Summary:
Located in Charlotte, NC, Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy is the only K-8 school in the Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy district, with 884 students and a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. Nearly 98% of students qualify for free/reduced-price lunch, yet chronic absenteeism is just 15.0%—well below the state’s 24.2%—a sign that attendance is a strength despite high poverty. The school earned 3 stars in 2023-2024 and 2024-2025, but dropped to 2 stars in 2025-2026 as its state percentile rank fell from the 68th to the 47th.
In 2024-2025, overall EOG proficiency was above state averages, led by reading and science. Sixth-grade reading beat the state by more than 12 points in both 2024-2025 and 2025-2026, and 8th grade reading was 13.7 points above the state in 2024-2025. The standout result was 8th grade science in 2024-2025, with 85.2% proficient—25 points above the state. But middle-school math was weak that year: only 27.5% of 8th graders and 37.4% of 7th graders were proficient. By 2025-2026, math recovered, yet science declined sharply—8th grade fell to 58.4% and 5th grade to 51.6%, both below state averages.
Reading is the school’s most dependable strength, matching or exceeding state averages both years. The biggest early-warning signal is 3rd grade in 2025-2026: reading proficiency was 41.9% vs. the state’s 55.6%, and 3rd grade math also trailed. With only one school in this profile, the best comparisons are to statewide benchmarks and the school’s own history. The key takeaway for parents is that this school can achieve excellent results—especially in reading and once in 8th grade science—but performance varies considerably by grade, subject, and student cohort. The school’s declining statewide rank and recent science drop are trends to watch as younger students move up.
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