Charlotte, September 10, 2025
News Summary
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) report significant academic improvements as 56% of students attained proficiency on state exams, marking a 3 percentage point increase. The district showcases consistent growth, with 39% of schools receiving A or B grades. Moreover, the percentage of low-performing schools decreased drastically, and reading and math scores saw substantial enhancements. CMS is ambitious in its goal to eliminate all F-rated schools by the end of the upcoming school year while continuing to foster educational equity.
Charlotte
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) experienced significant academic gains during the 2024-25 school year, as highlighted by newly released state accountability data. About 56% of CMS students achieved proficiency on state exams, reflecting a 3 percentage point increase from the previous year. This leaves CMS slightly ahead of the state average, which increased to 55%. A student is considered proficient if they score three out of five or above on end-of-grade exams.
The district has shown consistent improvement since the 2020-21 school year, although current proficiency levels remain below the pre-pandemic rate of 59.8%. Superintendent Crystal Hill expressed enthusiasm regarding the overall progress and the efforts put forth by the district. Notably, about 39% of CMS schools received performance grades of A or B, marking a significant improvement with a 7 percentage point increase since last year. In total, 29 CMS campuses earned an A performance grade.
Furthermore, the percentage of schools rated D or F saw a dramatic improvement, decreasing by 11 percentage points from previous data, down to 29%. However, six F-rated schools still remain in their rankings. Notably, CMS has set an ambitious goal to eliminate all F-rated schools by the end of the 2025-26 school year.
Improvement in Growth Targets
Approximately 61% of CMS campuses surpassed their growth targets, an increase from just over a third of schools that did the same last year. In total, 90% of CMS schools met or exceeded growth goals, outperforming the state average of 71%. Additionally, the number of schools classified as low-performing decreased by 43%, from 56 schools in 2023-24 to 32 schools in 2024-25. A school is deemed low-performing if it receives a D or F accountability grade and fails to surpass growth expectations.
Subject-Specific Improvements
Improvements were particularly notable across key subject areas. Reading scores for grades 3-8 increased by 5.2%, while math scores experienced a boost of 4.6%. Additionally, Math III scores surged by 8.2%. CMS set a historical record as 156 (or 89.1%) of its schools met or exceeded growth this year, the highest numbers and percentages recorded in district history. Furthermore, CMS ranked 10th out of 115 public school districts in North Carolina for the percentage of schools meeting or exceeding growth targets, marking a historic high.
Performance Grades and Historical Advances
A significant number of CMS schools have improved their overall performance. 123 (or 70%) schools earned grades ranging from A to C, an increase of 21 schools from the previous year—the largest increase in CMS history. In total, 55 schools upgraded their performance letter grades, reflecting the largest single-year increase in CMS to date. Notably, 31 CMS schools improved their status, earning the removal of the state low-performing designation, representing a record decrease in the number of such schools.
As CMS began its new school year on August 25, 2025, the district aims to continue to foster academic achievement and educational equity in alignment with its Strategic Plan.
Key Statistics Snapshot
| Performance Indicator | 2024-25 Data | Change from Previous Year |
|---|---|---|
| Proficiency Rate | 56% | +3 percentage points |
| Schools with A or B Grades | 39% | +7 percentage points |
| Schools with D or F Grades | 29% | -11 percentage points |
| Exceeding Growth Targets | 90% | +significant increase |
| Low-Performing Schools | 32 | -43% |
| Improvements in Reading Scores | +5.2% | Increase |
| Improvements in Math Scores | +4.6% | Increase |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proficiency rate for CMS students this year?
The proficiency rate for CMS students in the 2024-25 school year was 56%, an increase from the previous year.
How many schools received A or B performance grades?
About 39% of CMS schools received A or B performance grades, marking a 7 percentage point increase from the prior year.
What is the goal for CMS for the 2025-26 school year?
CMS aims to eliminate all F-rated schools and continue improving overall academic performance.
Did CMS see any historical improvements in school performance?
Yes, CMS marked numerous historical achievements, with improvements in growth targets and the largest single-year increases in school performance grades.
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Additional Resources
- Charlotte Observer: Academic Gains
- WCNC: CMS Improvement Insights
- Charlotte Weekly: CMS Celebration
- WSOC TV: CMS Trends
- Wikipedia: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Author: HERE Charlotte
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