Mecklenburg County School District

Mecklenburg County School District: A Top Choice for Families Near Charlotte

Families moving to the Charlotte area often ask about the Mecklenburg County School District (also known as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, or CMS)—and for good reason. This large, diverse district serves thousands of students and includes some of the best schools in Mecklenburg County School District. It's just minutes from Uptown Charlotte and offers easy access to top-rated neighborhoods.

Parents researching schools often turn to trusted tools like SchoolDigger, GreatSchools, and Niche to compare scores, reviews, and rankings

District Snapshot

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) serves over 140,000 students across 175+ campuses, making it one of the largest districts in North Carolina. CMS offers standout programs like International Baccalaureate (IB), STEM, language immersion, and career/tech academies. Graduation rates hover around 85%, with many high schools scoring above state averages in reading and math.

Top Schools in Gaston County School District

Looking for the best schools in Gaston County School District? Below, we’ve highlighted top-rated elementary, middle, and high schools based on test scores, parent reviews, and college readiness data from sources like SchoolDigger and GreatSchools. Each school name links to its official website for more details.

Top-Rated Elementary Schools

• Elizabeth Lane Elementary – Strong test scores and community support.

• Providence Spring Elementary – Family-favorite with advanced academics.

• Ballantyne Elementary – Diverse, inclusive, and high-performing.

• Beverly Woods Elementary – High ratings in academics and equity.

• Irwin Academic Center – Gifted program and historic reputation.

Top-Rated Middle Schools

• Jay M. Robinson Middle – Top test scores in the district.

• Community House Middle – Great academic and extracurricular mix.

• South Charlotte Middle – High-performing with small class sizes.

• Alexander Graham Middle – Robust gifted and arts programs.

• Bailey Middle – STEM focus and strong parent involvement.

Top-Rated High Schools

• Ardrey Kell High – Top scores and college readiness.

• Providence High – Strong athletics and AP programs

• Myers Park High – International Baccalaureate (IB) magnet

• Hough High – STEM-forward with modern campus

• Cato Middle College High – Early college and dual enrollment

Why Families Love This District

Families choose CMS for its wide range of academic choices, inclusive school culture, and active community support. Many schools offer small class sizes, dual-language magnets, award-winning arts programs, and competitive athletics. Whether your student is into science, the arts, or team sports, there’s a space for them to thrive here.

Looking for a specific campus? Explore the full Mecklenburg County School District directory.