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Northwest School of the Arts

Q: Is Northwest School of the Arts a good school?

Northwest School of the Arts ranks 92 nd of 662 North Carolina high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public, Magnet Grades 9-12

92^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 662 North Carolina High Schools

Better than 86% of North Carolina high schools

Summary

Northwest School of the Arts is an arts-focused public school in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, serving 993 students at 1415 Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Academically, Northwest is one of the strongest high schools in its part of Charlotte. It ranks #92 out of 662 North Carolina high schools — the 86th percentile, earning 4 stars — which places it well above the CMS district's overall standing. On end-of-course tests, Northwest students dramatically outperform state averages: 85% score proficient in Biology (vs. 58.5% statewide), 94.7% in English II (vs. 64.6%), 81% in Math I (vs. just 42.1%), and 94.1% in Math III (vs. 68.9%).

The contrast with nearby traditional high schools is striking. West Charlotte High School is less than a mile away, yet its proficiency rates are dramatically lower in every subject. Northwest also stands out for serving students well across the board: its special education students rank #1 out of 372 North Carolina high schools, and African American and Hispanic students both score in the 92nd percentile statewide. About 38% of Northwest students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch — far lower than nearby schools like West Charlotte, Garinger High School, or Harding University High School, where rates exceed 99%. The school's main challenge is attendance: chronic absenteeism has risen from 10.7% to 23.6% over two years, though that remains better than both the district and state averages.

993

Students ?

15.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

38.1%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

1415 Beatties Ford Rd
Charlotte, NC 28216-4549

(980) 343-5500

District: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Racial breakdown:

African American:

43.5%

White:

32.5%

Hispanic:

14.8%

See top rated North Carolina high schools

Compare Northwest School of the Arts to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 74th percentile in 2022 → 86th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the North Carolina average (90% vs 60% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 14% of North Carolina high schools

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 86th (2026) from a 74th-percentile low (2022)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school90%

District avg61%

North Carolina avg60%

92^nd of 662

North Carolina public high schools ?

Top 14%▼ down 6 pts since 2016

From top 7% (2016) to top 14% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

105^th of 246Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools among North Carolina districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	87.1	77 of 773	90.0%	★★★★★
2024	78.2	139 of 793	82.5%	★★★★☆
2023	81.8	123 of 784	84.3%	★★★★☆
2022	83.1	116 of 786	85.2%	★★★★☆
2021	81.7	118 of 741	84.1%	★★★★☆
2019	84.4	87 of 737	88.2%	★★★★☆
2018	82.0	93 of 691	86.5%	★★★★☆
2017	83.1	91 of 694	86.9%	★★★★☆
2016	85.5	70 of 692	89.9%	★★★★★
2015	84.8	86 of 705	87.8%	★★★★☆
2014	82.3	94 of 627	85.0%	★★★★☆
2013	75.6	135 of 673	79.9%	★★★★☆
2012	77.9	112 of 662	83.1%	★★★★☆
2011	73.2	166 of 648	74.4%	★★★★☆
2010	62.2	268 of 640	58.1%	★★★☆☆
2009	61.3	283 of 630	55.1%	★★★☆☆
2008	54.9	310 of 620	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2007	56.4	304 of 606	49.8%	★★★☆☆
2006	54.1	318 of 598	46.8%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	88.2	45 of 546	91.8%	★★★★★
2024	78.0	82 of 560	85.4%	★★★★☆
2023	85.4	53 of 559	90.5%	★★★★★
2022	87.9	46 of 550	91.6%	★★★★★
2021	89.9	30 of 533	94.4%	★★★★★
2019	90.2	35 of 519	93.3%	★★★★★
2018	90.5	31 of 494	93.7%	★★★★★

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2021	70.4	57 of 478	88.1%	★★★★☆
2019	62.4	117 of 504	76.8%	★★★★☆
2018	83.8	27 of 475	94.3%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	85.8	76 of 733	89.6%	★★★★☆
2024	74.1	162 of 738	78.0%	★★★★☆
2023	81.0	118 of 731	83.9%	★★★★☆
2022	83.0	104 of 733	85.8%	★★★★☆
2021	81.8	97 of 706	86.3%	★★★★☆
2019	81.6	97 of 684	85.8%	★★★★☆
2018	80.4	103 of 656	84.3%	★★★★☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	77.0	18 of 458	96.1%	★★★★★
2024	66.6	129 of 461	72.0%	★★★★☆
2023	43.2	334 of 452	26.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	67.6	107 of 450	76.2%	★★★★☆
2021	72.3	86 of 448	80.8%	★★★★☆
2019	66.9	112 of 416	73.1%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	91.8	26 of 562	95.4%	★★★★★
2024	94.5	22 of 564	96.1%	★★★★★
2023	89.1	29 of 553	94.8%	★★★★★
2022	80.2	59 of 541	89.1%	★★★★☆
2021	73.8	71 of 522	86.4%	★★★★☆
2019	89.8	24 of 493	95.1%	★★★★★
2018	91.1	16 of 472	96.6%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	88.6	47 of 729	93.6%	★★★★★
2024	81.7	75 of 743	89.9%	★★★★★
2023	85.5	52 of 735	92.9%	★★★★★
2022	77.9	88 of 689	87.2%	★★★★☆
2021	82.4	52 of 633	91.8%	★★★★★
2019	90.4	26 of 639	95.9%	★★★★★
2018	86.3	31 of 604	94.9%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	84.6	91 of 733	87.6%	★★★★☆
2024	80.7	120 of 751	84.0%	★★★★☆
2023	76.8	152 of 747	79.7%	★★★★☆
2022	74.9	162 of 748	78.3%	★★★★☆
2021	73.6	168 of 711	76.4%	★★★★☆
2019	82.8	97 of 697	86.1%	★★★★☆
2018	76.8	125 of 665	81.2%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	88.7	20 of 328	93.9%	★★★★★
2024	85.7	27 of 306	91.2%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	74.6	44 of 478	90.8%	★★★★★
2024	96.3	7 of 473	98.5%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	93.5	24 of 649	96.3%	★★★★★
2024	88.5	59 of 652	91.0%	★★★★★
2023	92.0	33 of 656	95.0%	★★★★★
2022	95.4	16 of 658	97.6%	★★★★★
2021	93.6	23 of 632	96.4%	★★★★★
2019	91.9	28 of 624	95.5%	★★★★★
2018	92.6	28 of 596	95.3%	★★★★★

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	88.7	92 of 662	86.1%	★★★★☆
2025	83.5	118 of 641	81.6%	★★★★☆
2024	73.1	164 of 640	74.4%	★★★★☆
2023	80.4	125 of 626	80.0%	★★★★☆
2022	70.9	164 of 621	73.6%	★★★★☆
2021	70.4	149 of 594	74.9%	★★★★☆
2019	79.6	56 of 514	89.1%	★★★★☆
2018	81.5	50 of 469	89.3%	★★★★☆
2017	84.6	29 of 476	93.9%	★★★★★
2016	79.4	38 of 507	92.5%	★★★★★
2015	84.5	22 of 531	95.9%	★★★★★
2014	59.3	119 of 451	73.6%	★★★★☆
2013	58.6	84 of 505	83.4%	★★★★☆
2012	74.8	45 of 502	91.0%	★★★★★
2011	72.2	71 of 506	86.0%	★★★★☆
2010	57.1	219 of 499	56.1%	★★★☆☆
2009	49.8	256 of 490	47.8%	★★☆☆☆
2008	46.7	276 of 477	42.1%	★★☆☆☆
2007	61.8	126 of 453	72.2%	★★★★☆
2006	35.6	325 of 431	24.6%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	93.2	37 of 450	91.8%	★★★★★
2025	87.0	57 of 440	87.0%	★★★★☆
2024	76.1	82 of 437	81.2%	★★★★☆
2023	86.8	59 of 434	86.4%	★★★★☆
2022	74.1	80 of 430	81.4%	★★★★☆
2021	76.7	29 of 364	92.0%	★★★★★
2019	86.2	21 of 369	94.3%	★★★★★
2018	85.6	31 of 359	91.4%	★★★★★

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2022	72.2	44 of 330	86.7%	★★★★☆
2021	89.3	15 of 334	95.5%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	88.5	78 of 629	87.6%	★★★★☆
2025	80.3	124 of 610	79.7%	★★★★☆
2024	67.9	186 of 602	69.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	79.0	122 of 588	79.3%	★★★★☆
2022	68.8	170 of 594	71.4%	★★★★☆
2021	68.8	91 of 475	80.8%	★★★★☆
2019	78.5	61 of 475	87.2%	★★★★☆
2018	83.1	47 of 449	89.5%	★★★★☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	74.3	60 of 407	85.3%	★★★★☆
2025	55.4	236 of 412	42.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	69.9	113 of 403	72.0%	★★★★☆
2022	51.8	237 of 398	40.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	65.9	113 of 337	66.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	78.3	34 of 325	89.5%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	94.6	39 of 474	91.8%	★★★★★
2025	74.7	101 of 462	78.1%	★★★★☆
2024	77.4	89 of 454	80.4%	★★★★☆
2023	84.1	69 of 449	84.6%	★★★★☆
2022	77.0	85 of 436	80.5%	★★★★☆
2021	73.8	33 of 370	91.1%	★★★★★
2019	85.8	21 of 354	94.1%	★★★★★
2018	94.4	10 of 340	97.1%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	90.6	82 of 620	86.8%	★★★★☆
2025	74.6	127 of 606	79.0%	★★★★☆
2024	68.9	152 of 613	75.2%	★★★★☆
2023	76.3	115 of 597	80.7%	★★★★☆
2022	74.1	109 of 544	80.0%	★★★★☆
2021	64.5	49 of 432	88.7%	★★★★☆
2019	80.6	27 of 446	93.9%	★★★★★
2018	82.9	28 of 424	93.4%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	87.0	101 of 624	83.8%	★★★★☆
2025	87.0	103 of 601	82.9%	★★★★☆
2024	81.0	131 of 607	78.4%	★★★★☆
2023	80.3	129 of 602	78.6%	★★★★☆
2022	72.5	153 of 585	73.8%	★★★★☆
2021	71.2	75 of 481	84.4%	★★★★☆
2019	76.3	59 of 488	87.9%	★★★★☆
2018	71.1	91 of 463	80.3%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	100.0	1 of 372	99.7%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	87.7	64 of 551	88.4%	★★★★☆
2025	90.6	43 of 542	92.1%	★★★★★
2024	82.9	102 of 553	81.6%	★★★★☆
2023	88.0	64 of 537	88.1%	★★★★☆
2022	75.9	133 of 534	75.1%	★★★★☆
2021	85.6	27 of 439	93.8%	★★★★★
2019	84.1	32 of 444	92.8%	★★★★★
2018	90.2	16 of 427	96.3%	★★★★★

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Middle school

White (2025)96th percentile+6 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2025)96th percentile+6 vs school

Hispanic (2025)95th percentile+5 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)94th percentile+4 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)94th percentile+4 vs school

African American (2025)92nd percentile~ school

Special Education (2025)91st percentile~ school

Female (2025)90th percentile~ school

Disabled (2021)88th percentile+4 vs school

Male (2025)88th percentile~ school

High school

Special Education (2026)100th percentile+14 vs school

African American (2026)92nd percentile+6 vs school

Hispanic (2026)92nd percentile+6 vs school

White (2026)88th percentile~ school

Female (2026)88th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)87th percentile~ school

Disabled (2022)87th percentile+13 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2026)85th percentile~ school

Male (2026)84th percentile~ school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

English II95%+30 vs state

Math III94%+25 vs state

Biology85%+26 vs state

Math I81%+39 vs state

3.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, January 17, 2019

Great choice if your child is a musical theatre star or in orchestra. Technical Theatre is outstanding because of the current teacher. Dance department is very weak and offers only one or two performance opportunities per year. Academics are hit or miss. Kids with special needs fall through the cracks. Close Quote

by a teacher
Sunday, August 29, 2010

Northwest School of the Arts provides rigorous training in the visual and performing arts while requiring high academic achievement in the core subjects. The school climate provides a diverse student population with a safe and supportive environment where everyone is valued and encouraged to express their individuality. Close Quote

Schools Near Northwest School of the Arts

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				EOC Biology (2026)	EOC English II (2026)	EOC Math I (2026)	EOC Math III (2026)	EOG Mathematics (2026)		EOG Reading (2026)		EOG Science (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	EOC Biology End of Course	EOC English II End of Course	EOC Math I End of Course	EOC Math III End of Course	EOG Mathematics 7th Grade	EOG Mathematics 8th Grade	EOG Reading 7th Grade	EOG Reading 8th Grade	EOG Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Northwest School of the Arts	Public, Magnet	9-12	1415 Beatties Ford Rd	Charlotte	28216	Mecklenburg County	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(980) 343-5500	993	62	15.9	38.1%	323 (32.5%)	432 (43.5%)	147 (14.8%)	12 (1.2%)	6 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	73 (7.4%)	88.7	92^nd of 662 public high schools	86.1%		83.5	118^th of 641 public high schools	81.6%	26	85.0	94.7	81.0	94.1						$9,618	$478	$9,141
West Charlotte High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	2219 Senior Dr	Charlotte	28216	Mecklenburg County	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(980) 343-6060	2,008	102	19.6	—	29 (1.4%)	1,499 (74.7%)	368 (18.3%)	60 (3.0%)	1 (0.0%)	1 (0.0%)	50 (2.5%)	34.5	442^nd of 662 public high schools	33.2%		25.1	495^th of 641 public high schools	22.8%	53	45.3	55.4	36.6	66.2						$12,290	$1,386	$10,904
Williams Secondary Montessori	Public, Magnet	7-12	2400 Carmine St	Charlotte	28206	Mecklenburg County	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(980) 343-0040	401	28	14.5	19.7%	238 (59.4%)	87 (21.7%)	44 (11.0%)	18 (4.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	13 (3.2%)	83.9	117^th of 662 public high schools	82.3%		82.3	126^th of 641 public high schools	80.3%	9	77.3	90.9	87.5	84.3	79.1	62.4	88.4	89.5	89.5	$13,612	$958	$12,654
Stewart Creek High	Public, Charter	9-12	2701-F Freedom Dr	Charlotte	28208	Mecklenburg County	Stewart Creek High School	Yes	No	No	Yes	(980) 500-3731	342	12	29.6	—	8 (2.3%)	183 (53.5%)	134 (39.2%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	13 (3.8%)	2.3	645^th of 662 public high schools	2.6%		14.8	562^nd of 641 public high schools	12.3%	83	10.8	21.4
Phillip O Berry Academy of Technology	Public, Magnet	9-12	1430 Alleghany St	Charlotte	28208	Mecklenburg County	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(980) 343-5992	1,533	86	17.8	—	43 (2.8%)	945 (61.6%)	442 (28.8%)	58 (3.8%)	5 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (2.6%)	62	241^st of 662 public high schools	63.6%		55.7	259^th of 641 public high schools	59.6%	18	55.7	74.3	57.2	82.9						$8,885	$597	$8,288
Harding University High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	2001 Alleghany St	Charlotte	28208	Mecklenburg County	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(980) 343-6007	1,204	71	16.9	—	20 (1.7%)	799 (66.4%)	315 (26.2%)	38 (3.2%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	28 (2.3%)	8.6	610^th of 662 public high schools	7.9%		9.2	601^st of 641 public high schools	6.2%	9	30.6	38.7	11.2	32.4						$10,138	$983	$9,155
Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences	Public, Magnet	9-12	1411 Hawthorne Ln	Charlotte	28205	Mecklenburg County	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(980) 343-6011	239	18	13.2	—	12 (5.0%)	98 (41.0%)	109 (45.6%)	10 (4.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (4.2%)	74	165^th of 662 public high schools	75.1%		28.1	472^nd of 641 public high schools	26.4%	307	75.9	81.5	65.1	80.0						$15,697	$1,485	$14,213
Military and Global Leadership	Public, Magnet	9-12	1411 Hawthorne Lane Ste A	Charlotte	28205	Mecklenburg County	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(980) 343-6011	71	9	7.8	95.8%	4 (5.6%)	27 (38.0%)	39 (54.9%)	1 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)				35.7						$12,227	$794	$11,434
Central Piedmont Early College	Public	9-12	1228 Elizabeth Avenue	Charlotte	28235	Mecklenburg County	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(980) 343-1118	278	10	27.8	41.4%	48 (17.3%)	114 (41.0%)	89 (32.0%)	15 (5.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (4.3%)	90.4	72^nd of 662 public high schools	89.1%		88.5	88^th of 641 public high schools	86.3%	16	90.3	96.8	72.5	98.0						$18,854	$1,855	$16,999
Garinger High School	Public	9-12	1100 Eastway Dr	Charlotte	28205	Mecklenburg County	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(980) 343-6450	1,877	106	17.7	—	68 (3.6%)	578 (30.8%)	1,146 (61.1%)	52 (2.8%)	4 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	28 (1.5%)	16	578^th of 662 public high schools	12.7%		10.9	595^th of 641 public high schools	7.2%	17	31.1	35.0	30.5	51.1						$10,714	$1,102	$9,612

Frequently Asked Questions about Northwest School of the Arts

Is Northwest School of the Arts a good school?

Northwest School of the Arts ranks 92^nd of 662 North Carolina high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Northwest School of the Arts?

Students at Northwest School of the Arts are 44% African American, 33% White, 15% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

How many students attend Northwest School of the Arts?

In the 2024-25 school year, 993 students attended Northwest School of the Arts.

What district is Northwest School of the Arts in?

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

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Latest North Carolina data All new data »

2020–21 through 2025–26 immunization ratesNewOct 19, 2026

2022–23 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026

2017–18 through 2025–26 attendance data & graduation ratesSep 2, 2026

2025–26 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 2, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.