Charlotte, North Carolina is also known as the “Queen City.” According to the city's guide and resource page, CharlottesGotALot.com, Charlotte was first developed by Europen Settlers in 1768 who named the city after King George III's wife, Queen Charlotte.
Not only is this city known for its diverse culture, rich history, and delicious food, but it's also home to several highly populated and large schools. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg school district supports over 140,406 kindergarten through 12th-grade students in 181 schools. A couple of the schools are some of the largest in the state of North Carolina!
While these numbers may seem substantial, Charlotte's schools have an immense amount of opportunities they can offer to their students. Here's everything you need to know about the largest schools in Charlotte, North Carolina.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223-0001
U.S. News and World Report ranked this college as the best in the city of Charlotte. With enrollment reaching over 30,000 students, UNC Charlotte is on a mission to “transform lives, communities, and industries.” The school was originally founded in the 1940s with the name Charlotte College. They began by only offering evening classes at Charlotte Central High School but have grown to now host 2 campuses with the main campus stretching over 1,000 acres. UNC Charlotte offers 24 doctoral programs and 75 bachelor's degree programs. Additionally, the school also offers numerous sports, clubs, and activities for students to choose from.
UNC Charlotte in the News!
UNC Charlotte has received some great press in recent times. At the time of writing the college made a few headlines around their grants, programs, and the effects of such.
UNC Charlotte to expand literacy education efforts with the Mebane Foundation award. (July 10th, 2023)
UNC Charlotte is testing a self-driving shuttle bus on the road. (June 22nd, 2023)
UNC Charlotte study finds new information about why some people are asymptotic after contracting COVID-19 (July 21st, 2023)
Central Piedmont Community College
1141 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte, NC
With over 8 campus locations and 43,600 students enrolled across all programs, Central Piedmont Community College offers something for everyone. The school was founded in 1963 and offers technical and skilled training to students, preparing them to enter the workforce. CPCC also offers over 70 student clubs and programs, as well as partnerships with local companies that offer internships and apprenticeships. The school's goal is to prepare you for the next phase of life by providing programs in 12 job categories with more than 55 professional pathways. Additionally, the average student-to-teacher ratio is 19:1, offering students a smaller, more interactive experience.
Myers Park High School
2400 Colony Road, Charlotte, NC 28209
With enrollment reaching over 3,500, Myers Park High School is considered the largest high school in the city of Charlotte. The school has been open since 1951 and sits on 62 acres with 13 separate buildings, giving the school and its students a small college campus vibe. Myers Park High's website states that Newsweek magazine has ranked the school among the top 100 best high schools in the U.S. With numerous programs including art, dance, photography, theater, debate, sports, and more, there's certainly something for everyone at Myers Park High School.
Audrey Kell High School
10220 Ardrey Kell Road, Charlotte, NC 28277
U.S. News and World Report ranks this high school #1 for the Charlotte-Mecklenberg school district and #10 in the state of North Carolina overall. Over 3,500 students in 9-12 grade attended Audrey Kell High School this past school year, even though the school didn't first open its doors until 2006. The school was built to make room for the increasing population of surrounding schools and offers CTE pathways, Advanced Placement courses, and College & Career readiness initiatives. Additionally, Audrey Kell boasts over a 96% graduation rate and consistently scores high rankings from the NC School Report Cards.
South Mecklenburg High School
8900 Park Road Charlotte, NC 28210-7609
South Mecklenburg High School is the second-highest populated high school in the Charlotte-Mecklenberg school district. With enrollment coming in around 3,200, this school is closely similar to Audrey Kell High. The school is often called “South Meck” for short and has a rich history in the community. They were also recently named the World Language Magnet School of Distinction as their program is the largest World Languages Magnet in the state of North Carolina.
Community House Middle School
9500 Community House Road, Charlotte, NC 28277
According to PublicSchoolReview.com, this middle school has an enrollment rate hovering around 1,700 for 6-8th graders. Community House Middle School believes in high student achievement and preparing students for life by implementing time management skills and character development. The school staff understands that the transition from elementary school to middle school can be challenging at times so there is a high focus on teachers and parents working together as a team. Community House Middle School has also been named an Honor School of Excellence with High Growth. This is the highest honor a school can receive from the state of North Carolina.
Sugar Creek Charter School
4101 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28206
Sugar Creek Charter School enrolls nearly 1,700 students every year in grades K-12. SCCS is the oldest charter school in Mecklenburg County. Its mission is to “eradicate generational poverty in the lives of our students.” Students enrolled at this school receive a free lunch and breakfast every day, as well as eligibility for transportation. The school has two locations – one for grades K-8, and one for grades 9-12. , In addition, the school holds true to its goal of preparing students to achieve in high school, college, and the workforce by having 100% college acceptance with a scholarship.
Charlotte Country Day School
1440 Carmel Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28226
PrivateSchoolReview.com ranks this school as one of the best private schools in North Carolina. Charlotte Country Day School enrolls around 1,750 students each year in grades PK-12 with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 8:1. The school first opened its doors in 1941 with just 18 students but has grown to encompass numerous school clubs, programs, and groups. Currently, the school offers 150 summer academic and enrichment programs along with 72 high school sports teams and 70 special events every year.
Providence Day School
5800 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC 28270
Providence Day School enrolls around 1,600 students a year. It's also an independent college preparatory school that serves children in grades PK-12. The school has been in existence for over 50 years and exists to inspire its students and the next generations. Providence focuses on being a global school, offering younger students Chinese, Spanish, and French. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools. It also holds numerous memberships including the National Association of Independent Schools.
Elon Park Elementary
11425 Ardrey Kell Road, Charlotte, NC 28277
Elon Park Elementary is one of the largest elementary schools in Charlotte, enrolling 860 students in grades K-5 during the 2022-2023 school year. Like Audrey Kell High, Elon Park was built to reduce overcrowding in the current schools and opened its doors in 2007. Additionally, the school has a diverse student population and places a high emphasis on inclusion and nurturing its students. Elon Park is a National Paideia Seminar Certified School and welcomes a growing multilingual population. The school also earned an Exceeded Academic Growth Award in 2021-2022 from the state of North Carolina.
Finding the Right School for Your Child
Looking to find a school in the Queen City of Charlotte, North Carolina? From cutting-edge academic programs to a vibrant extracurricular scene, the largest schools in this city focus on growth, learning, and personal development. While the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school district serves a large number of students, this merely scratches the surface of the various opportunities that Charlotte's educational institutions offer to their students. In other words, one of these schools may be the best fit for you and your child!
The image featured at the top of this post is ©ESB Professional/Shutterstock.com.