Below Average
#2187 of 2,648 schools in NC
South Mecklenburg High School
High School · Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
8900 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210
Enrollment
3,244
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
3,244
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Charlotte
#136 of 173
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#372 of 579
In district
#146 of 179
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
About South Mecklenburg High School
South Mecklenburg High School serves 3,244 students in grades 9-12 in Charlotte's affluent south side community. With 180 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18:1 student-teacher ratio, providing reasonably sized learning environments for this large comprehensive high school. Academically, South Mecklenburg ranks in the middle tier of North Carolina high schools, placing 1,223rd out of 2,661 statewide and earning a MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10.
The school shows stronger performance in English Language Arts, where 61% of students score proficient or above, while mathematics presents an area with room for growth, with 42% achieving proficiency. These results reflect a school working to serve its diverse student body across all academic levels. The school draws from an educated and economically stable community in the 28210 ZIP code, where 61% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $90,050.
The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 7.7% and median home values of $442,100 reflect the area's desirability. Located on Park Road in Charlotte's large city setting, South Mecklenburg High School serves as an educational anchor in one of the city's most established and prosperous residential areas.
What's said publicly about South Mecklenburg High School
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
South Mecklenburg High School is a large school with 3,244 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
Score Breakdown
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South Mecklenburg High School — Students at South Mecklenburg High School score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.2/10.
How South Mecklenburg High School Compares
See how South Mecklenburg High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 66% (2019) to 20.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 58% (2019) to 61.3% (2025).
Location
8900 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Mecklenburg High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. FUSION ACADEMY AND LEARNING CENTER - CHARLOTTE (rated 6.8/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Harper Middle College High (rated 6.3/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.5/10, 1.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Charlotte, see our Charlotte schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Quail Hollow Middle Charlotte | 0.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Smithfield Elementary Charlotte | 0.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Huntingtowne Farms Elementary Charlotte | 1.6 mi | 4.0 |
| CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Charlotte | 1.6 mi | 4.5 |
| MANUS ACADEMY Charlotte | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Sterling Elementary Pineville | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Beverly Woods Elementary Charlotte | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Starmount Academy of Excellence Charlotte | 2.2 mi | 4.5 |
| CEDARWOOD ACADEMY Charlotte | 2.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Pineville Elementary Pineville | 2.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Harper Middle College High Charlotte | 2.5 mi | 6.3 |
| McAlpine Elementary Charlotte | 2.6 mi | 7.9 |
| SOUTH CHARLOTTE BAPTIST ACADEMY Pineville | 2.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Montclaire Elementary Charlotte | 3.0 mi | 8.0 |
| FUSION ACADEMY AND LEARNING CENTER - CHARLOTTE Charlotte | 3.1 mi | 6.8 |
| BRTISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF CHARLOTTE Charlotte | 3.1 mi | 8.4 |
| South Academy of International Languages Charlotte | 2.9 mi | 7.2 |
| FUSION CHARLOTTE Charlotte | 3.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Endhaven Elementary Charlotte | 3.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Collinswood Language Academy Charlotte | 3.6 mi | 8.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28210 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$94,145
Median Home Value
$486,000
Median Rent
$1,444/mo
Population
47,537
College Educated
59.5%
Homeownership
55.2%
Avg Commute
23.4 min
Poverty Rate
8.8%
Median Age
35.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Mecklenburg High School has a median household income of $94,145. It is a well-educated community where 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $486,000, with a median rent of $1,444/month. The local poverty rate of 8.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Lumberton Senior High Lumberton, NC | 4.9 |
| Myers Park High School Charlotte, NC | 5.0 |
| Lake Norman High Mooresville, NC | 5.3 |
| Needham Broughton High Raleigh, NC | 5.3 |
| Wakefield High Raleigh, NC | 5.3 |
| Independence High School Charlotte, NC | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Mecklenburg High School
What grades does South Mecklenburg High School serve?
South Mecklenburg High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend South Mecklenburg High School?
South Mecklenburg High School has an enrollment of approximately 3,244 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Mecklenburg High School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Mecklenburg High School is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Mecklenburg High School rank in NC?
South Mecklenburg High School is ranked #2187 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is South Mecklenburg High School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Mecklenburg High School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 South Mecklenburg High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Mecklenburg High School has 52.6% math proficiency and 61.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Mecklenburg High School a charter school?
No, South Mecklenburg High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Mecklenburg High School a Title I school?
No, South Mecklenburg High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Mecklenburg High School?
50.6% of students at South Mecklenburg High 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
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FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 3,244
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 180
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Mecklenburg County
- Phone
- (980) 343-3600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools- District Enrollment
- 144,116
- Schools in District
- 184
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,198
- District Rank
- #146 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 methodologyRelated reading
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