Average
#1815 of 2,648 schools in NC
Mountain Island Charter School
School · Mountain Island Charter
13440 Lucia Riverbend Highway, Mt. Holly, NC 28120
Enrollment
1,746
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
1,746
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#67 of 120
Academic performance
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Mountain Island Charter School
Mountain Island Charter School serves 1,746 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in Mt. Holly, offering families a comprehensive K-12 education option in Gaston County. With 96 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for reasonably personalized attention across all grade levels.
Academically, Mountain Island Charter demonstrates solid performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #607 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools, placing it in the 77th percentile statewide. Students show particularly strong results in both core subjects, with 74% achieving proficiency or above in math and 71% meeting proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading. These scores reflect the school's academic score of 8.8 out of 10.
The school draws from a stable community where the median household income reaches $71,996 and median home values average $237,300. With 32% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a relatively low poverty rate of 9.4%, the surrounding area provides a supportive educational environment. Mountain Island Charter School is situated in a rural setting near Mt.
Holly on Lucia Riverbend Highway, offering students the benefits of a close-knit school community while maintaining access to the broader resources of the Charlotte metropolitan region.
What Parents Should Know
Mountain Island Charter School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Located in a rural area, Mountain Island Charter School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Mountain Island Charter School — Students at Mountain Island Charter School score 65% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
26.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 18 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: 7.0/10.
How Mountain Island Charter School Compares
See how Mountain Island Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 57% (2019) to 58.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 66% (2019) to 72.3% (2025).
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 8.9/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Charlotte), which scores notably higher. Another option is Coulwood STEM Academy (rated 8.5/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Charlotte), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Catawba Heights Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Belmont), which scores notably 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 | 7.8 |
| River Oaks Academy Charlotte | 3.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Ida Rankin Elementary School Mount Holly | 4.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Coulwood STEM Academy Charlotte | 4.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Mount Holly Middle Mount Holly | 4.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Francis Bradley Middle Huntersville | 4.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Barnette Elementary Huntersville | 4.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Whitewater Academy Charlotte | 5.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Whitewater Middle Charlotte | 5.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Mountain Island Lake Academy Charlotte | 4.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Hopewell High School Huntersville | 4.6 mi | 3.7 |
| Paw Creek Elementary Charlotte | 5.3 mi | 8.9 |
| THE HALTON SCHOOL Huntersville | 4.7 mi | — |
| SOUTHLAKE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Huntersville | 5.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Turning Point Academy Charlotte | 6.3 mi | 5.5 |
| East Gaston High Mount Holly | 5.8 mi | 3.7 |
| Catawba Heights Elementary Belmont | 6.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Long Creek Elementary Huntersville | 5.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Catawba Springs Elementary Denver | 6.9 mi | 7.1 |
| East Lincoln High Denver | 6.9 mi | 6.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mountain Island Charter School has a median household income of $74,809. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $272,500, with a median rent of $1,179/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Cornerstone Charter Academy-CFA Greensboro, NC | 5.6 |
| Bradford Preparatory School Charlotte, NC | 5.5 |
| CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Charlotte, NC | 5.5 |
| Community School of Davidson Davidson, NC | 5.5 |
| CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Charlotte, NC | 5.8 |
| Corvian Community School Charlotte, NC | 5.8 |
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 is ranked #1815 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Mountain Island Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?
Mountain Island Charter School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Mountain Island Charter School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mountain Island Charter School has 72.2% math proficiency and 70.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (704) 827-8840
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mountain Island Charter- District Enrollment
- 1,746
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,105
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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