Choosing the right high school is an important decision that can shape your future. In North Carolina, there are several outstanding schools to consider. But how do you know which school is the best fit for you? Is it the classes they offer, the activities they have, or the overall feeling of the school? Let's explore each school's unique qualities to help you make the right choice.
1. Myers Park High School
2400 Colony Road Charlotte, NC 28209
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Myers Park High School is an incredible public school located in Charlotte, North Carolina. This school has 3,593 diverse students and a teacher-student ratio of 1:21. This is an amazing school for athletes. In addition, it ranks number 16 as the best high school for athletes in North Carolina out of 774 high schools.
Myers Park High School boasts an impressive graduation rate of 89 percent and provides students with a wide range of educational opportunities through 32 enriching AP and college prep courses. The average SAT score at the school is 1200 out of 1600, while the average ACT composite score is 26 out of 36. It is worth noting that over 900 students from Myers Park High School choose to attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte as their top choice college after graduation.
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What parents and students say about Myers Park High School:
- Students are there to genuinely learn.
- Students feel safe and happy in the school environment.
- Their favorite school traditions are Spirit Week, the stampede club fair, and the senior party.
- There is a huge range of students that are hardworking, competitive, and involved in many school activities.
- The teacher takes control and leads the classroom.
Myers Park High School is a diverse school, where 51 percent of the students are female, and 49 percent are male. Most of the students are white, but there are also African American, Hispanic, Asian, and Multiracial students. Out of the 3,593 students enrolled, around 20 percent qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Notable Myers Park Alumni
Myers Park is proud to have an extensive list of notable alumni. Some of the names on this list include:
- Jim Crockett, Jr., owner of Jim Crockett Promotions, a wrestling company
- Heather Childers, former news anchor for the first hour of Fox and Friends First
- Ben Browder, actor, writer, and director
- Seth Avett, founding member and lead singer of The Avett Brothers
- Rick Arrington, former quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Jake Robbins, former pitcher for the Chicago White Sox
- Richard Hudson, member of the U.S. House of Representatives
- Robert Woodard, head coach of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte's baseball team
- Jack B. Farris, commander of the ground forces during the U.S. invasion of Grenada
2. Ardrey Kell High School
10220 Ardrey Kell Road Charlotte, NC 28277
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Ardrey Kell High School is an excellent school, which is rated as the best public high school in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. There are 3,437 students enrolled through grades 9 to 12. There is a teacher-student ratio of 1:21.
Ardrey Kell High School has an impressive graduation rate of 98 percent, which is higher than the average. The school offers 21 AP and college prep courses, with an 86 percent pass rate on exams. The average SAT score at Ardrey Kell High School is 1290 out of 1600, and the average ACT composite score is 29 out of 36, which are both higher than the national average.
What parents and students say about Ardrey Kell High School:
- This school is the best in the area.
- The student's favorite school events are clubs, football games, and prom.
- Students feel happy and safe in the school environment.
- The teachers are leading in the classroom.
- There are plenty of clubs to get involved in.
- The students are preppy, hardworking, and friendly.
This school displays notable diversity, where 49 percent of the students are female, and 51 percent are male. Furthermore, 19.7 percent of the students are identified as gifted. While most students identify as white, there is also a significant representation of Asian, African American, Hispanic, and Multiracial students.
Notable Ardrey Kell Alumni
As one of North Carolina's largest schools, it's no surprise that Ardrey Kell has some notable alumni to their name. These alumni include:
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- Julian Okwara, defensive end for the Detroit Lions
- Trent Thornton, pitcher for the Seattle Mariners
- Mike Senatore, social media influencer responsible for the water bottle flipping trend
- Jack Reinheimer, shortstop for the Kansas City Royals
- Romeo Okwara, defensive end for the Detroit Lions
- Alex Wood, pitcher for the San Francisco Giants
- Tessa Blanchard, professional wrestler
3. South Mecklenburg High School
8900 Park Rd Charlotte, NC 28210
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South Mecklenburg High School is a public school in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. There are 3,202 students attending grades 9 through 12. The teacher-student ratio is 1:19.
South Mecklenburg High School maintains a graduation rate of 87 percent. They provide students with a variety of academic opportunities, including 36 AP and college courses, with a pass rate of 68 percent on exams. The average SAT score at the school is 1200 out of 1600, while the average ACT composite score is 26 out of 36.
What parents and students say about South Mecklenburg High School:
- Their favorite school events are pep rallies, sporting events, and homecoming.
- The students are competitive, creative, athletic, friendly, and hardworking.
- The teachers are caring and engaging towards the students.
- There are many clubs for students to participate in.
South Mecklenburg High School has a student population of 51 percent females and 49 percent males. The majority of students identify as Hispanic, and the rest represent various backgrounds, such as white, African American, Asian, or Multiracial. Furthermore, 12 percent of the students are identified as gifted.
Notable South Mecklenburg Alumni
South Mecklenburg has claim to many notable alumni, including:
- Anthony Hamilton, singer and songwriter
- Carlos Crawford, former pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies
- Stu Cole, former infielder for the Kansas City Royals
- John Brannon, former NFL cornerback
- David Mims, former offensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs
- Vani Hari, food critic known for her online blog, Food Babe
- Walter Davis, former forward/guard for the Phoenix Suns and gold medal winner
- Ricky Berens, gold medal-winning swimmer
- Roman Phifer, former linebacker with the New England Patriots
4. Apex Friendship High School
7801 Humie Olive Road Apex, NC 27502
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Apex Friendship High School is a highly-rated public high school in Apex, North Carolina. This school teaches 2,742 students in grades 9 to 12, with a teacher-student ratio of 1:21. Out of 597 public high schools in North Carolina, this school ranks number 42 for the best public high school.
Apex Friendship High School maintains an impressive average graduation rate of 96 percent. They provide students with 20 AP and college prep courses, enabling them to pursue advanced studies. The average SAT score at the school is 1280 out of 1600, while the average ACT composite score is 28 out of 36. Many students express interest in various college choices, with North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill being the top two preferences.
What parents and students say about Apex Friendship High School:
- The student's favorite school events are homecoming, spirit week, clubs, football games, and pep rallies.
- They feel safe and happy in the school environment.
- The teachers care for the students and are leading in the classroom.
- There are many clubs and organizations that many students participate in.
- The students are friendly, hardworking, unique, outgoing, and strong.
At Apex Friendship High School, a significant portion of the student body, specifically 30.1 percent, are identified as gifted. The gender distribution at the school consists of 51 percent female students and 49 percent male students. The majority of students identify as white, while the remaining majority represent diverse backgrounds, including Hispanic, Asian, African American, and Multiracial.
5. Leesville Road High School
8410 Pride Way Raleigh, NC 27613
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Leesville Road High School is a public high school in Raleigh, North Carolina. There are 2,645 students in grades 9 through 12, with a teacher-student ratio of 1:20. This school is the 12th best high school for athletes in North Carolina.
- 4-serving meals starting at $3.77 per serving (up to 25% cheaper than HelloFresh).
- Incredible variety with 10+ weekly meal options, delivered directly to you.
- Easy to prepare meals ready in 30-minutes or less.
Leesville Road High School maintains an average graduation rate of 92 percent. They provide students with a selection of 21 AP courses to enhance their academic pursuits. The average SAT score at the school is 1240 out of 1600, and the average ACT composite score is 27 out of 36. Many students at Leesville Road High School show interest in pursuing college majors such as business, biology, and nursing.
What parents and students say about Leesville Road High School:
- The student's favorite school traditions are homecoming week, school sporting events, spirit week, pride launch, and theater.
- Students feel safe and happy at school.
- The teachers are engaging, caring, and leading in the classroom.
- There are many clubs and organizations for students to participate in.
- The students are hardworking, unique, prideful, and open to different personalities.
At the school, the student population is comprised of students who identify as white, African American, Hispanic, Asian, or Multiracial. The male students make up 51 percent, while the female students account for 49 percent of the total. Furthermore, 24.7 percent of the students are identified as gifted.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right high school is a crucial decision that can shape your child's future. North Carolina offers several outstanding options to consider. By examining the unique qualities of each school and listening to the feedback from students and parents, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your academic and extracurricular interests.
Furthermore, it is important to consider factors such as graduation rates, the variety of courses offered, and the average scores on standardized tests like the SAT and ACT. These indicators can give you an idea of the academic rigor and overall performance of the schools. Additionally, hearing from current students about their experiences, favorite events, and the school environment can provide valuable insights into the culture and atmosphere of each institution.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com.