Average
#1147 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 43% in state
First Ward Creative Arts Academy
Elementary School · Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
715 N. Caldwell St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Enrollment
447
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
447
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Charlotte
#70 of 173
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#885 of 1,474
In district
#82 of 179
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
School environment
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About First Ward Creative Arts Academy
First Ward Creative Arts Academy is an elementary school in Charlotte, North Carolina, serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade. With a student body of 447 and a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1, the school provides a relatively small class size that allows for more individualized attention. The teachers at First Ward Creative Arts Academy are full-time professionals dedicated to nurturing young minds.
The academic performance of the school is rated at 5.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout and ranks as the 44th percentile among North Carolina schools, with 43% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 50% in Math. While these scores suggest room for improvement, First Ward Creative Arts Academy focuses on creative learning methods to engage students and foster a love of education. Located in the heart of Charlotte, the school benefits from being situated within a bustling city environment that offers numerous cultural and educational resources right at its doorstep.
This setting provides an ideal backdrop for enriching young lives with diverse experiences beyond traditional classroom walls.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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First Ward Creative Arts Academy — Students at First Ward Creative Arts Academy score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.2/10.
How First Ward Creative Arts Academy Compares
See how First Ward Creative Arts Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 49% (2019) to 55.1% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 38% (2019) to 45.5% (2025).
Location
715 N. Caldwell St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering First Ward Creative Arts Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Oaklawn Language Academy (rated 9.2/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Elizabeth Traditional Elem (rated 8.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Druid Hills Academy (rated 8.6/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Charlotte, see our Charlotte schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| TRINITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Charlotte | 0.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Piedmont Middle School Charlotte | 0.6 mi | 5.3 |
| BROOKSTONE SCHOOLS Charlotte | 0.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Central Piedmont Early College Charlotte | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Metro School Charlotte | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Elizabeth Traditional Elem Charlotte | 1.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Walter G. Byers School Charlotte | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences Charlotte | 1.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Military and Global Leadership Charlotte | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Irwin Academic Center Charlotte | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| EPIPHANY SCHOOL OF CHARLOTTE Charlotte | 1.3 mi | — |
| Villa Heights Elementary Charlotte | 1.2 mi | 8.4 |
| VERITAS Community School CFA Charlotte | 1.7 mi | 1.5 |
| Dilworth Elementary School Latta Campus Charlotte | 1.6 mi | 8.2 |
| TEACHING ACHIEVING STUDENTS ACADEMY Charlotte | 1.9 mi | — |
| CHARLOTTE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Charlotte | 1.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Oaklawn Language Academy Charlotte | 1.8 mi | 9.2 |
| Druid Hills Academy Charlotte | 2.0 mi | 8.6 |
| CHARLOTTE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Charlotte | 1.8 mi | — |
| KENT ACADEMY Charlotte | 1.9 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28202 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$101,711
Median Home Value
$425,900
Median Rent
$1,862/mo
Population
16,855
College Educated
63.6%
Homeownership
26.7%
Avg Commute
19.8 min
Poverty Rate
12.4%
Median Age
29.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding First Ward Creative Arts Academy has a median household income of $101,711. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $425,900, with a median rent of $1,862/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.4%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Archer Elementary Greensboro, NC | 6.8 |
| Boone Trail Elementary Mamers, NC | 6.8 |
| Broadway Elementary Broadway, NC | 6.8 |
| Carr Elementary Dallas, NC | 6.8 |
| Chantilly Montessori Charlotte, NC | 6.8 |
| Davis-Townsend Elementary Lexington, NC | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about First Ward Creative Arts Academy
What grades does First Ward Creative Arts Academy serve?
First Ward Creative Arts Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend First Ward Creative Arts Academy?
First Ward Creative Arts Academy has an enrollment of approximately 447 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at First Ward Creative Arts Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at First Ward Creative Arts Academy is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does First Ward Creative Arts Academy rank in NC?
First Ward Creative Arts Academy is ranked #1147 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is First Ward Creative Arts Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
First Ward Creative Arts Academy has a composite rating of 6.8 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 First Ward Creative Arts Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, First Ward Creative Arts Academy has 50.0% math proficiency and 42.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is First Ward Creative Arts Academy a charter school?
No, First Ward Creative Arts Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is First Ward Creative Arts Academy a Title I school?
No, First Ward Creative Arts Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for First Ward Creative Arts Academy?
98.9% of students at First Ward Creative Arts Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 447
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Mecklenburg County
- Phone
- (980) 343-5485
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools- District Enrollment
- 144,116
- Schools in District
- 184
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,198
- District Rank
- #82 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 methodologyRelated reading
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