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University Park Creative Arts

Q: Is University Park Creative Arts a good school?

University Park Creative Arts ranks 618 th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Magnet Grades K-5

618^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 59% of North Carolina elementary schools

Summary

University Park Creative Arts is a small K–5 elementary school serving 212 students in Charlotte, NC, as part of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Nearly 98% of its students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, yet the school has made an extraordinary turnaround: after ranking in the 2nd percentile statewide in 2022–23, it climbed to the 59th percentile in 2025–26 and earned a 3-star rating—its best showing in available history.

Math and science are now clear strengths. In 2025–26, 3rd-grade math proficiency reached 83.7%, well above the state average of 66.4%, and 5th-grade science hit 78.3% proficiency compared with 67.7% statewide. These results stand out even more when compared with nearby schools serving similar demographics. Bruns Avenue Elementary and Walter G. Byers School have nearly identical poverty rates but rank in the 1st and 5th percentiles, respectively. University Park now outperforms other nearby zoned elementary schools as well, including Statesville Road Elementary (44th), Druid Hills Academy (42nd), and Thomasboro Academy (13th) in statewide rankings.

Reading remains the area to watch. Third-grade reading jumped to 58.1% proficiency in 2025–26, but 4th- and 5th-grade reading still lag district and state averages by roughly 8–10 points. The school shines in serving its student population: African American students ranked in the 86th percentile statewide and low-income students in the 76th percentile. With a low student–teacher ratio of 8.7 and chronic absenteeism at 30.1%—better than most comparable high-poverty schools nearby—University Park has the look of a school that has genuinely turned around, with its next challenge being sustained reading growth in the upper grades.

212

Students ?

8.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

97.6%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

2400 Hildebrand St
Charlotte, NC 28216-4443

(980) 343-5178

District: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Students who attend University Park Creative Arts usually attend:

Middle:	Ranson Middle
High:	West Charlotte High School

Racial breakdown:

African American:

67.5%

Hispanic:

25.9%

White:

4.7%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

Compare University Park Creative Arts to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 38th percentile in 2016 → 59th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 21 percentile points since 2016

✓Above the North Carolina median (59th percentile)

✓Small classes — about 9 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school63%

District avg64%

North Carolina avg61%

618^th of 1,492

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Top 41%▲ up 20 pts since 2016

From bottom 38% (2016) to top 41% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Elementary 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)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	57.6	618 of 1492	58.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	48.7	764 of 1490	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	36.9	980 of 1505	34.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	4.9	1477 of 1502	1.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	7.3	1457 of 1514	3.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	12.2	1356 of 1489	8.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	27.5	1133 of 1473	23.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	45.7	829 of 1434	42.2%	★★☆☆☆
2017	37.1	965 of 1429	32.5%	★★☆☆☆
2016	42.5	882 of 1425	38.1%	★★☆☆☆
2015	33.4	1029 of 1440	28.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	27.0	1052 of 1390	24.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	31.5	1013 of 1403	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	35.5	1000 of 1388	28.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	44.4	868 of 1381	37.1%	★★☆☆☆
2010	37.6	967 of 1363	29.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	32.7	1001 of 1354	26.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	33.0	965 of 1324	27.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	53.6	678 of 1293	47.6%	★★☆☆☆
2006	53.7	654 of 1276	48.7%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	78.3	127 of 903	85.9%	★★★★☆
2025	75.5	146 of 918	84.1%	★★★★☆
2024	63.7	248 of 924	73.2%	★★★★☆
2023	14.9	882 of 933	5.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	21.1	826 of 927	10.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	28.6	670 of 896	25.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	49.0	458 of 949	51.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	69.7	200 of 927	78.4%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	52.1	684 of 1447	52.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	58.9	564 of 1451	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	51.1	696 of 1455	52.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	8.8	1399 of 1459	4.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	12.0	1364 of 1458	6.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	16.5	1256 of 1440	12.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	28.6	1100 of 1424	22.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	44.5	840 of 1405	40.2%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2024	48.3	477 of 951	49.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	81.1	97 of 851	88.6%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	68.3	337 of 1434	76.5%	★★★★☆
2025	65.8	381 of 1437	73.5%	★★★★☆
2024	57.6	553 of 1450	61.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	8.9	1407 of 1437	2.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	9.9	1339 of 1366	2.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	19.1	1158 of 1329	12.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	39.0	892 of 1361	34.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	55.4	579 of 1332	56.5%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	63.8	510 of 1451	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	37.1	946 of 1450	34.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	24.0	1182 of 1464	19.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	3.9	1452 of 1461	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	4.7	1451 of 1464	0.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	8.1	1394 of 1444	3.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	27.1	1144 of 1430	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	46.3	823 of 1413	41.8%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	32.0	587 of 815	28.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	42.3	422 of 801	47.3%	★★☆☆☆

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)

African American (2026)86th percentile+27 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)76th percentile+18 vs school

Male (2026)65th percentile+6 vs school

Female (2026)53rd percentile-6 vs school

Hispanic (2024)50th percentile+15 vs school

Special Education (2026)28th percentile-31 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Science78%+11 vs state

Mathematics69%+5 vs state

Reading51%-5 vs state

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Schools Near University Park Creative 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)				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	EOG Mathematics 3rd Grade	EOG Mathematics 4th Grade	EOG Mathematics 5th Grade	EOG Mathematics 6th Grade	EOG Mathematics 7th Grade	EOG Mathematics 8th Grade	EOG Reading 3rd Grade	EOG Reading 4th Grade	EOG Reading 5th Grade	EOG Reading 6th Grade	EOG Reading 7th Grade	EOG Reading 8th Grade	EOG Science 5th Grade	EOG Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
University Park Creative Arts	Public, Magnet	K-5	2400 Hildebrand St	Charlotte	28216	Mecklenburg County	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(980) 343-5178	212	24	8.7	97.6%	10 (4.7%)	143 (67.5%)	55 (25.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.9%)	57.6	618^th of 1492 public elementary schools	58.6%		48.7	764^th of 1490 public elementary schools	48.7%	146	83.7	63.9	63.8				58.1	49.2	47.8				78.3		$12,569	$1,100	$11,469
Oaklawn Language Academy	Public, Magnet	K-8	1810 Oaklawn Ave	Charlotte	28216	Mecklenburg County	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(980) 343-0400	531	42	12.5	97.4%	49 (9.2%)	110 (20.7%)	360 (67.8%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	8 (1.5%)	75.5	312^th of 1492 public elementary schools	79.1%		71.4	368^th of 1490 public elementary schools	75.3%	56	85.0	76.3	68.9	71.7	74.1	59.6	60.0	71.2	68.2	54.7	75.9	55.3	77.8	59.6	$10,283	$656	$9,627
Lincoln Heights Montessori	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-6	1900 New Castle St	Charlotte	28216	Mecklenburg County	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(980) 343-9442	244	19	13.0	38.9%	60 (24.6%)	110 (45.1%)	39 (16.0%)	10 (4.1%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)	23 (9.4%)	88.5	141^st of 1492 public elementary schools	90.5%		89	121^st of 1490 public elementary schools	91.9%	20	82.8	86.7	75.0	75.0			75.9	86.7	75.0	68.8			90.0		$15,600	$194	$15,406
Bruns Avenue Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	501 S. Bruns Ave	Charlotte	28208	Mecklenburg County	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(980) 343-5495	415	23	18.2	—	10 (2.4%)	304 (73.3%)	86 (20.7%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (2.9%)	4.2	1470^th of 1492 public elementary schools	1.5%		6.1	1458^th of 1490 public elementary schools	2.1%	12	39.3	26.1	36.0				25.0	20.4	26.7				32.6		$14,397	$3,116	$11,281
Walter G. Byers School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-8	1415 Hamilton St	Charlotte	28206	Mecklenburg County	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(980) 343-6940	303	25	12.3	—	8 (2.6%)	230 (75.9%)	57 (18.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.6%)	10.4	1416^th of 1492 public elementary schools	5.1%		14.2	1361^st of 1490 public elementary schools	8.7%	55	41.0	37.1	39.0	28.2	22.2	9.3	33.3	22.9	36.6	17.9	37.8	34.1	56.4	37.2	$16,972	$2,176	$14,796
Irwin Academic Center	Public, Magnet	K-5	329 N. Irwin Ave	Charlotte	28202	Mecklenburg County	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(980) 343-5480	371	27	13.9	33.4%	80 (21.6%)	196 (52.8%)	36 (9.7%)	30 (8.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (7.8%)	92.4	81^st of 1492 public elementary schools	94.6%		88.9	122^nd of 1490 public elementary schools	91.8%	41	84.1	88.7	84.6				82.9	83.1	84.6				81.5		$11,169	$603	$10,566
Druid Hills Academy	Public	PK, KG-8	2801 Lucena Ave	Charlotte	28206	Mecklenburg County	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(980) 343-5515	288	30	9.7	—	7 (2.4%)	172 (59.7%)	90 (31.3%)	5 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (4.9%)	42.7	864^th of 1492 public elementary schools	42.1%		27.4	1120^th of 1490 public elementary schools	24.8%	256	89.2	73.7	50.0	59.5	55.6	65.7	59.5	34.2	32.3	40.5	29.6	40.0	46.7	65.7	$15,769	$2,330	$13,439
Movement Charter School	Public, Charter	K-8	2701-B Freedom Dr	Charlotte	28208	Mecklenburg County	Movement Freedom	Yes	No	No	Yes	(704) 585-1356	625	37	17.0	—	10 (1.6%)	539 (86.2%)	50 (8.0%)	3 (0.5%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (3.4%)	19.7	1285^th of 1492 public elementary schools	13.9%		9.9	1424^th of 1490 public elementary schools	4.4%	139	75.0	25.0	21.2			47.6	46.2	32.8	36.5			57.1	48.1	85.7
Thomasboro Academy	Public	K-8	538 Bradford Dr	Charlotte	28208	Mecklenburg County	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(980) 343-6000	569	39	14.5	—	12 (2.1%)	280 (49.2%)	213 (37.4%)	58 (10.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (0.9%)	18.9	1294^th of 1492 public elementary schools	13.3%		12	1393^rd of 1490 public elementary schools	6.5%	99	51.3	53.9	43.5	34.7	31.6	28.4	37.0	48.1	32.3	36.0	34.5	31.3	43.5	54.5	$12,153	$1,283	$10,870
Statesville Road Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	5521 Milhaven Ln	Charlotte	28269	Mecklenburg County	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(980) 343-6815	482	39	12.2	—	12 (2.5%)	290 (60.2%)	140 (29.0%)	15 (3.1%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	23 (4.8%)	44.4	838^th of 1492 public elementary schools	43.8%		30.5	1081^st of 1490 public elementary schools	27.4%	243	82.1	56.9	56.1				46.2	39.7	43.9				69.5		$10,250	$1,249	$9,001

Frequently Asked Questions about University Park Creative Arts

What schools do graduates of University Park Creative Arts attend?

Students who attend University Park Creative Arts usually go on to attend:

Middle : Ranson Middle
High : West Charlotte High School

Is University Park Creative Arts a good school?

University Park Creative Arts ranks 618^th of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend University Park Creative Arts?

In the 2024-25 school year, 212 students attended University Park Creative Arts.

What is the racial makeup of University Park Creative Arts?

Students at University Park Creative Arts are 67% African American, 26% Hispanic, 5% White, 2% Two or more races.

What district is University Park Creative Arts in?

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

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Latest North Carolina data All new data »

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

2025–26 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 2, 2026

2016–17 through 2024–25 graduation ratesSep 3, 2025

2024–25 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 3, 2025

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.