Best Public Schools in Zip Code 28202

The 28202 zip code area of Charlotte, North Carolina is home to 3 schools - 2 elementary schools (First Ward Creative Arts Academy and Irwin Academic Center) and 1 alternative school (Metro School). These schools serve a diverse student population and demonstrate a range of academic performance and resource levels.

Among the 3 schools, Irwin Academic Center stands out as a high-performing elementary school, consistently ranking in the top 20% of North Carolina schools and earning a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. Its test scores significantly exceed the district and state averages across all grade levels and subjects. In contrast, First Ward Creative Arts Academy has lower test scores and a 2-star rating, indicating it is a lower-performing school. The Metro School, an alternative school, stands out for its very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (98.74%) and the highest per-student spending ($33,839) among the 3 schools.

The stark performance gap between Irwin Academic Center and First Ward Creative Arts Academy, despite being in the same Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district, suggests factors beyond just funding and resources may be driving the differences in academic outcomes. Understanding these nuances is crucial for data-driven decision making in education.