Excellent
#410 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 15% in state
Highland Mill Montessori
Elementary School · Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
3201 Clemson Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Enrollment
331
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
331
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Charlotte
#23 of 173
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#371 of 1,474
In district
#27 of 179
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Academic performance
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Highland Mill Montessori
Highland Mill Montessori serves 331 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in Charlotte's 28205 zip code, offering a distinctive Montessori approach within the public school system. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio that supports individualized learning. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning an impressive 8.5 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking 92nd out of 2,661 North Carolina elementary schools, placing it in the 97th percentile statewide.
Students excel in core subjects, with 82% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 80% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics. These strong outcomes reflect the school's academic score of 9.2 out of 10. Highland Mill Montessori draws families from a diverse community where 45% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income is $68,418.
The neighborhood shows a mix of economic backgrounds, with a 17.6% poverty rate and median home values around $375,200. Located on Clemson Avenue in Charlotte's urban landscape, the school serves as an educational anchor in this large city community of over 51,000 residents.
Score Breakdown
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Highland Mill Montessori — Students at Highland Mill Montessori score 81% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
25.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 14 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: 7.7/10.
How Highland Mill Montessori Compares
See how Highland Mill Montessori performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 80.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 81.7% (2025).
Location
3201 Clemson Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland Mill Montessori may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Elizabeth Traditional Elem (rated 8.7/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Druid Hills Academy (rated 8.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Villa Heights Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Charlotte, see our Charlotte schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Villa Heights Elementary Charlotte | 0.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Highland Renaissance Academy Charlotte | 0.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Sugar Creek Charter Charlotte | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences Charlotte | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Military and Global Leadership Charlotte | 1.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Shamrock Gardens Elementary Charlotte | 1.1 mi | 8.3 |
| VERITAS Community School CFA Charlotte | 1.2 mi | 1.5 |
| Garinger High School Charlotte | 1.2 mi | 3.1 |
| TEACHING ACHIEVING STUDENTS ACADEMY Charlotte | 1.4 mi | — |
| CHARLOTTE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Charlotte | 1.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Druid Hills Academy Charlotte | 1.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Piedmont Middle School Charlotte | 1.8 mi | 5.3 |
| First Ward Creative Arts Academy Charlotte | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| TRINITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Charlotte | 1.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Hidden Valley Elementary Charlotte | 2.1 mi | 3.2 |
| Martin Luther King Jr Middle Charlotte | 2.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Merry Oaks International Academy Charlotte | 2.1 mi | 4.5 |
| THE NEST ACADEMY Charlotte | 2.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Elizabeth Traditional Elem Charlotte | 2.3 mi | 8.7 |
| Chantilly Montessori Charlotte | 2.5 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28205 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,479
Median Home Value
$410,800
Median Rent
$1,376/mo
Population
51,297
College Educated
46.5%
Homeownership
41.8%
Avg Commute
25.2 min
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Median Age
34
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highland Mill Montessori has a median household income of $72,479. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $410,800, with a median rent of $1,376/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.4%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Anderson Creek Academy Spring Lake, NC | 8.1 |
| Beverly Hills Elementary Concord, NC | 8.1 |
| Bolton Elementary Winston-Salem, NC | 8.1 |
| Catawba Elementary School Catawba, NC | 8.1 |
| Cook Literacy Model School Winston-Salem, NC | 8.1 |
| Down East Middle and Smyrna Elementary Smyrna, NC | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland Mill Montessori
What grades does Highland Mill Montessori serve?
Highland Mill Montessori serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Highland Mill Montessori?
Highland Mill Montessori has an enrollment of approximately 331 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Mill Montessori?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Mill Montessori is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highland Mill Montessori rank in NC?
Highland Mill Montessori is ranked #410 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Highland Mill Montessori's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Mill Montessori has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Highland Mill Montessori?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Mill Montessori has 77.7% math proficiency and 78.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Highland Mill Montessori a charter school?
No, Highland Mill Montessori is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highland Mill Montessori a Title I school?
No, Highland Mill Montessori is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Mill Montessori?
25.1% of students at Highland Mill Montessori 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
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 331
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 25.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Mecklenburg County
- Phone
- (980) 343-5525
- 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
- #27 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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