Average
#1151 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
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
447
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,151 of 2,648
In Charlotte
#69 of 174
public schools
In district
#72 of 179
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Equity
7.2 / 10
Very Good
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First Ward Creative Arts Academy
Elementary School in Charlotte · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Trinity Episcopal School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Piedmont Middle School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About First Ward Creative Arts Academy
First Ward Creative Arts Academy is a public elementary school in Charlotte, NC, part of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. First Ward Creative Arts Academy serves approximately 447 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. First Ward Creative Arts Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,151 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for First Ward Creative Arts Academy show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.7 · Average
- District avg 6.3
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
42% of students at First Ward Creative Arts Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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: 47%).
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 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.0/10.
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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Dilworth Elementary School Latta Campus (rated 9.1/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Villa Heights Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Irwin Academic Center (rated 8.0/10, 1.2 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 | 6.9 |
| BROOKSTONE SCHOOLS Charlotte | 0.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Central Piedmont Early College Charlotte | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Metro School Charlotte | 0.9 mi | 2.9 |
| Elizabeth Traditional Elem Charlotte | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Walter G. Byers School Charlotte | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences Charlotte | 1.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Military and Global Leadership Charlotte | 1.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Irwin Academic Center Charlotte | 1.2 mi | 8.0 |
| EPIPHANY SCHOOL OF CHARLOTTE Charlotte | 1.3 mi | — |
| Villa Heights Elementary Charlotte | 1.2 mi | 8.5 |
| VERITAS Community School CFA Charlotte | 1.7 mi | 1.4 |
| Dilworth Elementary School Latta Campus Charlotte | 1.6 mi | 9.1 |
| TEACHING ACHIEVING STUDENTS ACADEMY Charlotte | 1.9 mi | — |
| CHARLOTTE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Charlotte | 1.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Oaklawn Language Academy Charlotte | 1.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Druid Hills Academy Charlotte | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Beverly Hills Elementary Concord, NC | 6.7 |
| Camden Intermediate Camden, NC | 6.7 |
| Cape Fear Center for Inquiry Wilmington, NC | 6.7 |
| Catawba Elementary School Catawba, NC | 6.7 |
| Glendale-Kenly Elementary Kenly, NC | 6.7 |
| J W Seabrook Elementary Fayetteville, NC | 6.7 |
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 ranks #1,151 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is First Ward Creative Arts Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
First Ward Creative Arts Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at First Ward Creative Arts Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, First Ward Creative Arts Academy has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.1%
- Phone
- (980) 343-5485
Resources & Links
District
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools- District Enrollment
- 144,116
- Schools in District
- 184
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,198
- District Rank
- #72 of 179
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