Excellent
#71 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 3% in state
Polo Ridge Elementary
Elementary School · Charlotte-mecklenburg Schools · Charlotte, NC
A Charlotte-mecklenburg Schools elementary school where students score 19 points above what's typical for similar communities.
11830 Tom Short Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
- Math 94% vs NC 59% (2025)
- Reading 88% vs NC 53% (2025)
- 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Polo Ridge Elementary score 91% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).
2025 NC proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. NC average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 17-year record (2009–2025), then recovered 8 points since 2020, reaching 91% in 2025.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 89% (multi-year average, 2009-2025) · reading/ELA 83% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 34 test records from NC state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
16.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Polo Ridge Elementary sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Charlotte map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 23Car-Dependent
- Transit 0Minimal Transit
- Bike 35Somewhat Bikeable
Powered by
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$122,223
Median home value
$507,600
Median rent
$1,814/mo
College educated
67%
Homeownership
60.8%
Poverty rate
4.3%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 28277; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rea Farms Steam AcademyEnrollment path unverified | 9.2 | K–8 | 1.0 mi | 1,105 | Compare → |
| Omni Montessori SchoolPrivate · tuition | 7.1private | PK–9 | 1.2 mi | 135 | Compare → |
| St Matthew Catholic SchoolPrivate · tuition | 4.8private | K–5 | 1.2 mi | 660 | Compare → |
| Kids R Kids Academy at BlakeneyPrivate · tuition | Not rated | K | 1.5 mi | 13 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Charlotte-mecklenburg Schools
- Schools in district
- 184
- Rank in district
- #10 of 179
- District spending per student
- $12,198NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 13.9%Census SAIPE · 2024
Polo Ridge Elementary is listed in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Polo Ridge Elementary
Polo Ridge Elementary is a public elementary school in Charlotte, NC, part of Charlotte-mecklenburg Schools, serving approximately 588 students in grades Kindergarten-5th with a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #71 of 2,648 schools in NC. State assessment records show 89% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Polo Ridge Elementary
What grades does Polo Ridge Elementary serve?
Polo Ridge Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Polo Ridge Elementary?
Polo Ridge Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 588 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Polo Ridge Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Polo Ridge Elementary 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 Polo Ridge Elementary rank in NC?
Polo Ridge Elementary ranks #71 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Polo Ridge Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Polo Ridge Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 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 Polo Ridge Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Polo Ridge Elementary has 89% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Polo Ridge Elementary a charter school?
No, Polo Ridge Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Polo Ridge Elementary a Title I school?
No, Polo Ridge Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Polo Ridge Elementary?
16.8% of students at Polo Ridge Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 588
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Mecklenburg County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 13.4%
- Phone
- (980) 343-0749
- Area population (ZIP 28277)
- 72,375
- Area average commute
- 27.4 min
- Area median age
- 39.8
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2025 NC · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 28277; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2025; directory SY 2023–24
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