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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.
The largest
public school system in the Carolinas is Charlotte Mecklenburg
Schools (CMS) with over 112,000 students enrolled in 145
schools.. CMS was ranked 23rd largest in the nation in 2002-2003,
Charlotte-Mecklenburg has initiated 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 children.
See
CMS website for
details.
CMS has a magnet school
program that provides opportunities for students to pursue specific
interests in their education. Fourteen magnet programs in 51
schools focus on such subjects as foreign language immersion;
finance and banking, communication arts, math, science and
technology, visual and performing arts, and global studies.
CMS graduates outperformed
their peers statewide and nationally . They scored 1208 on the SAT
in comparison to 1182 for the top 10k in North Carolina and 1192 for
the top 10% in the U.S.
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. In the first year that all CMS high schools
were included in the ABCs, 12 of 14 achieved Exemplary Growth. Check
the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's website at
www.dpi.statc.nc.us for details on the
ABCs at the schools you're considering.
The Charlotte region also
has a many independent secular and religious private schools to
offer. Some large, well-established schools have huge
campuses . There's even a parochial school system, Mecklenburg Area
Catholic Schools, which encompasses the county's seven parochial
schools . You'll find a range of 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,
Another option is
our Charter schools . These schools are independently operated
public schools designed to serve as laboratories for innovation in
education. Mostly started 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.
Additional
School Information
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School Eligibility Requirements
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Charlotte Area Schools
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Colleges and Universities
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Public Schools
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Preschools
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Summer Camps
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