Best Middle Schools
in Charlotte, North Carolina
We ranked all 26 middle schools in Charlotte. The top 25 scored between 3.4 and 8.5 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and North Carolina education data
Charlotte's middle school landscape spans 23 ranked schools, with performance ranging from a district average of 5.7 out of 10 up to Coulwood STEM Academy, the top performer at 8.5. That nearly three-point gap between the average and the leader signals real variation — where a student lands matters. Only five schools, about 22% of the ranked list, clear the 7-out-of-10 threshold. Coulwood STEM Academy and Sedgefield Middle sit at the top, followed closely by McClintock Middle, Whitewater Middle, and Wilson STEM Academy. Families prioritizing academics will want to pay close attention to score spreads, not just school names. The table below lets you sort by composite score, location, and other key metrics to find the middle schools that best match what you're looking for.
Coulwood STEM Academy
Sedgefield Middle
FUSION CHARLOTTE
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Charlotte's Middle Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%) measures standardized test performance in math and reading. Student Growth (20%) tracks improvement over time. Equity (15%) evaluates how well a school serves all student groups. Environment (15%) considers class size, spending, and attendance. All scores are computed within North Carolina so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coulwood STEM Academy Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 8.5 |
| 2 | Sedgefield Middle Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 8.3 |
| 3 | FUSION CHARLOTTE | 7.6 |
| 4 | McClintock Middle Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 7.2 |
| 5 | Whitewater Middle Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 7.1 |
| 6 | Wilson STEM Academy Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 7.1 |
| 7 | Carmel Middle Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 6.8 |
| 8 | Community House Middle Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 6.8 |
| 9 | Jay M. Robinson Middle Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 6.0 |
| 10 | Northridge Middle Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 5.9 |
| 11 | South Charlotte Middle Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 5.7 |
| 12 | Kennedy Middle Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 5.7 |
| 13 | Eastway Middle Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 5.4 |
| 14 | Piedmont Middle School Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 5.3 |
| 15 | Quail Hollow Middle Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 5.1 |
| 16 | Randolph Middle Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 5.0 |
| 17 | Gov's Village STEM (Upper) Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 5.0 |
| 18 | James Martin Middle Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 4.9 |
| 19 | HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL | 4.6 |
| 20 | Ranson Middle Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 4.5 |
| 21 | Albemarle Road Middle Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 4.4 |
| 22 | Ridge Road Middle Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 4.3 |
| 23 | Southwest Middle School Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 3.9 |
| 24 | Martin Luther King Jr Middle Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 3.9 |
| 25 | Alexander Graham Middle Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 3.4 |
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 middle schools in North Carolina. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 Middle 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 Middle Schools
Choosing the Right Middle 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 middle school landscape is one of the most diverse in North Carolina, with 26 schools spanning 26 school districts.
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 middle school in Charlotte, North Carolina?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Coulwood STEM Academy is the top-rated middle school in Charlotte with a composite score of 8.5/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
How many middle schools are in Charlotte, North Carolina?
Charlotte has 26 middle schools. Of these, 25 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average middle school rating in Charlotte?
The average composite score for Charlotte middle schools is 5.7/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in North Carolina).
How does MySchoolScout rate middle schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). 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.