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Excellent

#71 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 3% in state

Polo Ridge Elementary

Elementary School · Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

11830 Tom Short Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277

Enrollment

588

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

9.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#71 of 2,648

In Charlotte

#8 of 174

public schools

In district

#10 of 179

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Academic performance

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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Polo Ridge Elementary

9.0/10

Elementary School in Charlotte · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Rea Farms Steam Academy

9.2/10

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

Jay M. Robinson Middle

8.0/10

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

About Polo Ridge Elementary

Polo Ridge Elementary is a public elementary school in Charlotte, NC, part of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Polo Ridge Elementary serves approximately 588 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Polo Ridge Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #71 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Polo Ridge Elementary show 89% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 83% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.7 pts above district
  • This school 9.0 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.3
  • NC avg 6.4

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.4 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency93.8% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency87.5% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+30 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+40.9 pts
Overall Proficiency91% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)72% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+18.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,198
Chronic Absenteeism13.4%

Polo Ridge Elementary — Students at Polo Ridge Elementary score 91% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

16.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 88.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 82.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 34 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
96%
ELA
95%
2011
Math
99.5%
ELA
96%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
76%
2013
Math
86%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
90%
ELA
80%
2015
Math
89%
ELA
78%
2016
Math
89%
ELA
78%
2017
Math
87%
ELA
79%
2018
Math
80%
ELA
75%
2019
Math
80%
ELA
75%
2020*
Math
83%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
83%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
88.6%
ELA
80.3%
2025
Math
93.8%
ELA
87.6%

* 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 Polo Ridge Elementary Compares

See how Polo Ridge Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.0/10
97th percentile in NC
Academic
9.6/10
Excellent
Growth
8.9/10
Excellent
Environment
8.2/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
17%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.4%

Programs & Offerings

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

11830 Tom Short Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Polo Ridge Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rea Farms STEAM Academy (rated 9.2/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Providence Spring Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 2.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, McKee Road Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 2.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Charlotte, see our Charlotte schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Rea Farms STEAM Academy Charlotte 1.0 mi 9.2
Jay M. Robinson Middle Charlotte 1.3 mi 8.0
OMNI MONTESSORI SCHOOL Charlotte 1.2 mi 7.1
ST MATTHEW CATHOLIC SCHOOL Charlotte 1.2 mi 4.8
KIDDIE ACADEMY OF CHARLOTTE-BLAKENEY Charlotte 1.4 mi
KIDS R KIDS ACADEMY AT BLAKENEY Charlotte 1.5 mi
Hawk Ridge Elementary Charlotte 1.7 mi 8.1
Community House Middle Charlotte 1.8 mi 7.9
Ardrey Kell High School Charlotte 2.1 mi 8.0
Providence Spring Elementary Charlotte 2.3 mi 8.7
Rea View Elementary Waxhaw 2.4 mi 8.6
CHARLOTTE LATIN SCHOOL Charlotte 2.5 mi 5.1
WEDDINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Weddington 2.5 mi
South Charlotte Middle Charlotte 3.0 mi 6.8
Endhaven Elementary Charlotte 2.7 mi 6.3
McKee Road Elementary Charlotte 2.7 mi 8.7
Telra Institute Charlotte 2.8 mi 8.2
BRTISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF CHARLOTTE Charlotte 2.8 mi 8.4
McAlpine Elementary Charlotte 3.0 mi 7.9
UNITED FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Charlotte 3.2 mi 9.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28277 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$122,223

Median Home Value

$507,600

Median Rent

$1,814/mo

Population

72,375

College Educated

67%

Homeownership

60.8%

Avg Commute

27.4 min

Poverty Rate

4.3%

Median Age

39.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Charlotte East Language Academy Charlotte, NC 9.0
Chatham Grove Elementary Pittsboro, NC 9.0
Grandy Primary Camden, NC 9.0
Green Hope Elementary Cary, NC 9.0
Highcroft Elementary Cary, NC 9.0
McDeeds Creek Elementary Southern Pines, NC 9.0

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
23 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
588
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
16.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Mecklenburg County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.4%

District

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
District Enrollment
144,116
Schools in District
184
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,198
District Rank
#10 of 179

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