Frequently Asked Questions

Can I tour Charlotte Secondary?

We encourage prospective parents and students to come and see CSS for themselves. Tours are generally given on Wednesdays at 8:00am. For tours & open house information, please contact Tammy Williams at tammy.williams@charlottesecondary.org

Who is eligible to attend CSS?

Students living in the state of North Carolina who are in good standing in their current schools are eligible to enroll in Charlotte Secondary School. It is important to remember, however, that every child’s academic needs are different. And, because every school’s programs and resources vary, parents and students should carefully evaluate a potential school to ensure a good fit between the child’s abilities and the school’s educational philosophy and curriculum. CSS strongly encourages parents to attend an Open House and review all prospective family materials.

Where do I get an application?

Applications are available at the school, or you can download an application here.

Once completed, applications can be dropped off or faxed to the school at 704-295-0156. All applications must be signed; we cannot accept an unsigned application, regardless of its delivery method. Applications will be date and time stamped when received. The Lottery will occur on March 8, 2024. Applications received after this date will be placed on a waiting list in the order in which they are received.

Are you a college prep school?

CSS strives to prepare students for “what’s next.”

We recognize education/schools as the preparation for all Americans to earn a decent livelihood, be a good citizen of the nation and the world, and make a good life for oneself. Our philosophy naturally builds a rigorous college preparatory program – including 2 and 4-year institutions. Students’ intellectual as well as their ethical and moral growth and their sense of civic responsibility are developed and strengthened. The CSS philosophy supports students’ academic and moral development as closely related skills necessary for developing an individual into an authentic, purposeful learner.

In short, we want to prepare our students for life after high school, whether it’s college, community college, technical college or a career.

What is the purpose of a charter school?

Improve student learning
Increase learning opportunities for all students with special emphasis on expanded learning experiences for students who are identifies as at risk of academic failure or academically gifted
Encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods
Create new professional opportunities for teachers
Provide parents and students with expanded choices
Hold the school accountable for meeting measurable student achievement results

What is a charter school?

Charter schools are public schools in that they:

Are publicly funded through state and local tax revenue;
Do not charge tuition;
Are open to all North Carolina residents.

Unlike traditional public schools, though, charter schools are operated by non-profit corporations and governed by the corporation’s Board of Directors rather than the local school board. Also, charter schools are somewhat less regulated than traditional public schools. For example, NC charter schools have more flexibility than traditional public schools with respect to curriculum, teacher salaries and licensure requirements, specifications for school buildings, and purchasing.

However, charter schools are subject to oversight by the State Board of Education and the NC Department of Public Instruction. Charter school facilities must meet all local health and safety requirements and charter school students must take the same end-of-grade and end-of-course tests as other public school students in North Carolina.

Students who attend charter schools do so by choice. Charter schools, often referred to as under-funded public schools, receive state and local funding on a per student basis as do traditional public schools. Unlike traditional public schools, charter schools receive no funding for buildings, equipment, campus improvements, technology, transportation, food service, or capital expenditures.