Education

From preschool to postgraduate, excellence in education is a priority for the Queen City. Charlotte boasts a wealth of K-12 educational choices. The city includes Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS, one of the nation’s best urban school districts), as well as a wide variety of private schools and charter facilities. National, state and Mecklenburg Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores are a composite of both public and non-public schools. The average score in Mecklenburg County last year was 1549, while the national average was 1511.

To find the very best option, new residents should spend adequate time researching all options. Educators and administrators at all schools, both public and private, are happy to speak with newcomers and answer questions about a variety of unique programs.

Public Schools

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
www.cms.k12.nc.us
980.343.7450

CMS Serves 134,000 students in pre-kindergarten through12th grade. As the 23rd largest school district in the country, CMS has 172 schools and more than 19,000 employees. Some facts about CMS include:

  • Ranked in Forbes as seventh in the country for the “Best Education in the Biggest Cities.”
  • Ranks in the top five school districts nationally for the number of National Board Certified (NBC) teachers. This certification is equivalent to the CPA exam for accountants or the bar exam for lawyers and documents a teacher’s skills.
  • The top 10 percent of CMS graduates outperform their public and private school peers statewide, scoring an average of 1765 compared to 1722 for the top 10 percent in North Carolina.
  • Serves more than 20,000 students in 11 magnet programs at 40 schools. Magnet schools offer students an opportunity to focus on a particular theme or curriculum while receiving the N.C. Standard Course of Study. Any student can apply to any magnet program within CMS, but they must meet the program’s eligibility requirements prior to applying and must agree to fulfill program requirements to remain enrolled.
  • Other standout programs within CMS include Advanced Placement classes, arts education, character education, English as a Second Language, exceptional children, afterschool enrichment programs, and a strong emphasis on literacy and science.

A PDF brochure providing further detail on CMS is available here from the Charlotte Chamber's economic development team.

North Carolina Charter Schools
www.ncpublicschools.org/charterschools/
919.807.3300

If you're not familiar with the charter schools concept, visit here.

Non-Public Schools

N.C. Association of Independent Schools
www.ncais.org  | Search North Carolina Schools
704.461.1812

N.C. Division of Non-Public Education
www.ncdnpe.org  |  Home School Requirements  |  Links to schools in Mecklenburg
919.733.4276

Nearly 23,000 students are enrolled in 58 independent, nonpublic and charter schools, including a growing Catholic school system and a variety of denominational church schools and non-church related institutions. Information on private schools and how to select an independent school is available from the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools or the North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education. A comprehensive list of private and charter schools within the city of Charlotte is available by calling the Charlotte Chamber at 704.378.1300. For additional information on tuition and enrollment openings, contact individual schools directly.

Higher Education

Whether you’re seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree, training for career advancement, or enrichment courses through continuing education, you’ll find schools to meet your needs. Besides traditional weekday programs, many institutions offer evening or weekend programs for adult students with full-time jobs. A list of institutions of higher learning in North Carolina is available by calling 704.378.1300.

Institutions in the Charlotte area (Charlotte Chamber members linked in gold):

Art Institute of Charlotte
Barber-Scotia College
Belmont Abbey College
Brookestone College of Business
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences
Carolinas College of Health Sciences
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte School of Law
Davidson College
DeVry University
ECPI College of Technology
Gardner-Web University, Charlotte Campus
Gaston College
Johnson & Wales University
Johnson C. Smith University
King's College
Lee University
Montreat College, School of Professional and Adult Studies
Pfeiffer University
Queens University of Charlotte
Strayer University
Troy University
UNC Charlotte
UNC Charlotte, Belk College of Business
University of Phoenix, Charlotte Campus
USC Moore School of Business
Wake Forest University, Charlotte MBA Program
Wingate University
Wingate University, School of Graduate and Adult Education Metro Campus
Winthrop University
Winthrop University, College of Business Administration