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Very Good

#740 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 28% in state

Mountain Island Charter School

School · Mountain Island Charter

13440 Lucia Riverbend Highway, Mt. Holly, NC 28120

Charter

Enrollment

1,746

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#740 of 2,648

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Mountain Island Charter School

7.4/10

School in Mt. Holly · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pinewood Elementary

7.6/10

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

River Oaks Academy

2.8/10

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

About Mountain Island Charter School

Mountain Island Charter School is a public school in Mt. Holly, NC, part of Mountain Island Charter. Mountain Island Charter School serves approximately 1,746 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio.

Mountain Island Charter School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #740 of 2,648 schools in NC. Structured state assessment records for Mountain Island Charter School show 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).

How it compares1.2 pts above NC schools
  • This school 7.4 · Very Good
  • NC avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Mountain Island Charter School is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Mountain Island Charter School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.4 pts/yr
Data Period2010–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.6Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77.9% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.5% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+21.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+17.9 pts
Overall Proficiency75% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)69% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College Readiness7.4Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%+
AP Participation7.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,105
Chronic Absenteeism16.9%

Mountain Island Charter School — Students at Mountain Island Charter School score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

26.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 69.7% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
School
State
56.8% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 68.8% (multi-year average, 2010-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 40 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2010
Math
88%
ELA
86%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
86%
2012
Math
58%
ELA
63%
2013
Math
60%
ELA
61%
2014
Math
56%
ELA
60%
2015
Math
61%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
59%
ELA
63%
2017
Math
54%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
66%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
66%
2020*
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
74.9%
ELA
68.4%
2025
Math
77.8%
ELA
71.4%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How Mountain Island Charter School Compares

See how Mountain Island Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
72th percentile in NC
Academic
8.6/10
Excellent
Growth
8.9/10
Excellent
Environment
4.1/10
Below Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 3
Sports
21
12 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
27%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
96 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
7.2% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics21sports offered
12 boys'·9 girls'·25 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

13440 Lucia Riverbend Highway, Mt. Holly, NC 28120

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mountain Island Charter School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Paw Creek Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Charlotte), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Catawba Springs Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Denver), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Ida Rankin Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Mount Holly), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Mt. Holly, see our Mt. Holly schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Pinewood Elementary Mount Holly 2.2 mi 7.6
River Oaks Academy Charlotte 3.6 mi 2.8
Ida Rankin Elementary School Mount Holly 4.6 mi 7.9
Coulwood STEM Academy Charlotte 4.6 mi 7.7
Mount Holly Middle Mount Holly 4.7 mi 6.6
Francis Bradley Middle Huntersville 4.4 mi 5.7
Barnette Elementary Huntersville 4.6 mi 6.7
Whitewater Academy Charlotte 5.2 mi 6.3
Whitewater Middle Charlotte 5.2 mi 6.4
Mountain Island Lake Academy Charlotte 4.9 mi 2.6
Hopewell High School Huntersville 4.6 mi 6.3
Paw Creek Elementary Charlotte 5.3 mi 8.2
THE HALTON SCHOOL Huntersville 4.7 mi
SOUTHLAKE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Huntersville 5.7 mi 7.4
Turning Point Academy Charlotte 6.3 mi 4.9
East Gaston High Mount Holly 5.8 mi 4.3
Catawba Heights Elementary Belmont 6.5 mi 7.6
Long Creek Elementary Huntersville 5.6 mi 3.8
Catawba Springs Elementary Denver 6.9 mi 8.1
East Lincoln High Denver 6.9 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28120 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,809

Median Home Value

$272,500

Median Rent

$1,179/mo

Population

24,363

College Educated

33.2%

Homeownership

72%

Avg Commute

27.6 min

Poverty Rate

9.9%

Median Age

40.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bradford Preparatory School Charlotte, NC 7.4
DURHAM ACADEMY Durham, NC 7.3
Falls Lake Academy Creedmoor, NC 7.3
Henderson Collegiate Henderson, NC 7.7
Lake Norman Charter Huntersville, NC 7.7
Community School of Davidson Davidson, NC 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mountain Island Charter School

What grades does Mountain Island Charter School serve?

Mountain Island Charter School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Mountain Island Charter School?

Mountain Island Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 1,746 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mountain Island Charter School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mountain Island Charter School is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mountain Island Charter School rank in NC?

Mountain Island Charter School ranks #740 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Mountain Island Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mountain Island Charter School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Mountain Island Charter School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mountain Island Charter School has 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).

Is Mountain Island Charter School a charter school?

Yes, Mountain Island Charter School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Mountain Island Charter School a Title I school?

No, Mountain Island Charter School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mountain Island Charter School?

26.9% of students at Mountain Island Charter 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
11 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
1,746
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
96
Free/Reduced Lunch
26.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Gaston County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.9%
4-Year Graduation
95%+

District

Mountain Island Charter
District Enrollment
1,746
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,105
District Rank
#1 of 1

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