Central Piedmont Early College: Top School in Charlotte, NC (2026 List)

About Central Piedmont Early College

Central Piedmont Early College, located at 1228 Elizabeth Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204, serves students in grades 9 through 13 as a public early college high school within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Around 178 students attend the campus with a student-teacher ratio of 20:1. About 65% of students are female and 35% are male. Academic performance measures indicate achievement levels well above many state averages, reflecting the school's college-focused mission and selective enrollment process. Students regularly complete college coursework while fulfilling high school graduation requirements, allowing many to earn substantial college credit before graduation. The graduation rate stands near 85%. Learning opportunities are built around dual enrollment through Central Piedmont Community College, with an emphasis on academic acceleration and postsecondary preparation. Situated in Charlotte's Elizabeth neighborhood near Uptown and the medical district, the school serves an area known for historic streets, urban redevelopment, and nearby home values commonly ranging from the mid-$300,000s to over $1 million. Central Piedmont Early College is widely regarded among top high schools in North Carolina for its early college model, outstanding graduation outcomes, and strong pathway to higher education.

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 0%

Reading 0%

State average proficiency is 0% in Math and 0% in Reading.

9

Full-time Teachers

20 : 1

Student-Teacher Ratio

2

Teachers In First Or Second Year (yrs)

178

Total Students

$60104

Avg. Teacher Salary

Student Demographics

White 14.61%

Asian 3.93%

Hispanic 29.78%

Black 47.75%

Two+ Races 3.93%

Native Am. 0%

White

14.61%

Asian

3.93%

Hispanic

29.78%

Black

47.75%

Two+ Races

3.93%

Native Am.

0%

Gender Distribution

Total Students: 178

66.85%

119 Female

33.15%

59 Male

Student Population

178 Students

With a student-teacher ratio of 20 : 1

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

Students per Counselor

178 : 1

Student to counselor ratio

Central Piedmont Early College Contact Information

Address

1228 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte, North Carolina

View on Map

Phone

(980) 343-1118

Call Now

Website

http://performancelearningcenter.wearecms.com

Recent News & Updates

New Playground Name

We are so excited to announce the name of our new playground! Following a school-wide and Robinson community vote we narrowed a large list of names down to four. Since our students will be using the playground on a daily basis, we gave them the final vote! 476.....

School Timings

Regular School Hours

All Grades: 7:15 AM - 2:15 PM

Early Dismissal Days

Dismissal Time: 12:15 PM

Note: Doors open at 7:00 AM for student arrival. Please refer to the school calendar for specific early dismissal dates.

After School Activities

Information coming soon

School Session Dates

September to June

School session starts in September 1st week and ends in June 3rd week. For exact dates, please contact the school.

Remarkable Alumni

Being Updated

Map

Latest News

Central Piedmont Early College kicks off new school year with expanded technical partnerships to support workforce and education initiatives in Charlotte region The program now works with 800 regional businesses and a new initiative will focus on AI-based safety technology with UNC Charlotte and the Charlotte Area Transit System. The partnership will look at the use of artificial intelligence in public safety and tech development. Industry and institutional partnerships continue to offer students opportunities to learn about emerging technologies and career-focused learning opportunities.

FAQ

Q1. How does Central Piedmont Early College blend high school and college studies?

Ans. Central Piedmont Early College gives students the opportunity to complete high school requirements while earning college credit through Central Piedmont.

Q2. Why do students choose Central Piedmont Early College?

Ans. Many students are attracted by the chance to begin college-level coursework earlier than their peers.

Q3. What skills do students develop through the program?

Ans. Students learn how to manage college expectations, balance demanding coursework, and work independently.

Q4. What does a typical academic schedule look like?

Ans. Students take a combination of high school classes and college courses, with college coursework increasing over time.

Q5. What is a major benefit of graduating from Central Piedmont Early College?

Ans. Graduates often leave high school with a significant number of transferable college credits.

Games & Extracurricular Activities

Sports

Soccer Club Grades 1-3 | Mon/Wed 3:30-4:30pm
Basketball Grades 2-4 | Tue/Thu 3:30-4:45pm
Track & Field Grades 3-5 | Fri 3:30-5:00pm

Arts

Art Club Grades K-2 | Mon 3:00-4:00pm
Drama Club Grades 3-5 | Wed 3:30-5:00pm
Choir Grades 2-5 | Thu 3:15-4:15pm

Clubs

Chess Club Grades 2-5 | Fri 3:15-4:15pm
Garden Club All Grades | Tue 3:15-4:00pm
Robotics Club Grades 3-5 | Thu 3:30-5:00pm

Note: Schedules may change during school holidays. Please contact School for exact Schedule.

Summer Suggested Reading

Horn Book Selections

Vocabulary.com +3 Horn Book +3 What to Read to Your Kids +3

ML

Maggie Lou, Firefox

by Arnolda Dufour Bowes

PS

The Puppets of Spelhorst

by Kate DiCamillo

MLV

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

by Nicholas Day

Vocabulary.com Top Picks

Penguin Random House +10 Vocabulary.com +10 Wikipedia +10

F

Frindle

by Andrew Clements

WR

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown

JGP

James and the Giant Peach

by Roald Dahl

Penguin Random House Features

Horn Book +2 Penguin Random House +2 The Guardian +2

SLB

The Secret Language of Birds

by Lynne Kelly

S

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

by Beth Lincoln

Free Robotics and Stem In-person Workshop in Your Neighbourhood for 7-14 Years Tech Enthusiasts.

Local kids are transforming ideas into real-world.

See the projects happening right in your neighborhood

What Parents Say