Of the seven cities in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Charlotte is the largest. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district boasts scores of schools covering all age groups. There are five pre-K schools; 104 elementary schools; 38 middle schools and 34 high schools, as well as one alternative school and two for exceptional children. All are accessible through the website of the county school system.
Instructions
1. Visit the school district's website at cms.k12.nc.us as well as their Facebook page for information about education levels, school locations and activities. The school district website offers guidance on find the school your child will attend. The Student Placement section of the site provides contact information. The Facebook page features updates on county school activities. Learn about donations from local businesses to the school district.
2. Learn about an individual school by visiting the website next to the school's name on the district's Schools page. The page will display a list of schools for each grade tier, along with telephone numbers and email contacts. For instance, click on the Pre-Kindergarten section, then click on the name of the school, such as Plaza Road Pre-Kindergarten. The site lists the school name, address, telephone number, principal, school zone and bell hours.
3. Use the district site to investigate opportunities offered by the schools in the Finding Opportunities; Creating Unparalleled Success (FOCUS) subsystem. FOCUS schools are those in which students receive more individualized attention and extra support.
The 65 FOCUS schools in Charlotte-Mecklenburg feature resources and support including reduced student-teacher ratios, and they have signing bonus opportunities for new teachers and financial assistance for those enrolled in a master's degree program.
4. Explore the eligibility of your child for one of the magnet programs, which offer students opportunities to develop their special interests and talents. According to the website, magnet programs use innovation in teaching and increased parental involvement, which can "lead to higher student achievement."
Magnet programs in the CMS district are available to students who meet certain eligibility requirements, including minimum scores on standardized tests. Contact the Magnet Office to schedule an open house visit, and if you wish to place your child in such an environment, submit a CMS Magnet Lottery Application.
Tags: school district, your child, county school, district website, Facebook page, FOCUS schools