Charlotte Secondary School: Top Charter School in Charlotte, NC (2026 List)

About Charlotte Secondary

Charlotte Secondary School, located at 8601 McAlpine Park Dr., Charlotte, NC 28211, serves students in grades 6 through 12 as a public charter school. Around 117 students attend the school, where student-teacher ratios average near 20:1. About 43% of students are female, while 57% are male. Academic performance data show about 23% of students are math proficient and about 50% are reading proficient. Small class sizes, individualized support, and a relationship-focused approach form the foundation of the school's educational model. The graduation rate stands near 92%. Charlotte Secondary School is designed for students who often thrive in a smaller learning environment than those offered by traditional high schools. Located near McAlpine Creek Greenway and southeast Charlotte's residential districts, the school serves an area where nearby home values commonly range from the upper-$300,000s to over $1 million. Rather than emphasizing scale, the school focuses on personalized instruction, student support, and college and career readiness. It remains a valued educational option within the broader landscape of top high schools in North Carolina for families seeking a more individualized learning experience.

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 23%

Reading 50%

State average proficiency is 23% in Math and 50% in Reading.

9

Full-time Teachers

20 : 1

Student-Teacher Ratio

15

Teachers In First Or Second Year (yrs)

174

Total Students

$60104

Avg. Teacher Salary

Student Demographics

White 14.37%

Asian 0%

Hispanic 33.33%

Black 40.23%

Two+ Races 12.07%

Native Am. 0%

White

14.37%

Asian

0%

Hispanic

33.33%

Black

40.23%

Two+ Races

12.07%

Native Am.

0%

Gender Distribution

Total Students: 174

43.1%

75 Female

56.9%

99 Male

Student Population

174 Students

With a student-teacher ratio of 20 : 1

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

Students per Counselor

174 : 1

Student to counselor ratio

Charlotte Secondary Contact Information

Address

8601 McAlpine Park Dr, Charlotte, NC, 28211

View on Map

Phone

(704) 295-0137

Call Now

Website

http://www.charlottesecondary.org

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: 7:45 AM - 3:00 PM

Early Dismissal Days

Dismissal Time: 12:15 PM

Note: Doors open at 7:30 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

Original works of art by students at Charlotte Secondary have been recognized by the public after being selected for sale in the official shop of the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture. The center’s Uptown Charlotte retail program featured student-designed works. The project provided students with an opportunity to showcase their creative work in a cultural public space. Schools and arts organizations continue to partner to give student artists the opportunity to share their work with wider audiences.

FAQ

Q1. What is Charlotte Secondary School known for?

Ans. Charlotte Secondary serves students through a smaller school model that emphasizes relationships, academic support, and personalized learning.

Q2. How does the school help students stay engaged in learning?

Ans. Teachers work closely with students and monitor progress through smaller classes and regular academic check-ins.

Q3. What makes the learning environment different?

Ans. Students learn in a setting that allows for more individualized attention than a large comprehensive high school.

Q4. Who often benefits from Charlotte Secondary School?

Ans. Students looking for a smaller school community and closer teacher support often find the environment appealing.

Q5. What is a key strength of Charlotte Secondary School?

Ans. Strong student-teacher relationships are central to the school's approach.

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.

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What Parents Say