Best High Schools
in Charlotte, North Carolina
We ranked the 33 high schools in Charlotte with real test data. The top 25 scored between 4.3 and 8.6 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and North Carolina education data
The short answer
The top-rated high schools in Charlotte for 2026 are Williams Secondary Montessori (8.6/10), Char Eng Early College-uncc (8.1/10), and Northwest School of the Arts (8.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 33 rated high schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a high school in Charlotte?
Every high school in Charlotte is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Williams Secondary Montessori
Charlotte, NC. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Char Eng Early College-uncc
Charlotte, NC. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Northwest School of the Arts
Charlotte, NC. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Charlotte's ranked high school landscape covers 29 schools, with performance spread across a wide range. Williams Secondary Montessori leads the group with a 7.9 out of 10 — the only school in the metro to clear the 7-point mark, which represents just 3% of ranked high schools here. The average composite score sits at 5.3 out of 10, meaning most families will find meaningful variation between their options. Northwest School of the Arts and West Charlotte High School both land at 6.7, putting them in a tight cluster just below the top spot. Char-Eng Early College at UNCC and Harper Middle College High round out the upper tier. The table below lets you sort by the metrics that matter most to your family — academics, environment, or overall score — so you can move past the averages and find the schools worth a closer look.
Williams Secondary Montessori
Char Eng Early College-uncc
Northwest School of the Arts
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Charlotte's High Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within North Carolina so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 33 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Williams Secondary Montessori Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 8.6 |
| 2 | Char Eng Early College-uncc Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 8.1 |
| 3 | Northwest School of the Arts Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 8.0 |
| 4 | Providence High School Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 8.0 |
| 5 | Ardrey Kell High School Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 8.0 |
| 6 | East Mecklenburg High School Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 7.6 |
| 7 | Harper Middle College High Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 7.6 |
| 8 | Myers Park High School Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 7.5 |
| 9 | Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 7.5 |
| 10 | Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 7.3 |
| 11 | Philips Academy | 7.3 |
| 12 | Cato Middle College High School Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 7.2 |
| 13 | Central Piedmont Early College Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 6.8 |
| 14 | Fusion Academy and Learning Center - Charlotte | 6.8 |
| 15 | Olympic High School Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 6.7 |
| 16 | South Mecklenburg High School Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 6.6 |
| 17 | Mallard Creek High School Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 6.0 |
| 18 | Charlotte-mecklenburg Virtual School Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 5.8 |
| 19 | Independence High School Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 5.7 |
| 20 | Charlotte Teacher Early College Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 5.1 |
| 21 | Trinity Christian Preparatory School | 5.0 |
| 22 | Turning Point Academy Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 4.9 |
| 23 | Charlotte Catholic High School | 4.5 |
| 24 | Military and Global Leadership Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 4.4 |
| 25 | Garinger High School Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 4.3 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and North Carolina education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in North Carolina. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 High Schools in Charlotte
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Charlotte's Top 10 High Schools
Choosing the Right High School in Charlotte
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Charlotte's high school landscape is one of the most diverse in North Carolina, with 35 schools spanning 26 school districts, plus 3 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best high school in Charlotte, North Carolina?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Williams Secondary Montessori is the top-rated high school in Charlotte with a composite score of 8.6/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many high schools are in Charlotte, North Carolina?
Charlotte has 35 high schools, including 3 charter schools. Of these, 33 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Charlotte?
The average composite score for Charlotte high schools is 5.9/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in North Carolina).
How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within North Carolina, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in North Carolina, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Charlotte high school rankings?
Yes. Charlotte has 3 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.