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Average

#1192 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 45% in state

Northwest School of the Arts

High School · Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

1415 Beatties Ford Rd, Charlotte, NC 28216

Enrollment

1,008

Student-Teacher

16.8:1

Score

6.7

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Charlotte

#74 of 173

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#102 of 579

In district

#86 of 179

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Academic performance

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Northwest School of the Arts

Northwest School of the Arts serves 1,008 students in grades 6-12 in Charlotte, North Carolina, offering a unique educational experience that combines rigorous academics with artistic development. This regular public school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.8:1 with 60 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive focused attention in both their academic and creative pursuits. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.4 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 78th percentile statewide at #592 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools.

Students achieve impressive results with 75% scoring proficient or above in both English Language Arts and mathematics, reflecting the school's commitment to maintaining high academic standards alongside its arts focus. Located at 1415 Beatties Ford Road in the 28216 ZIP code, the school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $58,579 and median home values average $220,600. The surrounding neighborhood shows economic stability with an 11.8% poverty rate, and 36% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

Northwest School of the Arts provides students with a distinctive educational path in Charlotte's vibrant urban setting, combining academic excellence with creative expression in North Carolina's largest city.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.4Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.58 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.2Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency69%
Reading/ELA Proficiency83.2%
Math vs. State Avg+13 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+29.6 pts
Overall Proficiency76%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected+14.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
College Readiness6.2Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation15.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,853

Northwest School of the Arts — Students at Northwest School of the Arts score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 68.0%
School
State
53.9%
ELA Proficiency 72.6%
School
State
53.0%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
66%
ELA
64%
2021*
Math
54%
ELA
70%
2025
Math
72.1%
ELA
75.4%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Northwest School of the Arts Compares

See how Northwest School of the Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
55th percentile in NC
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
60 teachers

Location

1415 Beatties Ford Rd, Charlotte, NC 28216

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northwest School of the Arts may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Williams Secondary Montessori (rated 7.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Charlotte High School (rated 6.7/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology (rated 6.1/10, 2.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Charlotte, see our Charlotte schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
University Park Creative Arts Charlotte 0.3 mi 8.7
West Charlotte High School Charlotte 0.6 mi 6.7
Oaklawn Language Academy Charlotte 0.5 mi 9.2
Lincoln Heights Montessori Charlotte 0.8 mi 9.2
VICTORY CHRISTIAN CENTER SCHOOL Charlotte 1.1 mi 6.2
Williams Secondary Montessori Charlotte 1.1 mi 7.9
Bruns Avenue Elementary Charlotte 1.3 mi 6.0
Walter G. Byers School Charlotte 1.3 mi 5.8
Irwin Academic Center Charlotte 1.4 mi 5.5
FRIENDSHIP DAY SCHOOL FOR THE SCIENCES & THE ARTS Charlotte 1.6 mi 4.5
BEREAN JR ACADEMY Charlotte 2.0 mi 3.5
Druid Hills Academy Charlotte 1.8 mi 8.6
TEACHING ACHIEVING STUDENTS ACADEMY Charlotte 1.9 mi
CHARLOTTE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Charlotte 1.9 mi 4.2
Charlotte Lab School Charlotte 2.3 mi 3.3
VERITAS Community School CFA Charlotte 2.0 mi 1.5
Movement Charter School Charlotte 2.2 mi 6.4
Stewart Creek High Charlotte 2.2 mi 5.6
First Ward Creative Arts Academy Charlotte 2.4 mi 6.8
Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology Charlotte 2.3 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28216 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,977

Median Home Value

$246,100

Median Rent

$1,464/mo

Population

54,052

College Educated

34.7%

Homeownership

50.9%

Avg Commute

24.4 min

Poverty Rate

11.4%

Median Age

35.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Northwest School of the Arts has a median household income of $64,977. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $246,100, with a median rent of $1,464/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.4%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Pisgah High Canton, NC 6.7
Central Academy of Technology and Arts Monroe, NC 6.8
Nash Central High Rocky Mount, NC 6.8
Princeton High Princeton, NC 6.8
Wilkes Central High School Wilkesboro, NC 6.8
Atkins Academic & Tech High Winston-Salem, NC 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northwest School of the Arts

What grades does Northwest School of the Arts serve?

Northwest School of the Arts serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Northwest School of the Arts?

Northwest School of the Arts has an enrollment of approximately 1,008 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northwest School of the Arts?

The student-teacher ratio at Northwest School of the Arts is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northwest School of the Arts rank in NC?

Northwest School of the Arts is ranked #1192 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Northwest School of the Arts's MySchoolScout rating?

Northwest School of the Arts has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Northwest School of the Arts?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northwest School of the Arts has 68.0% math proficiency and 72.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Northwest School of the Arts a charter school?

No, Northwest School of the Arts is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Northwest School of the Arts a Title I school?

No, Northwest School of the Arts is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northwest School of the Arts?

40.9% of students at Northwest School of the Arts 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
57 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
44 Some Transit
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
1,008
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
60
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
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
#86 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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