- Metro School — 0.5 mi · Grades PK–12 · 258 students
- First Ward Creative Arts Academy — 0.6 mi · Grades K–5 · 421 students
- Irwin Academic Center — 0.9 mi · Grades K–5 · 371 students
- Central Piedmont Early College — 1.0 mi · Grades 9–13 · 278 students
- Piedmont Middle School — 1.1 mi · Grades 6–8 · 1,108 students
- Dilworth Elementary — 1.1 mi · Grades PK–2 · 411 students
- Dilworth Elementary School Latta Campus — 1.1 mi · Grades 3–5 · 330 students
- Walter G. Byers School — 1.2 mi · Grades PK–8 · 303 students
with district
| Metric | Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 144,197 | 3,544 | Much larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 180 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $13,065/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 26% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | — | Above average |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 115 rated districts in NC → 73rd percentile → 8/10.
Source: North Carolina Dept. of Public Instruction EOG, grades 3–8 Reading & Math Grade Level Proficient, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is the public school district assigned to zip code 28280 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Serving students from Pre-K – 13th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 28280. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
With a rating of 8/10 (above average), Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools ranks among North Carolina’s above average-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in North Carolina’s EOG grades 3–8 Reading & Math assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because North Carolina is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in North Carolina. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 28280
Children in zip code 28280 are assigned to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 13th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 28280, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools at (980)343-6270 or visit www.cmsk12.org. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — North Carolina districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Charlotte
For families considering a purchase in the Charlotte area, district assignment matters financially. Because Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools serves zip code 28280, homes in and around zip code 28280 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In North Carolina, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 28280.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 28280 data.