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Average

#1956 of 2,648 schools in NC

Cato Middle College High School

High School · Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

PO Box 35009, Charlotte, NC 28235

Enrollment

194

Student-Teacher

48.5:1

Score

5.4

Grades

11th – UG

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Charlotte

#124 of 173

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#286 of 579

In district

#136 of 179

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Academic performance

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Cato Middle College High School

Cato Middle College High School is a unique institution located in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina, offering an innovative educational experience for students. Serving grades 11 through undergraduate levels, this regular public school has a student body of just 194 students and employs four full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a high student-teacher ratio of 48.5:1. Despite the small size and large class sizes, Cato Middle College High School boasts an academic score of 8.0 out of 10 from MySchoolScout, with 82% of students proficient or above in math.

Ranked at #1343 among North Carolina’s 2661 schools, the school is in the 50th percentile and has a rating of 5.6/10 on MySchoolScout, indicating there is room for academic growth and development. The school's location within a bustling city environment provides students with diverse opportunities beyond the classroom. Cato Middle College High School stands out as an educational hub in the heart of Charlotte, offering a distinctive blend of high school and college-level studies to prepare its students for higher education and career advancement.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 194 students, Cato Middle College High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

The student-teacher ratio at Cato Middle College High School is 48.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.3Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.37 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.6Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68%
Math vs. State Avg+12 pts
Overall Proficiency68%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected+9.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College Readiness9.1Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation22.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.2Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio48.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,853

Cato Middle College High School — Students at Cato Middle College High School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 81.7%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency N/A
School
State
N/A

Based on 3 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
87%
2021*
Math
90%
2025
Math
68%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.3/10.

How Cato Middle College High School Compares

See how Cato Middle College High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
26th percentile in NC
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
1.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
49:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

PO Box 35009, Charlotte, NC 28235

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cato Middle College High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Char Eng Early College-UNCC (rated 6.5/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Charlotte Teacher Early College (rated 4.7/10, 3.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Julius L. Chambers High School (rated 3.6/10, 3.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Charlotte, see our Charlotte schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Northridge Middle Charlotte 0.4 mi 5.9
Joseph W Grier Academy Charlotte 0.4 mi 5.0
Vaughan Academy of Technology Charlotte 1.4 mi 9.0
Devonshire Elementary Charlotte 1.6 mi 3.7
Cochrane Collegiate Academy Charlotte 1.7 mi 3.5
Newell Elementary Charlotte 2.0 mi 5.8
United Community School Charlotte 2.4 mi 5.0
Briarwood Academy Charlotte 2.1 mi 5.7
KIPP Charlotte Charlotte 2.2 mi 6.0
INTELLICOR INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Charlotte 2.6 mi 8.0
Hickory Grove Elementary Charlotte 2.8 mi 4.8
Lawrence Orr Elementary Charlotte 2.8 mi 4.5
American Leadership Academy Charlotte Charlotte 2.6 mi 4.7
Char Eng Early College-UNCC Charlotte 3.1 mi 6.5
Charlotte Teacher Early College Charlotte 3.1 mi 4.7
Reedy Creek Elementary Charlotte 2.7 mi 6.4
Martin Luther King Jr Middle Charlotte 2.7 mi 3.9
James Martin Middle Charlotte 3.1 mi 4.9
Windsor Park Elementary Charlotte 3.3 mi 7.1
Julius L. Chambers High School Charlotte 3.3 mi 3.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
A&T Four Middle College Greensboro, NC 5.5
Community High School Swannanoa, NC 5.5
Rutherford Early College High School Spindale, NC 5.5
Shaw Academy Laurinburg, NC 5.5
Turning Point Academy Charlotte, NC 5.5
Davie County Early College High Mocksville, NC 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cato Middle College High School

What grades does Cato Middle College High School serve?

Cato Middle College High School serves students in grades 11th through UG.

How many students attend Cato Middle College High School?

Cato Middle College High School has an enrollment of approximately 194 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cato Middle College High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cato Middle College High School is 48.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cato Middle College High School rank in NC?

Cato Middle College High School is ranked #1956 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Cato Middle College High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cato Middle College High School has a composite rating of 5.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Cato Middle College High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cato Middle College High School has 81.7% math proficiency.

Is Cato Middle College High School a charter school?

No, Cato Middle College High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cato Middle College High School a Title I school?

No, Cato Middle College High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cato Middle College High School?

53.6% of students at Cato Middle College High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
11th – UG
Enrollment
194
Student-Teacher Ratio
48.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Mecklenburg County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
District Enrollment
144,116
Schools in District
184
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,198
District Rank
#136 of 179

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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