Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80

Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438
Best Public Schools in 28217 (Charlotte, NC) (2026)

Best 28217 North Carolina Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public schools serving 3,626 students in 28217, NC (there are 5 private schools, serving 204 private students). 94% of all K-12 students in 28217, NC are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
The top-ranked public schools in 28217, NC are Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy, Charlotte-mecklenburg Virtual School and South Academy Of International Languages. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Public schools in zipcode 28217 have an average math proficiency score of 60% (versus the North Carolina public school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 50% statewide average). Schools in 28217, NC have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of North Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the North Carolina public school average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best 28217, NC Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy
Charter School
(Math: 98% | Reading: 98%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
5225 Seventy-seven Center Dr
Charlotte, NC 28217
(704) 503-1112
Gr: K-8 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #22.
Charlotte-mecklenburg Virtual School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
7030 Nations Ford Road
Charlotte, NC 28217
(980) 343-3066
Gr: 5-12 | 619 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #33.
South Academy Of International Languages
Magnet School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
8300 Nations Ford Rd
Charlotte, NC 28217
(980) 343-5815
Gr: K-8 | 1,259 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #44.
Steele Creek Preparatory Academy
Charter School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2200 Shopton Road
Charlotte, NC 28217
(980) 243-5580
Gr: K-8 | 335 students Student-teacher ratio: 42:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #55.
Nations Ford Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
7050 Nations Ford Rd
Charlotte, NC 28217
(980) 343-5838
Gr: PK-5 | 610 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: n/an/a
Elbert Edwin Waddell High School
Vocational School
7030 Nations Ford Rd
Charlotte, NC 28217
(980) 343-2142
Gr: 9-12 | 123 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: n/an/a
Movement School Southwest
Charter School
150 Osprey Point Dr.
Charlotte, NC 28217
(704) 420-7980
Gr: K-3 | 284 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 98%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in 28217, NC?
How many public schools are located in 28217?
7 public schools are located in 28217.
What percentage of students in 28217 go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in 28217 are educated in public schools (compared to the NC state average of 93%).
What is the racial composition of students in 28217?
28217 public schools minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the North Carolina public schools average of 58% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Recent Articles

Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.

Quick Links