From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Location	Charlotte, North Carolina
Superintendent	Dr. Peter Gorman
Total Enrollment	121,640 (2004-05)
2004-2005 Budget	$889,268,744
Website	CMS

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (abbreviated CMS) is a local education agency headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. With over 125,000 students enrolled, it is the largest school district in North Carolina. The system is best known nationally for its role as the respondent in the landmark 1971 Supreme Court decision Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Contents 1 High schools 1.1 University and Northern Mecklenburg 1.2 Mint Hill, Matthews, and Eastern Mecklenburg 1.3 Pineville and Southern Mecklenburg 1.4 Western Mecklenburg 2 Elementary and middle schools 3 Achievements 4 Deconsolidation efforts 5 See also 6 External Links

CMS operates 19 high schools. The following is a list of those schools, divided by geographical region of Mecklenburg County, along with the year opened and mascot:

• Hopewell High School (2001, Titans)
• Mallard Creek High School (2007, Mavericks)
• North Mecklenburg High School (1951, Vikings formerly Rebels)
• Zebulon B. Vance High School (Part of the Governors Village Complex (1997, Cougars)

• David W. Butler High School (1997, Bulldogs)
• East Mecklenburg High School (1950, Eagles)
• Garinger High School (1959, Wildcats)
• Independence High School (1967, Patriots)
• Providence High School (1989, Panthers)

• Ardrey Kell High School (2006, Knights)
• South Mecklenburg High School (1959, Sabres)
• Olympic High School (1966, Trojans)
• Myers Park High School (1951, Mustangs)
• E.E. Waddell High School (2001, Raiders)

• Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology (2003, Cardinals)
• Harding University High School (1935, Rams)
• Northwest School of the Arts - Performing Arts Magnet School
• West Charlotte High School [1] (1945, Lions)
• West Mecklenburg High School (1951, Hawks(formerly Indians))

CMS also operates 91 elementary schools and 32 middle schools.

Several CMS high schools have been recognized by Newsweek as being among the 100 best high schools in the United States, a statistic based on the number of advanced classes that are offered to students.

During the 2005-2006 school year CMS students received $39.2 million in academic merit-based financial aid from universities and other organizations, and $14.9 million in athletic scholarships.

CMS has recently been the target of a deconsolidation effort called "DUMP CMS" (Don't Underestimate Mecklenburg Parents; site is linked below). The motive behind this movement stems from overcrowding and low performance in many high schools (Waddell HS in Southwest Charlotte receiving the most attention). The basic premise of the movement is to make several smaller systems which would "free" the smaller communities from Charlotte's control. Detractors say the plan is not feasible.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System has approved of this decentralization. http://pages.cms.k12.nc.us/decentralization/

• List of school districts in North Carolina

• Dump CMS Exposing CMS's faults
• CMS Official Website
• History of CMS
• What Makes CMS Schools Rock?

• CMS discussion