Charlotte Schools Shine Bright in Niche.com’s Rankings
Charlotte, North Carolina – It’s always exciting to see local schools recognized for their hard work and dedication to education! This week, Niche.com released its latest rankings of public high schools, and the results are definitely worth talking about. The Charlotte area is home to some of the best public high schools in the state, and even in the nation.
Top of the Class
Leading the charge is Ardrey Kell High School, which is part of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district. It snagged the top spot for 2025! This school is loved for its strong academics, impressive graduation rates, and overall college readiness. Right behind Ardrey Kell are two standout schools from the Union County Public Schools system: Marvin Ridge High in Waxhaw and Weddington High in Matthews. Both of these schools have made a name for themselves as stellar educational institutions, making them top choices for many families in the area.
A Look Beyond the City
But Charlotte isn’t the only place boasting excellent high schools! The ranking features schools from across the region including Monroe, Gastonia, Huntersville, Fort Mill, and Concord. This makes it clear that no matter where you find yourself in the area, outstanding educational opportunities are just around the corner.
For a broader comparison, the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham topped national rankings. This prestigious school is a state-funded residential institution catering to academically talented juniors and seniors, and this marks the second time they’ve claimed the national title in three years! Over in South Carolina, the spotlight is on the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics in Hartsville, which offers a tuition-free, two-year boarding program for high school seniors and juniors.
How the Rankings Are Determined
So, how did Niche.com come up with these rankings? They sift through a wealth of data from the U.S. Department of Education alongside reviews from parents and students. This year, they compiled information for more than 11,000 school districts, 93,000 public schools, and 30,000 private schools! Impressive, right? The report examines various factors, including state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, and teacher quality. Notably, they’ve decided to leave out SAT and ACT scores from this year’s ranking to reflect the shift away from standardized testing in college admissions.
Top Ten High Schools in the Charlotte Area
For those curious about the exact rankings, let’s take a look at the top ten public high schools in the Charlotte area:
- Ardrey Kell High School — Charlotte, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
- Marvin Ridge High School — Waxhaw, Union County Public Schools
- Weddington High School — Matthews, Union County Public Schools
- Central Academy of Technology & Arts — Monroe, Union County Public Schools / Magnet School
- Highland School of Technology — Gastonia, Gaston County Schools / Magnet School
- Charlotte Engineering Early College — Charlotte, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools / Magnet School
- Lake Norman Charter School — Huntersville, Charter School
- Catawba Ridge High School — Fort Mill, Fort Mill School District
- Fort Mill High School — Fort Mill, Fort Mill School District
- Cabarrus-Kannapolis Early College High School — Concord, Cabarrus County Schools / Magnet School
Moving Forward
Six local schools achieved an impressive A+ rating, evidencing the incredible dedication of educators and staff to their students. With a total of 108 local schools included in this ranking, there are plenty of options for families looking within the Charlotte area.
If you’re interested in how schools fared in previous years, Niche.com has made last year’s rankings available for comparison. Whether your children are just starting their educational journeys or are heading into their final years of high school, it’s wonderful to see our local schools being recognized for their hard work!
