2024 Best Schools in the Charlotte Area

• Charlotte, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.46 out of 5  65 reviews

Parent: PD is far more than a top notch TK-12 college prep school! It is truly a community of dedicated, attentive & engaged teachers, administrators, staff, parents & families. PD is our second home. The curriculum is rigorous, the extracurriculars are wide ranging, and mental health & student support services are exemplary. More importantly, the student service opportunities are limitless and students actively participate by choice. We chose PD due to their welcoming of diverse families, and my daughters have close friends from a wide range of backgrounds, religions, and ethnicities. My oldest daughter recently matriculated from PD to a highly selective college and hasn't missed a beat. PD prepared her to solve problems, think critically, manage her time, practice self-care and instinctively make a positive difference in the larger community. My youngest daughter at PD is thriving and discovering an intense interest in STEM activities, such as Radio Astronomy. PD is truly exceptional!... Read 65 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,903

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Gastonia, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.57 out of 5  119 reviews

Parent: My children thrived at GDS under the guidance of excellent teachers, professional administration and a student body whose parents are invested in their children and the school community. The academics are rigorous and students and expected to give their best. Our daughter was very well prepared for her college classes at a top tier university. Sports are competitive yet accessible the art program is unmatched! There is something special awaiting every child at GDS!... Read 119 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 455

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Charlotte, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  42 reviews

Alum: Country Day is an incredible school with excellent teachers, passionate coaches, and a friendly student body. The school fosters a strong sense of community and truly cares about its faculty. Country Day also offers extra-curricular activities that provide students with the opportunity to perform at the highest levels of athletic, artistic, and academic competition. Having completed my freshman year of college, I can easily say that I was better prepared than many of my fellow first year students. Country Day is truly a college preparatory school in every sense—alums will be equipped with the skills they need to thrive in college, provided they are willing to work hard. I can’t think of a better high school to be a student athlete or developing artist or budding scientist than Country Day—the emphasis on the whole of the student is truly remarkable. With all of its strengths, its few weaknesses—bad cafeteria food and a handful of subpar administrators—don’t really register.... Read 42 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,738

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Charlotte, NC•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.47 out of 5  89 reviews

Alum: CLS prepared me so well for college. I attended a top university and felt like the transition from high school to a rigorous college environment was smooth––if not easier than my high school workload. The faculty at CLS invest in the students and encourage the value of learning more than perfection and top grades. I regularly keep in touch with old teachers and coaches, which not many of my non-CLS friends relate to. While diversity is historically lacking, the DEI office is spectacular and led by inspiring individuals who seek to make Latin a more inclusive place. The only negative comments I have in regard to my CLS experience relate to the parents of students. I never encountered high school bullies in my peers, but some of the parents of my peers were weirdly over-invested in their children's social lives and college "competition." However, I have found that CLS students hold one another to high standards of moral character, honor, and respect. I truly loved my time at Latin!... Read 89 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,481

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Gaston County Schools, NC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Senior: In terms of academics and teachers, this school is great. It is a difficult school with many projects and focus on teamwork, but it definitely prepares you for college. Having college classes along high school classes allows us to get an idea of what university will be like. I wish there was more diversity in my grade, but underclassmen seem to be more diverse. I wish we had more music and art classes as electives, but we can take them as college classes. Overall, it is a hard school, but you get used to it.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 238

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Union County Public Schools, NC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  463 reviews

Senior: Marvin ridge high is a great school. There is many options for classes that help students to explore different interests. It is a very safe campus that has 24/7 protection. Marvin has helped me make friends with some amazing people and has helped me become more involved in things i’m passionate about. There are so many clubs and sports to try out that really help to get you involved with the school. As someone who has been to multiple schools, Marvin really stands out to me academically and socially!... Read 463 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,032

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, NC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  712 reviews

Senior: I loved the experience of being a student at Ardrey Kell high school. The staff- consisting of administrators, educators, counselors, and the janitorial team all work hard to provide the best experience to the school. Great quality education is offered to students who want to achieve not only their high school diploma, but challenge themselves and enrich their minds through honors and AP ( Advanced Placement) programs/classes. We have teachers willing to give time to help students through tutoring and extra practice with additional help in the mornings before school starts. We have a creative and talented student body government that also helps in creating a fun time for students through organized fundraisers, athletic games, school themes for spirit week and pep rallys. Ardrey Kell Highscool is known for its top education offers here in NC and definitely lives up to its name!... Read 712 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,494

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Charlotte, NC•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  15 reviews

Parent: Having been at the school since its inception and assisting in many ways from start-up fundraising, marketing, assisting in the classroom and coaching, I can tell you that the Scholars’ Academy is a gifted school like no other. With my three children attending (one having had AWEFUL experiences in public school before being identified as twice gifted), they were able to freely explore their intellectual abilities and create solid lifelong friendships. All organizations have growing pains and our school may not be perfect for your student… that is an opportunity for the parent to find the right place where their student flourishes! The Scholars’ Academy lets kids be kids, have fun and learn at their speed. Being at SA is like a trip to the United Nations of Children. Our diversity is broad. Moving into high school is always an adjustment, but for 9 years my children were able to feel good in their skin and have fun learning!... Read 15 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 398

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Fort Mill School District, SC•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Middle School Student: Hi! My name is Jia and I’m an 8th grader at Pleasant Knoll Middle School. I think my school is wonderful for the most part. We have a really great staff as well as facilities such as the computer lab and the library! However, I wish there was more diversity. As you can probably imagine, there also is very little culture and I can’t really express mine. As a South Asian, I think diversity is really important and should be valued. Additionally, our school puts most of its emphasis on sports. The academic as well as the theater, music and art programs don’t get as much funding or materials. I feel as though athletics, academics, and the arts are all equally important and should be treated that way! I do believe Pleasant Knoll Middle is an engaging environment and I am truly lucky to have an opportunity to go to a great school, but there are certainly just a few things I would change.... Read 1 review

• grade A+

• Students 932

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Gaston County Schools, NC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  240 reviews

Junior: Highland School of Technology is a great STEM school, with pathway-specific courses. For instance, those who apply and are accepted into the Dental pathway will take several specialized dental courses throughout their time at Highland. The teachers are always ready to give extra time to help students understand a tough subject, and the students are intelligent and driven. There are many clubs, sports, and other extracurriculars that students can participate in outside of the classroom, and students are given a voice. Highland could improve the cafeteria food quality, the dress code stringency (focused almost entirely on only girls, despite many male dress code violations), and sports funding.... Read 240 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 533

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Fort Mill School District, SC•

• K-5

• grade A+

• Students 894

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Fort Mill School District, SC•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  3 reviews

Middle School Student: It is a very clean and organized school. Amazing teachers and wonderful staff. Everyone is nice and is happy to help.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 695

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Union County Public Schools, NC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  410 reviews

Senior: The four years I've spent at Weddington High School have been exciting, rewarding, inspiring, and fulfilling. The school environment is inviting and safe, which has become one of my greatest priorities over the past few years. I have found teachers that actively motivate me to improve and friends that allow me to be the best version of myself. Like many big schools, however, it is easy to feel small or unseen, especially in social contexts. I feel that Weddington could improve by integrating more team-building and social activities/events into the extracurricular schedule to build a closer bond between all types of students. From here, students can be more eager to attend school, allowing them to perform better academically, socially, and mentally.... Read 410 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,844

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Davidson, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  71 reviews

Senior: I love Davidson Day. It is so helpful in the college process and really gets you prepared for life. It has done so much for me in terms of growth and has brought me so much joy in terms of the love and Carew the teachers show during your time during high school. They always know what they are doing and never fail to rise to the occasion. Davidson Day has done a great job with me and my peers education and has always been willing to go the extra mile. Davidson day has great leadership and core values that will stick with me for the rest of my life!... Read 71 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 456

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Union County Public Schools, NC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.32 out of 5  173 reviews

Junior: I’ve been attending CATA for three years now and I’ve never been happier at a school before! The teachers are all amazing; they’re all so supportive, engaging, and teach incredibly well. On top of that, the environment itself is very comfortable. It’s a very diverse school where everyone can express themselves freely without judgment and I really appreciate the open atmosphere at CATA. Though we may not have the best athletics (which I personally don’t have much interest in as it is), our school is very competitive in terms of academics. I feel like I’m actually somewhat challenged here which I’m personally very grateful for. CATA definitely isn’t your typical public school and I’d recommend it to anybody who has interest in going.... Read 173 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 809

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Fort Mill School District, SC•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: The teachers and staff at PKES are very welcoming and always make time to talk to us about our kid's progress in school! They have pushed my kids to become critical thinkers and risk takers by providing STEM lessons with opportunities to collaborate and explore the world around them. The teachers at PKES truly love what they do!... Read 1 review

• grade A+

• Students 810

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Fort Mill School District, SC•

• 6-8

• grade A+

• Students 839

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Fort Mill School District, SC•

• K-5

• grade A+

• Students 735

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, NC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.54 out of 5  26 reviews

Senior: I want to start off by saying that Charlotte Engineering Early College, also known as CEEC, has given me an amazing opportunity that I will forever cherish. The teachers and faculty are all so invested in the students. CEEC has allowed many students, such as myself, to earn various kinds of college credits through UNC Charlotte. That being said, I would love for the CEEC teachers to have a more thorough conversation about potential pathways. One such example would be informing students that many engineering classes will not be offered until they actually enroll in UNC Charlotte. Being more realistic with students would help them immensely in the long run. Even though CEEC could better prepare students, the opportunity handed to them is such a blessing. Students who go there with the intention to succeed will be given such an opportunity. CEEC is not your typical high school experience, but it offers an opportunity like no other.... Read 26 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 299

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Concord, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  89 reviews

Senior: My experience at Cannon School was very fun. There are so many wonderful things to do here - the campus is gorgeous when the sun's out, our student community is very lively and driven, and I like how Cannon has many resources for students in all areas - academic, personal, extracurricular, and more. I think that Cannon School could improve on some things - like our tutoring program - but the good thing is that efforts are already being made to improve that and other things. Cannon School is constantly changing for the better, and our students are top-notch. It's a great place to be at.... Read 89 reviews

• grade A

• Students 990

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Fort Mill School District, SC•

• K-5

• grade A

• Students 717

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Fort Mill School District, SC•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  9 reviews

• grade A

• Students 677

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Fort Mill School District, SC•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: It’s a great school! Teachers are friendly and active in child’s learning. There are lots of community activities.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 705

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Fort Mill School District, SC•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 745

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Charlotte, NC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  122 reviews

Alum: Charlotte Christian School has made a lifelong impact on both me and my family. Starting as a student from 1996 - 2003 for middle through upper school and staying involved as an alum, the teachers and leaders at Charlotte Christian shaped me from a young age and continue to make an impact on my life today. Additionally, I have two nieces who started in Junior Kindergarten and have been students at CCS for ten years. It is special watching from an outside perspective the impact the school is having on their lives and continues to make a difference for generations. The school has incredible academics, arts, athletics, and most importantly, focuses on God. I am so blessed to have attended Charlotte Christian School for 7 years and still be able to experience so many special blessings as a part of the CCS community to this day!... Read 122 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,239

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1