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Learning about schools is at the top of most newcomers’ lists. Families new to the Charlotte area will find a wealth of educational opportunities here, including public, private, parochial and charter schools.
The Charlotte region’s public school systems offer solid, broad programs that meet the needs of a wide range of students, from special needs to academically gifted, college prep to technical. North Carolina has traditionally encouraged consolidation of public systems so that many counties have a single school system. While many systems have consolidated, some remain fiercely independent, such as Mooresville Graded School District in southern Iredell County. York County in South Carolina also has four public school systems, each with its own distinct qualities.
The largest public school system in the Carolinas is Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS). This system is 23rd largest in the nation, with over 128,000 students enrolled in 154 schools.
The issue of pupil assignment is a large one in the CMS system. From the early 1970s to spring 2002, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools operated under a federal court desegregation order that placed emphasis on assigning pupils to schools to achieve a balanced racial mix. That court order has now ended and Charlotte-Mecklenburg has a new assignment plan that offers a K-12 feeder system, choice opportunities, stability, guaranteed school assignment and diversity through choice by letting parents decide which school is right for their child. For complete details on the current assignment plan, check the CMS website at www.cms.k12.nc.us.
CMS will continue to provide top-rated educational opportunities such as the Bright Beginnings program. This program offers a literacy-rich curriculum to 3,000 4-year-olds who might otherwise start kindergarten already behind other students. The program has proven its worth by preparing students to be on par with or ahead of their peers as they begin elementary school.
CMS features an innovative magnet school program that provides opportunities for students to pursue specific interests in their education. Fifteen magnet programs in 51 schools (see list) focus on such subjects as foreign language immersion; communication arts; math, science and technology; visual and performing arts; and accelerated learning.
The CMS system is rightly proud of its steadily improving performance in such areas as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and end-of-grade tests.
CMS participates in the state’s ABCs of Public Education Accountability Program, which establishes standards for performance and improvement for every public school and then assesses the school using results on end-of-grade tests. The program ensures that schools are meeting the educational standards set up by the state and rewards schools that exceed their goals. Check the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s website at www.ncpublicschools.org for details on the ABCs at the schools you’re considering.
A common theme among all Charlotte-region schools is growth. The tremendous increase in population is causing a surge in school enrollment, often putting classroom space, money and resources at a premium. Throughout this area, public and private schools are studying projections for growth and considering options to meet the demand for school services. As you check out the schools you’re considering, you’ll certainly see plenty of new construction and expansion projects under way, as well as plenty of mobile classrooms. Among the new schools for the 2006-2007 school year are Highland Creek Elementary in northeast Charlotte, Winget Park Elementary in southwest Charlotte, and J.V. Washam Elementary and Bailey Middle in Cornelius.
Charter schools are another education option in the Charlotte region. Charter schools, which originated in Minnesota in the early 1990s, are independently operated public schools designed to serve as laboratories for innovation in education. Created and run by parents, teachers and/or community leaders, charter schools receive the same per-pupil funding as other public schools. However, they can spend the money and operate with fewer restrictions and government rules.
The N.C. Board of Education must approve charter schools before they can begin operation. In addition, these schools must undergo periodic reviews to determine that they’re meeting regulations and standards. There are nine charter schools in Mecklenburg County, two in Gaston County, three in Iredell County, one in Union County, two in York County and one in Cabarrus County.
The Charlotte region also has a wealth of independent secular and religious private schools. Some large, well-established schools have huge campuses; others are small and new. There’s even a parochial school system, Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools, which encompasses the county’s eight parochial schools (but not the Catholic schools in Gastonia and Rock Hill). You’ll find a range of educational offerings, including innovative programs, special classes for students with learning disabilities, religious training and character-building. Because each private school has its own distinct philosophy and approach to learning, you’ll want to research schools, talk to parents and take a tour.
Public School Entrance Requirements
North Carolina
A child entering kindergarten must be 5 years old on or before Oct. 16.
A child entering the first grade must be 6 years old on or before the same date.
A copy of the child’s birth certificate and proof of residency must be taken to the school in order to register the child.
The following basic immunizations are required by state law:
• DTP - 4 or more doses (the last must be on or after the 4th birthday.)
• Polio - 3 or more doses (the last must be on or after the 4th birthday.)
• Measles - one on or after the 1st birthday, a second 30 days or more after the 1st.
• Mumps - one dose on or after the 1st birthday.
• Rubella - one dose on or after the 1st birthday.
• Hepatitis B - 3 doses for children born after 7/1/94, none required for older children.
• Hib - 4 doses
A certificate of immunization must include the following:
• Name and birth date of child
• Name of the parent(s) or guardian
• Address of the parent(s) or guardian
• Sex of the child
South Carolina
S.C. law requires that children between ages 5 and 17 enroll in school. Schools operate for 180 days each year.
S.C. law requires that all children to be enrolled in kindergarten and first grade present a birth certificate issued by the state of birth and be 6 years of age by Sept. 1 of the current school year. An exception is made for children who have completed first grade in another state that has a different age requirement. To enter kindergarten, children must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1.
All children entering S.C. schools for the first time must be immunized prior to enrolling and obtain an S.C. Certificate of Immunization form. Certificates may be obtained from the S.C. Health Department or other sources of medical care.
South Carolina requires the following immunizations: measles, rubella, DPT (diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus) and polio.
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2006 SAT Scores
|
MATH |
CRITICAL READING |
WRITING * |
TOTAL |
| Cabarrus County |
524 |
500 |
485 |
1509 |
| Catawba County |
519 |
484 |
469 |
1472 |
| Cleveland County |
513 |
483 |
470 |
1466 |
| Gaston County |
501 |
481 |
465 |
1447 |
| Iredell-Statesville |
537 |
500 |
493 |
1530 |
| Kannapolis City |
487 |
461 |
440 |
1388 |
| Lancaster County |
491 |
468 |
467 |
1426 |
| Lincoln County |
516 |
481 |
470 |
1467 |
| Mooresville City |
537 |
501 |
494 |
1532 |
| Union County |
520 |
503 |
494 |
1517 |
| York County 1 |
501 |
466 |
464 |
1431 |
| York County 2 |
518 |
491 |
478 |
1487 |
| York County 3 |
512 |
488 |
481 |
1481 |
| York County 4 |
549 |
533 |
519 |
1601 |
| North Carolina |
513 |
495 |
485 |
1493 |
| South Carolina |
498 |
487 |
480 |
1465 |
| Nation |
518 |
503 |
497 |
1518 |
Note: *Writing section of the SAT was added in 2005, and the total score is based on all three sections.
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Public School Contact
North Carolina
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
www.cms.k12.nc.us
All CMS numbers use the 980 area code.
Education Center
switchboard - 980-343-6220
Exceptional children - 980-343-6960
International center - 980-343-3784
Magnet schools - 980-343-5030
Public information - 980-343-7450
Student placement - 980-343-5335
Superintendent - 980-343-6270
Talent development - 980-343-6955
Transportation - 980-343-6715
Cabarrus County Schools
704-786-619
www.cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Catawba County Schools
828-464-8333
www.catawba.k12.nc.us
Cleveland County Schools
704-476-8000
www.clevelandcountyschools.org
Gaston County Schools
704-866-6100
www.gaston.k12.nc.us
Iredell-Statesville Schools
704-872-8931
www.iss.k12.nc.us
Lincoln County Schools
704-732-2261
www.lincoln.k12.nc.us
Mooresville Graded School District
704-664-5553
www.mgsd.k12.nc.us
Union County Schools
704-283-3733
www.ucps.k12.nc.us
For more information on N.C. public schools, check the state Department
of Public Instruction’s Web site (www.ncpublicschools.org) or call
the department at 919-807-3300.
South Carolina
Lancaster County Schools
803-286-6972
www.lcsd.k12.sc.us
York County District 1 (York)
803-684-9916
www.york.k12.sc.us
York County District 2 (Clover)
803-222-7191
www.clover.k12.sc.us
York County District 3 (Rock Hill)
803-981-1000
www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us
York County District 4 (Fort Mill)
803-548-2527
www.fort-mill.k12.sc.us
For more information on S.C. public schools, visit the state Department
of Education’s Web site, www.myscschools.com or call public information at 803-734-8815.
Private School Contact
Back Creek Christian Academy
1827 Back Creek Church Road
Charlotte, NC 28213
704-549-4101 • PreK-7
www.backcreekchurch.org/academy
Believers Faith Center
Christian Academy
336 Brookview Road
Statesville, NC 28625
704-873-5484 • K3-12
www.believersfaithcenter.com
Bible Baptist Christian School
2724 Margaret Wallace Road
Matthews, NC 28105
704-535-1694 • K-12
www.bbcscolts.com
Blessed Sacrament Academy
2024 Sam Newell Road
Matthews, NC 28105
704-841-2292 • K-5
www.blessedsacramentacademy.org
Brisbane Academy
5901 Statesville Road
Charlotte, NC 28269
704-598-5208 • PreK-12
www.brisbaneacademy.org
Cannon School
5801 Poplar Tent Road
Concord, NC 28027
704-786-8171 • PreK-12
www.cannonschool.org
Carmel Christian School
1145 Pineville-Matthews Road
Matthews, NC 28105
704-849-9723 • K-8
www.carmelchristian.org
Charlotte Catholic High School
7702 Pineville-Matthews Road
Charlotte, NC 28226
704-543-1127 • 9-12
www.gocougars.org
Charlotte Christian School
7301 Sardis Road
Charlotte, NC 28270
704-366-5657 • JK-12
www.charlottechristian.com
Charlotte Country Day School
1440 Carmel Road
Charlotte, NC 28226
704-943-4500 • JK-12
www.charlottecountryday.org
Charlotte Jewish Day School
921 Jefferson Drive
Charlotte, NC 28270
704-366-4558 • K-5
www.cjdschool.com
Charlotte Latin School
9502 Providence Road
Charlotte, NC 28277
704-846-1100 • PreK-12
www.charlottelatin.org
Charlotte Lutheran School
1225 E. Morehead St.
Charlotte, NC 28204
704-372-7738 • PK-5
www.charlottelutheran.org
Charlotte Preparatory School
212 Boyce Road
Charlotte, NC 28211
704-366-5994 • K-8
www.charlotteprep.com
Chesterbrook Academy
7801 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy.
Charlotte, NC 28277
704-544-6844 • PreK-5
www.chesterbrook-academy.com
Countryside Montessori School
9026 Mallard Creek Church Road
Charlotte, NC 28262
704-549-4253 • Primary-8
www.countrysidemontessorischool.org
Covenant Classical School
3200 Patrick Henry Drive
Concord, NC 28027
704-792-1854 • K4-12
www.covenantclassical.org
Covenant Day School
800 Fullwood Lane
Matthews, NC 28105
704-847-2385 • K-12
www.covenantday.org
Dore Academy
1727 Providence Road
Charlotte, NC 28207
704-365-5490 • K-12
www.doreacademy.org
First Assembly Christian School
154 Warren C. Coleman Blvd.
Concord, NC 28027
704-793-4750 • PreK-12
www.fachristianschool.org
The Fletcher School
8500 Sardis Road
Charlotte, NC 28270
704-365-4658 • K-12
www.thefletcherschool.org
Garr Christian Academy
7700 Wallace Road
Charlotte, NC 28212
704-568-7700 • PreK-8
www.garrchristianacademy.org
Gaston Christian Schools
200 Mercy Drive
Belmont, NC 28012
Parkwood Campus
(elementary), Gastonia
704-864-2700
Catawba Heights Campus
(elementary), Belmont
704-827-8659
Belmont Campus
(grades 7-12), Belmont
704-825-9000
www.gastonchristian.org
Gaston Day School
2001 Gaston Day School Road
Gastonia, NC 28056
704-864-7744 • PreK-12
www.gastonday.org
Hickory Grove Baptist Christian School
6050 Hickory Grove Road
Charlotte, NC 28215
704-531-4008 • TK-12
www.hgbcs.org
Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School
3100 Park Road
Charlotte, NC 28209
704-527-7822 • 6-8
www.htcms.org
Lake Norman Day School
14101 Stumptown Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-875-1801 • PreK-9
www.lakenormandayschool.com
Northside Christian Academy
333 Jeremiah Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28262
704-596-4074 • PK-12
www.ncaknights.com
Omni Montessori Center
9536 Blakeney Heath Road
Charlotte, NC 28277
704-541-1326 • K3-6
www.omni-montessori.org
Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School
4225 Shamrock Drive
Charlotte, NC 28215
704-531-0067 • PK-5
www.olainfo.com
Providence Christian School
4906 Providence Road
Charlotte, NC 28226
704-364-0824 • K-5
www.providencechristschool.org
Providence Day School
5800 Sardis Road
Charlotte, NC 28270
704-887-7041 • TK-12
www.providenceday.org
St. Ann Catholic School
600 Hillside Ave.
Charlotte, NC 28209
704-525-4938 • TK-5
www.stannscatholicschool.com
St. Anne School
1698 Bird St., Rock Hill, SC 29730
803-324-4814 • K4-8
www.stanneschool.com
St. Gabriel Catholic School
3028 Providence Road
Charlotte, NC 28211
704-366-2409 • K-5
www.myschoolonline.com/nc/stgabriel
St. Mark Catholic School
14750 Stumptown Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-766-5000 • K-8
www.stmarkcatholicschool.net
St. Matthew Catholic School
11525 Elm Lane
Charlotte, NC 28227
704-544-2070 • TK-5
www.st-matts.com
St. Michael’s Catholic School
704 St. Michael’s Lane
Gastonia, NC 28052
704-865-4382 • PreK-8
www.stmichaelsgastonia.org/stmichaelsschool
St. Patrick Catholic School
1125 Buchanan St.
Charlotte, NC 28203
704-333-3174 • K-5
www.saintpatrickschool.org
SouthLake Christian Academy
13901 Hager’s Ferry Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-949-2200 • K-12
www.southlakechristian.com
Statesville Montessori School
1012 Harmony Drive
Statesville, NC 28677
704-873-1092 • PreK-8
www.statesvillemontessori.com
Trinity Episcopal School
750 E. 9th St.
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-358-8101 • K-8
www.tescharlotte.org
Trinity Christian School
505 University Drive
Rock Hill, SC 29730
803-366-3121 • K4-12
www.trinityrh.org
United Faith Christian Academy
8617 Providence Road
Charlotte, NC 28277
704-541-1742 • PK-12
www.ufca.org
Westminster Catawba Christian School
2650 India Hook Rd.
Rock Hill, SC 29732
803-366-4119 • Primary-12
www.wccs.org
Magnet School Programs
Accelerated Learning (K-5)
First Ward Elementary
Center for Leadership and Global Economics (K-12)
Beverly Woods Elementary
Winding Springs Elementary
Eastway Middle
Kennedy Middle
Olympic High
Communication Arts (K-8)
Hornets Nest Elementary
Sharon Elementary
Carmel Middle
J.T. Williams Middle
Early College and Professional Development (9-12)
Waddell High
Foreign Language Schools (K-12)
Collinswood Language Academy (K-5)
Smith Language Academ (K-8)
West Mecklenburg High
International Baccalaureate
(K-12)
Cotswold Elementary
Huntingtowne Farms Elementary
Irwin Ave. Open Elementary
Lansdowne Elementary
Paw Creek Elementary
Statesville Road Elementary
Albemarle Road Middle
Davidson IB Middle
Piedmont Open IB Middle
Randolph Middle
Ranson IB Middle
Sedgefield Middle
East Mecklenburg High
Harding University High
Myers Park High
North Mecklenburg High
West Charlotte High
Learning Immersion and Talent Development (K-5)
Barringer Elementary
Idlewild Elementary
Lincoln Heights Elementary
Tuckaseegee Elementary
Villa Heights Elementary
Math/Science and Environmental Studies (K-12)
Morehead Elementary
Cochrane Middle
Harding University High
Montessori (PK-5)
Chantilly Montessori
Highland Park Montessori
Park Road Montessori
Open (K-12)
Irwin Ave. Open Elementary
Piedmont Open IB Middle
West Charlotte High
Paideia (K-8)
Oakhurst Elementary
Sterling Elementary
Randolph Middle
Technical (9-12)
Berry Academy of Technology
Traditional (K-5)
Elizabeth Traditional Elementary
Myers Park Tradition Elementary
Visual and Performing Arts (K-12)
Dilworth Elementary
University Park Creative Arts Elementary
Northwest Schoo of the Arts
Charter Schools
American Renaissance Charter School
111 Cooper St.
Statesville, NC 28677
704-924-8870 • K-5
www.amerren-charterschool.org
American Renaissance Middle School
217 S. Center St.
Statesville, NC 28677
704-878-6009 • 6-8
Carolina International School
8810 Hickory Ridge Road
Harrisburg, NC 28075
704-455-3847 • K-8
www.carolinainternationalschool.org
Children’s Attention Home
P.O. Box 2912
Rock Hill, SC 29372
803-328-8871 • K-8
www.attentionhome.org
Children’s Community School
565 Griffith St.
Davidson, NC 28036
704-896-6262 • K-3
www.ccsch.org
The Children’s School at Sylvia Circle
929 Sylvia Circle
Rock Hill, SC 29730
803-981-1380 • K3-5
www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/schools/elem/sces
The Community Charter School
926 Elizabeth Ave.
Charlotte, NC 28204
704-377-3180 • K-5
www.commchart.org
Crossroads Charter High
5500 N. Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC 28213
704-597-5100 • 9-12
www.crossroadscharter.org
Highland Charter Public School
324 N. Highland St.
Gastonia, NC 28052
704-861-8518 • K-2
www.highlandcharter.org
Kennedy School
1717 Sharon Road West
Charlotte, NC 28210
704-688-2939 • 6-12
Lake Norman Charter School
12820 S. Church St.
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-948-8600 • 5-8
www.lncs.org
Metrolina Regional Scholars’ Academy
7000 Endhaven Lane
Charlotte, NC 28262
704-503-1112 • K-8
www.scholarsacademy.org
Piedmont Community School
119 E. 2nd Ave.
Gastonia, NC 28052
704-853-2428 • K-9
www.pccharter.org
Queen’s Grant Community Schools
6400 Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Mint Hill, NC 28227
704-573-6611 • K-7
www.queensgrantcommunityschool.org
Socrates Academy
8310 McAlpine Road
Charlotte, NC 28270
704-366-1115 • K-5
www.socratesacademy.us
Success Institute
1424 Rickert St.
Statesville, NC 28677
704-881-0441 • K-8
Sugar Creek Charter School
4101 N. Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC 28206
704-509-5470 • K-8
www.thesugarcreek.org
Union Academy
3828 Old Charlotte Hwy.
Monroe, NC 28110
704-283-5678
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