Summary:
In ZIP code 28211 in Charlotte, NC, there are 6 schools: 3 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school serving grades 6–12, representing an exceptionally wide range of academic performance in a single neighborhood. Five schools belong to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, while the standalone Charlotte Secondary school forms its own Charlotte Secondary School district. Some of the state’s strongest elementary schools sit just a few miles from schools struggling with high poverty, chronic absenteeism, and low proficiency.
Selwyn Elementary is the area’s standout performer: a 5-star school ranked in the 97th percentile, with math proficiency near 91% and science near 92%. Sharon Elementary is nearly as strong — also 5 stars, ranked in the 94th percentile, and with the lowest chronic absenteeism in the ZIP code at 7.2%. These two schools serve very few economically disadvantaged students. The best middle school is Randolph Middle, ranked in the 84th percentile with 4 stars; it beats district and state averages in every tested subject and keeps chronic absenteeism at 18.6%.
The other schools face much tougher circumstances. Rama Road Elementary has a 99.5% free/reduced lunch rate, 33% chronic absenteeism, and ranks in the 39th percentile. Alexander Graham Middle is below the state median (41st percentile), and despite similar demographics, funding, and class sizes to Randolph, its absenteeism rate of 34.4% is nearly double. Charlotte Secondary, the only high school, ranks in the 21st percentile with a 69.7% graduation rate. Notably, Rama Road spends the most per student ($11,718) yet has the lowest elementary outcomes, while Sharon spends least and excels. All three lower-performing schools have shown modest improvement in recent years, but they start from a low base. For parents, 28211 offers stark contrasts: top-tier elementary options and a strong middle school, but also several high-need schools where urgent progress is still needed.
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