Schools & Education
The Charlotte-Mecklenberg Schools (CMS) was ranked by Forbes as 7th in the country for the “Best Education in the Biggest Cities”. Additionally, it was a finalist for the Broad Prize. This coveted prize is awarded annually to only four districts in the country for elevating their achievement levels. As a finalist, CMS was award over $125,000 in district scholarships.
The CMS K-12 public school system consists of 148 schools and learning centers and enrolls over 122,000 students. The district employs over 7,700 full-time teachers and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.90.
Charlotte and its surround suburbs also host over 35 colleges, universities, technical and trade schoosl in the area. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Jefferson C. Smith University, Queens College, Kings College, The Art Institute of Charlotte, Carolina College of Health Sciences, Central Piedmont Community College, Wake Forest University, and the Reformed Theological Seminary all call the city home.
Educational Attainment based on 2000 Census:
- High school diploma or equivalency: 20%
- Some college, no degree: 22%
- Associate degree: 6.4%
- Bachelor's degree: 26.0%
- Graduate or professional degree: 10.5%