Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#2592 of 2,648 schools in NC

Charlotte Lab School

School · Charlotte Lab School

2045 Suttle Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28208

Charter

Enrollment

1,002

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

3.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Charlotte

#169 of 173

public schools

North Carolina schools

#116 of 120

About Charlotte Lab School

Charlotte Lab School serves 1,002 students from kindergarten through 12th grade as a public charter school in Charlotte, North Carolina. With 67 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 15.0:1 student-teacher ratio, providing opportunities for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school is currently focusing on student development, with 43% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and 31% in mathematics.

These results indicate significant room for academic growth, and the school's charter status may allow for innovative approaches to address these challenges and better serve its diverse student body. Located on Suttle Avenue in the 28208 ZIP code area, Charlotte Lab School sits within a community where the median household income is $48,819 and median home values average $169,200. The surrounding neighborhood has a poverty rate of 20.5%, with 24% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

As part of Mecklenburg County's educational landscape, Charlotte Lab School operates within one of North Carolina's largest urban school districts. The school's position in Charlotte provides students access to the resources and opportunities that come with being located in a major metropolitan area.

What Parents Should Know

Charlotte Lab School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.5Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.92 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.3%
Math vs. State Avg-31.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.7 pts
Overall Proficiency39%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected-22.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
College Readiness3.1Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation3.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,031

Charlotte Lab School — Students at Charlotte Lab School score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 33.6%
School
State
56.8%
ELA Proficiency 47.1%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 18 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
47%
ELA
64%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
54%
2025
Math
31.2%
ELA
43.7%

* 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: 1.5/10.

How Charlotte Lab School Compares

See how Charlotte Lab School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.3/10
2th percentile in NC
Academic
3.6/10
3.6/10
Growth
1.5/10
Below average
Environment
5.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
67 teachers

Location

2045 Suttle Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28208

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Charlotte Lab School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Metro School (rated 7.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, KENT ACADEMY (rated 5.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Charlotte, see our Charlotte schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Bruns Avenue Elementary Charlotte 1.0 mi 6.0
Movement Charter School Charlotte 1.1 mi 6.4
Stewart Creek High Charlotte 1.2 mi 5.6
CHARLOTTE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Charlotte 1.3 mi
Ashley Park PreK-8 School Charlotte 1.2 mi 7.8
KENT ACADEMY Charlotte 1.4 mi 5.8
Charles H. Parker Academic Center Charlotte 1.5 mi 6.0
Dilworth Elementary School Latta Campus Charlotte 1.5 mi 8.2
Irwin Academic Center Charlotte 1.4 mi 5.5
Marie G Davis School Charlotte 1.7 mi 6.9
Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology Charlotte 1.5 mi 6.1
Metro School Charlotte 1.7 mi 7.0
EPIPHANY SCHOOL OF CHARLOTTE Charlotte 1.8 mi
BROOKSTONE SCHOOLS Charlotte 1.8 mi 7.7
SEDGEFIELD SCHOOL Charlotte 2.1 mi 5.6
Sedgefield Middle Charlotte 2.2 mi 8.3
Oaklawn Language Academy Charlotte 2.1 mi 9.2
Harding University High School Charlotte 1.9 mi 5.4
Northwest School of the Arts Charlotte 2.3 mi 6.7
Walter G. Byers School Charlotte 2.1 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28208 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,339

Median Home Value

$198,300

Median Rent

$1,173/mo

Population

38,948

College Educated

25.8%

Homeownership

39.7%

Avg Commute

24.6 min

Poverty Rate

20.1%

Median Age

33.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Charlotte Lab School has a median household income of $51,339. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $198,300, with a median rent of $1,173/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Millennium Charter Academy Mount Airy, NC 3.3
Queen's Grant Community School Mint Hill, NC 3.3
TMSA Charlotte Charlotte, NC 3.4
ARENDELL PARROTT ACADEMY Kinston, NC 3.5
Clover Garden Burlington, NC 3.5
GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sanford, NC 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Charlotte Lab School

What grades does Charlotte Lab School serve?

Charlotte Lab School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Charlotte Lab School?

Charlotte Lab School has an enrollment of approximately 1,002 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Charlotte Lab School?

The student-teacher ratio at Charlotte Lab School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Charlotte Lab School rank in NC?

Charlotte Lab School is ranked #2592 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Charlotte Lab School's MySchoolScout rating?

Charlotte Lab School has a composite rating of 3.3 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 Charlotte Lab School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Charlotte Lab School has 33.6% math proficiency and 47.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Charlotte Lab School a charter school?

Yes, Charlotte Lab School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Charlotte Lab School a Title I school?

No, Charlotte Lab School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Charlotte Lab School?

41.1% of students at Charlotte Lab 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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
45 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
39 Some Transit
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
1,002
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
67
Free/Reduced Lunch
41.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Mecklenburg County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Charlotte Lab School
District Enrollment
1,002
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,430
District Rank
#1 of 1

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.