Are you planning on moving to or living in Charlotte, NC? Charlotte is part of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District, which has some of the best public and private schools in Charlotte. To help you choose which school to send your kid(s), we recommend writing out a list of everything you want and need the school to have before making a final decision. A few examples include:
- STEAM or STEM programs
- Student improvement programs to help students who would benefit from an Individual Education Plan
- Test Scores
- College readiness stats
- Classroom size
- AP participation rate
- School report card
- After school programs
- Awards that the school has received
- Athletics
- Programs for gifted students
Best High Schools in Charlotte
With some of the top-rated high schools in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District, and a variety of academic and athletic programs.
Ardrey Kell High School | Rated #1 High School in the Charlotte Metro Area
- District: Charlotte-Mecklenburg
- Type of School: Public
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 3,437
- Teacher to Student Ratio: 21:1
- Address: 10220 Ardrey Kell Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
- Ardrey Kell High School Report Card
Ardrey Kell High School is a student-centered community with a high-quality curriculum. It’s part of the Ballantyne area of Mecklenburg County, and it’s one of the safest places to live in Charlotte, NC. When it comes to the top attractions throughout the Ballantyne area, the locals recommend checking out Ballantyne Country Club, Providence Pointe Pool, and the Regal Stonecrest at Piper Glen.
With a 98% graduation rate, Ardrey Kell High School has a higher graduation rate than the North Carolina state median rate; more students receive their diplomas from this Charlotte High School. On average, 75% of the students at Ardrey Kell High School will participate in at least one AP class, and 65% of the students have passed at least one AP test.
Ardrey Kell High School has a subject proficiency well above the state and district average, rated as the #1 high school in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District, and the 10th best school in North Carolina.
If you love acting, Ardrey Kell High School is the best Charlotte school choice for you! The school recently won awards at the NCTC State High School Play Festival and continues to provide top-rated art programs.
Ardrey Kell High School is a multilingual learner-safe school, so if you’re new to speaking English, you don’t have to worry because special classes are here to help. A few other courses that stand out in the curriculum include Junior Officer Training Corps (JROTC), Career Technical Education, and fine arts.
There are plenty of sports teams to try out for at Ardrey Kell High School, like cross country, football, golf, basketball, cheerleading, wrestling, swimming & diving, indoor and outdoor track, lacrosse, tennis, and baseball.
Cato Middle College High School | Ranked #11 High School in North Carolina
- District: Charlotte-Mecklenburg
- Type of School: Public
- Grades: 11-13th
- Enrollment: 136
- Teacher to Student Ratio: 42:1
- Address: 8120 Grier Rd, Charlotte, NC 28215
- Cato Middle College High School Report Card
While Cato Middle College High School might be a smaller Charlotte school, it’s ranked #2 in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District and #11 in the state of North Carolina. With a 99% graduation rate, 58% of the students taking an AP class, and 35% of the students passing an AP exam, the subject proficiency is consistent with the state.
What makes Cato Middle College High School unique is that it allows Juniors in High School thru the first year of college to take classes that count towards college credits. While attending this school, students can earn their associate’s Degree before they graduate. Cato Middle College High School is a public school, but it requires students to apply for admissions.
Best Elementary Schools in Charlotte
The elementary schools in Charlotte, NC, provide a premier primary school education while creating an inclusive and safe learning space.
Providence Spring Elementary | 2x Honory as a National Blue Ribbon School by the US Department Of Education
- District: Charlotte-Mecklenburg
- Type of School: Public
- Grades: K-5th
- Enrollment: 747
- Teacher to Student Ratio: 14:1
- Address: 10045 Providence Church Ln, Charlotte, NC 28277
- Providence Spring Elementary Report Card
Ranked as the #1 elementary school in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District and #9 in the state of North Carolina, Providence Spring Elementary School boasts well above averages for math and reading. The school is in Providence Plantations, which is best known for its upscale homes and family-friendly and affluent community.
In the last 7 years, this North Carolina elementary school exceeded the academic growth 4 times and met it the other 3 times.
Technology is a big part of education here at Providence Spring Elementary. They have everything from SMART Boards in the classrooms, iPads, and Chromebooks. Some of the activities that the students can join are the safety patrol, the math olympiad, the running club, the chess club, the mystery class, the quiz bowl, and the science olympiad.
To help students with their sensory skills, the school created something called B3 (Brain, Body, and Behavior), and at the end of the day, the ultimate goal for this lab is to strengthen the child’s critical thinking skills.
Irwin Academic Center | The Best Magnet School in Charlotte, NC
- District: Charlotte-Mecklenburg
- Type of School: Magnet
- Grades: K-5th
- Enrollment: 373
- Teacher to Student Ratio: 14:1
- Address: 329 N Irwin Ave, Charlotte, NC 28202
- Irwin Academic Center Report Card
As an award-winning school, the Irwin Academic Center received the School of Distinction from the Magnet Schools of America for 2023. Irwin Academic Center is part of the historic Fourth Ward in Charlotte, NC, and is known for its luxury homes, parks, and overall culture in the community. Some of the best places to check out in this suburb include things like Ray’s Splash Planet, perfect for the summer months, and the Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre. It ranks well above the school districts in Charlotte, and the state of North Carolina for the subject proficiency tests in math and reading.
For grades 3rd-5th, there is an option for academically gifted students to help challenge the students more than in the regular classroom.
There’s a long list of clubs available for the students. The most popular ones include the National Elementary Honor Society, Battle of the Books, Science Olympiad, Student Council, Drama, and Odyssey of the Mind. You can browse the list of clubs here
Best Private Schools in Charlotte
Private schools in Charlotte, NC, are the best. These schools provide a higher level of education and prepare their students for college. Here are the top Charlotte private schools.
Northside Christian Academy | NCISAA, ACSI & SACS Accredited School in Charlotte
- Grades: K-12th
- Address: 333 Jeremiah Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28262
- Phone: (704) 599-9015
- Enrollment: 618
- Tuition: For K-5th, the tuition is $8,300, 6th-8th, the tuition is $8,800, and for 9th-12th, the tuition is $9,800. There is an option for international students, and the tuition is $14,500. In addition to the tuition, there are additional fees depending on certain classes, but there is tuition assistance if needed.
As a ministry for the Northside Baptist Church, the Northside Christian Academy is known for being the top private school in Charlotte, NC, having a one-of-a-kind athletics program, being ranked #4 for being the most diverse high school in the state of North Carolina and having a great fine arts department. You do need to apply and be accepted to gain admission to this private school in Charlotte. Northside Christian Academy is part of the Mineral Springs/Rumple Road suburban area.
Northside Christian Academy also provides online learning to those who wish to take additional courses. With plenty of AP courses to choose from, the majority of the students at Northside Christian Academy pass at least one of the exams.
Charlotte Christian School | College Preparatory School in Charlotte
- Grades: JK-12th
- Address: 7301 Sardis Rd, Charlotte, NC 28270
- Phone: (704) 366-5657
- Enrollment: 1,100
- Tuition: The tuition is dependent upon the grade level. For JK/K, the tuition is $18,000, for 1st-5th, the tuition is $19,995, for 6th-8th, the tuition is $21,275, and for 9th-12th, the tuition is $23,755. There are additional fees and deposits necessary in addition to the tuition, but they do provide financial aid for families that need help.
As a private college preparatory school in Charlotte, NC, Charlotte Christian is one of the top private Christian schools in the state. Charlotte Christian School is part of the Stonehaven suburb, and it’s most famous for its ranch-style homes. The school has a robotics team, Bible classes, art, music, Spanish, orchestra, and a STEM lab to help enrich its students.
When it comes to athletics, Charlotte Christian sits in a 4A division for the NCISAA and has won a total of 42 state championships. There are a total of 25 student-athletes that have later gone on to become pro athletes, like Steph Curry, Trey Phills, Garrett Bradbury, and Bailey Ober.
Some of the fun attractions nearby the Charlotte Christian School include the McAlpine Creek Greenway Trailway, Sardis Swim and Racquet Club, which is perfect during the summer, and the Cinemark Movie Bistro Charlotte.
View this post on Instagram
Charlotte Schools FAQ
What are the best public schools in Charlotte?
The best public schools in Charlotte are Ardrey Kell High School, Cato Middle College High School, Providence Spring Elementary School, Irwin Academic Center, and Polo Ridge Elementary.
What are the best Charlotte private schools?
The best private schools in Charlotte are Northside Christian Academy, Charlotte Christian School, and Charlotte Jewish Day School.
Are Charlotte schools good?
Yes, Charlotte schools are good and have some of the top-rated schools within the state of North Carolina based on individual profiles through US News.
Now that you know the best schools in the area, are you ready to move to Charlotte, NC? Make A Move is here for you and will help give you peace of mind during this transition. With 8+ years of experience, 2,200+ moves per year, and 25+ trained and certified crew members, Make A Move is the best Charlotte relocation company with affordable prices. Call Charlotte Movers at (704) 378-8588 for a free estimate!
