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Below Average

#2314 of 2,648 schools in NC

Independence High School

High School · Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

1967 Patriot Dr, Charlotte, NC 28227

Enrollment

2,020

Student-Teacher

17.1:1

Score

4.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Charlotte

#142 of 173

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#417 of 579

In district

#150 of 179

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

About Independence High School

Independence High School serves 2,020 students in grades 9-12 on Patriot Drive in Charlotte's suburban landscape. With 118 full-time teachers, the school maintains a manageable 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for reasonable class sizes within this large high school environment. The school ranks in the 56th percentile among North Carolina high schools, positioning it in the middle tier of the state's academic landscape.

Student performance shows 52% proficiency in English Language Arts and 47% proficiency in mathematics, indicating areas with room for academic growth as the school works to support its diverse student body. Independence High School draws from the 28227 zip code area, where families enjoy a median household income of $72,119 and median home values around $276,100. The community reflects a mix of educational backgrounds, with 30% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 11.7%.

As a traditional public high school in Mecklenburg County, Independence serves a substantial student population in one of Charlotte's established suburban neighborhoods. The school's setting in this large suburban area provides students with access to both community resources and the broader opportunities that come with Charlotte's metropolitan environment.

What Parents Should Know

Independence High School is a large school with 2,020 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.4Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.14 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.0Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency51.5%
Math vs. State Avg-26.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.1 pts
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-4.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile32th
College Readiness6.0Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation14.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,853

Independence High School — Students at Independence High School score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 47.6%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 49.5%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
48%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
65%
ELA
54%
2025
Math
29.9%
ELA
51.5%

* 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: 2.4/10.

How Independence High School Compares

See how Independence High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
13th percentile in NC
Academic
5.0/10
5.0/10
Growth
2.4/10
Below average
Environment
4.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
118 teachers

Location

1967 Patriot Dr, Charlotte, NC 28227

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Independence High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Charlotte East Language Academy (rated 9.3/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CHARLOTTE ISLAMIC ACADEMY (rated 8.8/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CHRIST CLASSICAL ACADEMY OF CHARLOTTE (rated 8.8/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Charlotte, see our Charlotte schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Northeast Middle Mint Hill 0.3 mi 4.4
FAITH BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Charlotte 0.4 mi
Lebanon Road Elementary Charlotte 0.9 mi 7.2
J. H. Gunn Elementary Charlotte 1.3 mi 7.5
CHARLOTTE ISLAMIC ACADEMY Charlotte 2.0 mi 8.8
Queen's Grant Community School Mint Hill 2.6 mi 3.3
American Leadership Academy Charlotte Charlotte 2.8 mi 4.7
Albemarle Road Middle Charlotte 2.4 mi 4.4
Hickory Grove Elementary Charlotte 2.6 mi 4.8
Albemarle Road Elementary Charlotte 2.4 mi 6.2
Bain Elementary Mint Hill 2.7 mi 7.0
Mint Hill Middle Matthews 3.1 mi 6.3
Crown Point Elementary Matthews 3.0 mi 6.3
Mint Hill Elementary School Matthews 3.3 mi 6.0
Piney Grove Elementary Charlotte 3.0 mi 8.4
Rocky River High School Mint Hill 2.9 mi 3.8
CHRIST CLASSICAL ACADEMY OF CHARLOTTE Charlotte 3.6 mi 8.8
MATTHEWS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Matthews 3.5 mi 7.4
Idlewild Elementary Charlotte 3.3 mi 6.9
Charlotte East Language Academy Charlotte 3.5 mi 9.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28227 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,322

Median Home Value

$313,900

Median Rent

$1,412/mo

Population

60,162

College Educated

29.9%

Homeownership

69%

Avg Commute

28.6 min

Poverty Rate

11.4%

Median Age

38.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Independence High School has a median household income of $75,322. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $313,900, with a median rent of $1,412/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.4%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Davie County High Mocksville, NC 4.5
Emsley A Laney High Wilmington, NC 4.4
Franklinton High Franklinton, NC 4.6
Kings Mountain High Kings Mountain, NC 4.4
Mallard Creek High School Charlotte, NC 4.4
North Brunswick High Leland, NC 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Independence High School

What grades does Independence High School serve?

Independence High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Independence High School?

Independence High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,020 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Independence High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Independence High School is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Independence High School rank in NC?

Independence High School is ranked #2314 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Independence High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Independence High School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Independence High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Independence High School has 47.6% math proficiency and 49.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Independence High School a charter school?

No, Independence High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Independence High School a Title I school?

No, Independence High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Independence High School?

99.9% of students at Independence High 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
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,020
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
118
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Mecklenburg County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
District Enrollment
144,116
Schools in District
184
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,198
District Rank
#150 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 methodology

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