacement school building opens

   Gaston County Schools held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new W.P. Grier Middle School ahead of the 2025-2026 academic year. The new building is approximately 155,000 square feet, can house 1,000 students with capacity for up to 1,200, and was built on the existing 25-acre campus.

   Stage after event: Under construction
3. 2024-08-14

   District and news report 2025 opening target

   The school district and WBTV reported that the 155,000-square-foot replacement building was under construction and expected to open for the 2025-2026 school year. The former building was planned for later demolition and replacement with a sports complex.

   Stage after event: Under construction
4. 2023-10-03

   New Grier construction begins

   Gaston County Schools held a groundbreaking program for the new W.P. Grier Middle School campus. Procurement documents describe a phased schedule for the new building, demolition of the former buildings and construction of athletic fields.

   Stage after event: Under construction
5. 2023-02-02

   County advances Grier construction funding

   The Gaston County Board of Commissioners approved an additional $1,532,207 appropriation and reimbursement declaration for costs associated with constructing Grier Middle School. The action states that Beam Construction had been awarded the building contract.

   Stage after event: Contract awarded
6. 2018-05-08

   County voters approve school bond referendum

   Gaston County voters approved a $250 million school bond referendum. Gaston County Schools later identified the bond program as the funding source for replacing an aging middle-school campus, including the new Grier project.

   Stage after event: Funded or programmed

Geography

Map

ExactApproximate

Solid geometry is exact. Dotted geometry and dotted-outline markers are approximate. Multiple markers may show independently verified locations; they are not connected and do not establish a route or alignment.