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Below Average

#2307 of 2,648 schools in NC

Highland Renaissance Academy

Elementary School · Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

125 W Craighead Rd, Charlotte, NC 28206

Enrollment

403

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,307 of 2,648

In Charlotte

#135 of 174

public schools

In district

#143 of 179

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

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Highland Renaissance Academy

4.2/10

Elementary School in Charlotte · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Sugar Creek Charter

4.8/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Highland Mill Montessori

9.2/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Highland Renaissance Academy

Highland Renaissance Academy is a public elementary school in Charlotte, NC, part of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Highland Renaissance Academy serves approximately 403 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland Renaissance Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,307 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Highland Renaissance Academy show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts below district
  • This school 4.2 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

34% of students at Highland Renaissance 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 metrics
Student Progress3.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.23 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51.6% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency31.1% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-12.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.5 pts
Overall Proficiency41% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,198
Chronic Absenteeism34%

Highland Renaissance Academy — Students at Highland Renaissance Academy score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 43.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 30.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
71%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
68%
ELA
50%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
54%
2012
Math
41%
ELA
26%
2013
Math
50%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
51%
ELA
33%
2015
Math
46%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
24%
2017
Math
45%
ELA
24%
2018
Math
25%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
26%
ELA
27%
2025
Math
51.8%
ELA
30.9%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Highland Renaissance Academy Compares

See how Highland Renaissance Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
13th percentile in NC
Academic
4.8/10
Below Average
Growth
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.3/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

125 W Craighead Rd, Charlotte, NC 28206

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland Renaissance Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lincoln Heights Montessori (rated 9.6/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Highland Mill Montessori (rated 9.2/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Shamrock Gardens Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Charlotte, see our Charlotte schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Sugar Creek Charter Charlotte 0.4 mi 4.8
Highland Mill Montessori Charlotte 0.9 mi 9.2
VERITAS Community School CFA Charlotte 1.1 mi 1.4
CHARLOTTE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Charlotte 1.2 mi 4.2
TEACHING ACHIEVING STUDENTS ACADEMY Charlotte 1.2 mi
Villa Heights Elementary Charlotte 1.4 mi 8.5
Druid Hills Academy Charlotte 1.2 mi 6.2
Hidden Valley Elementary Charlotte 1.4 mi 2.7
Garinger High School Charlotte 1.5 mi 4.3
Martin Luther King Jr Middle Charlotte 1.5 mi 3.3
Shamrock Gardens Elementary Charlotte 1.7 mi 9.0
Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences Charlotte 2.0 mi 7.5
Military and Global Leadership Charlotte 2.0 mi 4.4
NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Charlotte 2.3 mi 7.1
KIPP Charlotte Charlotte 2.1 mi 2.5
Briarwood Academy Charlotte 2.1 mi 6.4
Piedmont Middle School Charlotte 2.5 mi 6.9
First Ward Creative Arts Academy Charlotte 2.5 mi 6.7
Lincoln Heights Montessori Charlotte 2.2 mi 9.6
Williams Secondary Montessori Charlotte 2.3 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28206 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,456

Median Home Value

$239,700

Median Rent

$1,225/mo

Population

14,726

College Educated

32.2%

Homeownership

32.9%

Avg Commute

22.3 min

Poverty Rate

23.5%

Median Age

32.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Arthur W Edwards Elementary Havelock, NC 4.2
Baileywick Road Elementary Raleigh, NC 4.2
Benjamin J Martin Elementary Fayetteville, NC 4.2
Oakley Elementary Asheville, NC 4.2
Pickett Elementary School Lexington, NC 4.2
Shiloh Valley Elementary Monroe, NC 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highland Renaissance Academy

What grades does Highland Renaissance Academy serve?

Highland Renaissance Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Highland Renaissance Academy?

Highland Renaissance Academy has an enrollment of approximately 403 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Renaissance Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Highland Renaissance Academy is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highland Renaissance Academy rank in NC?

Highland Renaissance Academy ranks #2,307 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Highland Renaissance Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Renaissance Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 Highland Renaissance Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Renaissance Academy has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Highland Renaissance Academy a charter school?

No, Highland Renaissance Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Highland Renaissance Academy a Title I school?

No, Highland Renaissance Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Renaissance Academy?

99.3% of students at Highland Renaissance 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
45 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
51 Good Transit
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
403
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Mecklenburg County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.0%

District

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

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