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Excellent

#309 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 12% in state

Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy

Elementary School · Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy

5203 Shopton Road West, Charlotte, NC 28278

Charter

Enrollment

836

Student-Teacher

17.1:1

Score

8.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#309 of 2,648

In Charlotte

#22 of 174

public schools

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy

8.2/10

Elementary School in Charlotte · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Berewick Elementary

5.4/10

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

Steele Creek Elementary

5.7/10

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

About Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy

Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy is a public elementary school in Charlotte, NC, part of Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy. Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy serves approximately 836 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #309 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025).

How it compares1.8 pts above NC schools
  • This school 8.2 · Excellent
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+4.04 pts/yr
Data Period2020–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.4Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53.8% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.8% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-10 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.2 pts
Overall Proficiency55% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected+8.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,463
Chronic Absenteeism16.7%

Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy — Students at Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 46.7% (multi-year average, 2020-2025)
School
State
56.8% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 53.9% (multi-year average, 2020-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 20 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2020*
Math
28%
ELA
46%
2021*
Math
28%
ELA
46%
2022
Math
35.2%
ELA
48.1%
2025
Math
53.6%
ELA
57%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy Compares

See how Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.2/10
88th percentile in NC
Academic
7.4/10
Very Good
Growth
9.9/10
Excellent
Environment
5.1/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
16.7%

Location

5203 Shopton Road West, Charlotte, NC 28278

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Renaissance West STEAM Academy (rated 8.2/10, 3.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is South Academy of International Languages (rated 8.1/10, 4.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Niner University Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 4.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Charlotte, see our Charlotte schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Berewick Elementary Charlotte 0.7 mi 5.4
Steele Creek Elementary Charlotte 1.2 mi 5.7
Olympic High School Charlotte 1.2 mi 6.7
Kennedy Middle Charlotte 1.4 mi 6.3
Steele Creek Preparatory Academy Charlotte 2.3 mi 6.2
South Pine Academy Charlotte 2.7 mi 4.1
Berryhill School Charlotte 3.2 mi 4.5
Winget Park Elementary Charlotte 3.4 mi 6.8
Lake Wylie Elementary Charlotte 3.9 mi 6.1
Renaissance West STEAM Academy Charlotte 3.6 mi 8.2
THE JOHN CROSLAND SCHOOL Charlotte 3.5 mi 7.6
Nations Ford Elementary Charlotte 3.6 mi 4.4
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Virtual School Charlotte 3.9 mi 5.8
Southwest Middle School Charlotte 4.7 mi 3.3
Reid Park Academy Charlotte 4.1 mi 5.4
Niner University Elementary Charlotte 4.2 mi 7.8
East Voyager Academy of Charlotte Charlotte 5.1 mi 6.3
Movement School Southwest Charlotte 4.2 mi 3.8
West Mecklenburg High School Charlotte 5.3 mi 4.1
South Academy of International Languages Charlotte 4.5 mi 8.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28278 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$121,366

Median Home Value

$413,400

Median Rent

$1,736/mo

Population

36,438

College Educated

56.6%

Homeownership

76%

Avg Commute

27.5 min

Poverty Rate

3.8%

Median Age

36.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Boiling Springs Elementary Shelby, NC 8.2
Combs Elementary Raleigh, NC 8.2
FPG Elementary Chapel Hill, NC 8.2
Heritage Elementary School Richlands, NC 8.2
Landis Elementary Landis, NC 8.2
Parkway Elementary Boone, NC 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy

What grades does Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy serve?

Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy?

Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy has an enrollment of approximately 836 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy rank in NC?

Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy ranks #309 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 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 Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025).

Is Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy a charter school?

Yes, Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy a Title I school?

No, Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy?

98.7% of students at Southwest Charlotte Stem Academy 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
44 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
836
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Mecklenburg County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
16.7%

District

Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy
District Enrollment
836
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,463
District Rank
#1 of 1

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