The Charlotte, North Carolina Areas Best Public High Schools List

If you live in the Charlotte, NC area your child might be part of one of the best public schools in the region. A good education is something every parent wants for their child. Let's take a look at the Charlotte, North Carolina area's best public high school list.

Niche.com released its 10th annual Best Schools and Districts rankings for 2024 in late September. It used a range of data sources, including the U.S. Department of Education, as well as input from current students, alumni, and parents to measure schools across multiple categories. That includes categories such as teachers, resources and facilities, extracurricular activities, and even food.

The number one school in the area was Bessemer City Early College High School. The school is located in Dallas, NC. A bunch of other schools are among the top 20. You can find some in Gaston County, Union County,  and some in the CMS system.

Charlotte Business Journal wrote about the list. Here is the rundown of the top 10.

1) Bessemer City Early College High School — Dallas, Gaston County Schools/magnet school (9-12)

2) Marvin Ridge High School — Waxhaw, Union County Public Schools (9-12)

3) Ardrey Kell High School — Charlotte, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (9-12)

4) Highland School of Technology — Gastonia, Gaston County Schools/magnet school (9-12)

5) Weddington High School — Matthews, Union County Public Schools (9-12)

6) Central Academy of Technology & Arts — Monroe, Union County Public Schools/magnet school (9-12)

7) Charlotte Engineering Early College — Charlotte, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (9-12)

8) Lake Norman Charter School — Huntersville, charter school (K-12)

9) Nation Ford High School — Fort Mill, Fort Mill School District (9-12)

10) Cabarrus-Kannapolis Early College High School — Concord, Cabarrus County Schools/magnet school (9-12)

Yesterday 8 North Carolina schools were named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. According to the Department of Education, "the recognition is based on a school's overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments. These schools demonstrate what is possible to make an enduring, positive difference in students' lives." A total of 353 schools nationwide received this distinction, this included 313 public schools and 40 private schools. Each of the 8 North Carolina schools recognized was a public school.

The award-winning schools will be formally recognized at an awards ceremony on November 16 and 17, 2023 in Washington, DC. This is the 40th year the Department of Education has selected the National Blue Ribbon Schools. According to the department the criteria for public schools are as follows:

Performance Award Criteria for Public Schools: In order to be eligible for nomination, a school must meet several criteria based on the performance of its students on state assessments in reading (or English language arts) and mathematics or a composite of performance on these assessments with other measures of student performance (e.g., student growth on state assessments, performance on state assessments in other subjects, graduation rates, or other indicators in the state’s accountability system).

You can read more about the eligibility requirements here. Congratulations to each of these eight North Carolina Schools that received the National Blue Ribbon Schools recognition. They represent elementary, middle, and high schools across the state. In fact, there are 7 different school districts represented with the remaining school being a charter school. Keep reading to see and learn a little more about each of these schools. Congratulations and thank you to the teachers and staff of these schools for giving your best to the children of North Carolina!

Location: 5337 Highway 264 East, Washington, NC

District: Beaufort County Schools

Public

Beaufort County Early College High School exists in coordination with Beaufort County Community College where students can earn college credits while in high school. It's one of only two high schools that made this list.

Location: 1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview, NC

District: Buncombe County Schools

Public

There are actually several Fairview Elementary Schools in Charlotte. This one though is in Buncombe County and has approximately 660 students in Kindergarten through Fifth grade.

Location: 4049 Battleground Avenue, Greensboro

District: n/a

Public

Greensboro Academy is a charter school in Greensboro. Charter Schools offer a private school quality eduction but for free. Students simply have to apply for admission which is available to any student in NC. Greensboro Academy serves grades K-8.

Location: 70 Sanders Road, Wilmington

District: New Hanover County Schools

Public

Known as Bellamy Elementary School, this award-winning school serves students in grades 1-5 in Wilmington, NC.

Location: 1600 N Morris Street, Gastonia

District: Gaston County Schools

Public

Our second and last high school on this list, is Highland School of Technology in Gastonia. Highland is the first magnet high school in this district. Students complete courses in one of three academies: Health Sciences; Business, Legal, and Information Sciences; and Manufacturing/Engineering Technology and Graphics. 

Location: 5925 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, NC

District: Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools

Public

Jay M Robinson is a 6-8th grade middle school in the Ballantyne area of Charlotte. It's home to the Chargers!

Location: 6260 E Blalock Road, Lucama NC

District: Wilson County Schools

Public

Lucama serves students in Wilson County in grades K-5. They state the school's purpose is to develop each student to their fullest potential.

Location: 1885 Odell School Road, Concord, NC

District: Cabarrus County Schools

Public

Odell Elementary is a grades 3-5 elementary school in Concord, NC.