Summary:
Zip code 28202 in Charlotte, NC, is served by a single middle school, First Ward Creative Arts Academy, which enrolls 421 students in grades 6–8 as part of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. This arts-focused school is an exceptionally high performer, ranking 70th out of 778 middle schools statewide (91st percentile) and earning a 5-out-of-5-star rating.
Despite 99.29% of students qualifying for free/reduced-price lunch, First Ward dramatically outperforms both district and state averages in every subject and grade tested. In reading, proficiency reaches 79.5% in 6th grade, 84.6% in 7th grade, and 83.5% in 8th grade — roughly 25–28 percentage points higher than state averages near 55%. Math scores are also strong, ranging from 68.5% to 76.0% proficient across grades, compared with a state average near 56%. Science is a standout area, with 89.0% of 8th graders proficient versus about 68.6% statewide. The school’s student-teacher ratio is a healthy 14.6:1, and average proficiency across middle-school subjects is far higher than the district and state baselines.
One notable concern is chronic absenteeism, reported at 38.0%, compared with 26.8% for the district and 24.2% statewide. It is remarkable that academic performance remains top-tier despite this attendance challenge, suggesting that reducing absenteeism could lead to even stronger outcomes. Earlier elementary-grade EOG results from 2024–2025 for grades 3–5 show weaker performance, but the current 6–8 results indicate that First Ward Creative Arts Academy is an academically excellent middle school option in zip code 28202. For families seeking strong reading, science, and math instruction, this school clearly stands out as a high-performing choice within both the district and the state.
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