Each summer, the Gaston County Board of Commissioner funds a two-week residential experience at Belmont Abbey College for sixty Gaston County rising tenth grade students. The Commissioners' School of Excellence (CSE) offers a variety of hands-on activities and seminars designed to help participants better understand Gaston County and their own roles as future leaders.
Admission is open to all rising tenth-grade students in public and private Gaston County high schools and Gaston County homeschooled students.
Interested students should apply through their school's administrative office.
2022 Important Dates
January 18 to January 31
Student application window for schools
February 7
Homeschool Student Deadline
Applications can be picked up at and are to be returned to:
Gaston County Schools
Teacher Resource Center
366 West Garrison Boulevard
Gastonia, NC 28052
Early April
Schools / Students notified of acceptance
April 28
Mandatory student / parent meeting Zoom at 7 pm for accepted students
June 13 through June 23
Commissioners' School 2022 at Ashbrook