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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Charlotte Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 65 public preschools serving 36,547 students in Charlotte, NC.
The top-ranked public preschools in Charlotte, NC are Polo Ridge Elementary School, Hawk Ridge Elementary School and Highland Mill Montessori. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Charlotte, NC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the North Carolina public pre school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 46% statewide average). Pre schools in Charlotte have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of North Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the North Carolina public preschool average of 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Preschools in Charlotte, NC (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Polo Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
11830 Tom Short Rd
Charlotte, NC 28277
(980) 343-0749
Gr: PK-5 | 634 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #22.
Hawk Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
9201 Bryant Farms Rd
Charlotte, NC 28277
(980) 343-5927
Gr: PK-5 | 640 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #33.
Highland Mill Montessori
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3201 Clemson Ave
Charlotte, NC 28205
(980) 343-5525
Gr: PK-6 | 341 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #44.
Mckee Road Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4101 Mckee Rd
Charlotte, NC 28270
(980) 343-3970
Gr: PK-5 | 534 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Chantilly Montessori
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
701 Briar Creek Rd
Charlotte, NC 28205
(980) 343-0692
Gr: PK-6 | 316 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Lincoln Heights Montessori
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1900 New Castle St
Charlotte, NC 28216
(980) 343-9442
Gr: PK-6 | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #77.
Bain Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
11540 Bain School Rd
Charlotte, NC 28227
(980) 343-6915
Gr: PK-5 | 766 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #88.
Sedgefield Montessori
Magnet School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
715 Hartford Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28209
(980) 343-5830
Gr: PK-6 | 485 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #99.
Endhaven Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
6815 Endhaven Ln
Charlotte, NC 28277
(980) 343-5436
Gr: PK-5 | 790 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #1010.
Mcalpine Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
9100 Carswell Ln
Charlotte, NC 28277
(980) 343-3750
Gr: PK-5 | 535 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1111.
Smithfield Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
3200 Smithfield Church Rd
Charlotte, NC 28210
(980) 343-6550
Gr: PK-5 | 672 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1212.
Allenbrook Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1430 Allenbrook Dr
Charlotte, NC 28208
(980) 343-6004
Gr: PK-5 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1313.
Idlewild Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
7101 Idlewild Rd
Charlotte, NC 28212
(980) 343-6411
Gr: PK-5 | 850 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1414.
Parkside Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2945 Johnston-oehler Rd
Charlotte, NC 28269
(980) 343-9915
Gr: PK-5 | 437 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1515.
Shamrock Gardens Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3301 Country Club Drive
Charlotte, NC 28205
(980) 343-6440
Gr: PK-5 | 532 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1616.
Croft Community School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
4911 Hucks Rd
Charlotte, NC 28269
(980) 343-0370
Gr: PK-5 | 459 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #1717.
Clear Creek Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
13501 Albemarle Rd
Charlotte, NC 28227
(980) 343-6922
Gr: PK-5 | 459 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #1818.
Winget Park Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
12235 Winget Rd
Charlotte, NC 28278
(980) 343-1063
Gr: PK-5 | 677 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #1919.
Lawrence Orr Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
4835 Shamrock Dr
Charlotte, NC 28215
(980) 343-9919
Gr: PK-5 | 751 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2020.
Windsor Park Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3910 Sudbury Rd
Charlotte, NC 28205
(980) 343-6405
Gr: PK-5 | 470 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #2121.
Berewick Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
5910 Dixie River Rd
Charlotte, NC 28278
(980) 344-1010
Gr: PK-5 | 717 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #2222.
Greenway Park Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
8301 Monroe Rd
Charlotte, NC 28212
(980) 343-5060
Gr: PK-5 | 511 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #2323.
Whitewater Academy
(Math: 51% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
11600 White Rapids Rd
Charlotte, NC 28214
(980) 343-0003
Gr: PK-5 | 832 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #2424.
Lake Wylie Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
13620 Erwin Rd
Charlotte, NC 28273
(980) 343-3680
Gr: PK-5 | 633 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #2525.
Briarwood Academy
(Math: 50% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1001 Wilann Dr
Charlotte, NC 28215
(980) 343-6475
Gr: PK-5 | 649 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2626.
Reedy Creek Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
10801 Plaza Rd Ext
Charlotte, NC 28215
(980) 343-6480
Gr: PK-5 | 850 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #2727.
Rama Road Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1035 Rama Rd
Charlotte, NC 28211
(980) 343-6730
Gr: PK-5 | 560 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #2828.
Paw Creek Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1300 Cathey Rd
Charlotte, NC 28214
(980) 343-6088
Gr: PK-5 | 784 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #2929.
Gov's Village Stem (Lower)
Magnet School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
7910 Neal Rd
Charlotte, NC 28262
(980) 343-5268
Gr: PK-4 | 784 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #3030.
Huntingtowne Farms Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2520 Huntingtowne Farms Ln
Charlotte, NC 28210
(980) 343-3625
Gr: PK-5 | 776 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #3131.
Mountain Island Lake Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
7905 Pleasant Grove Rd
Charlotte, NC 28216
(980) 343-6948
Gr: PK-8 | 766 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #3232.
Hidden Valley Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
5100 Snow White Ln
Charlotte, NC 28213
(980) 343-6810
Gr: PK-5 | 808 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #3333.
Winding Springs Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
6601 Horace Mann Rd
Charlotte, NC 28269
(980) 343-5140
Gr: PK-5 | 786 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #3434.
Lebanon Road Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
7300 Lebanon Rd
Charlotte, NC 28227
(980) 343-3640
Gr: PK-5 | 488 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #3535.
South Pine Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2541 Sandy Porter Rd
Charlotte, NC 28273
(980) 343-0765
Gr: PK-5 | 765 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Show 30 more public schools in Charlotte, NC (out of 65 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public preschools in Charlotte, NC?
The top-ranked public preschools in Charlotte, NC include Polo Ridge Elementary School, Hawk Ridge Elementary School and Highland Mill Montessori.
How many public preschools are located in Charlotte?
65 public preschools are located in Charlotte.
What is the racial composition of students in Charlotte?
Charlotte public preschools minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the North Carolina public preschools average of 60% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Charlotte are often viewed compared to one another?

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