Charlotte Schools Guide
Charlotte Schools Guide: CMS and Private Schools
The official links, enrollment steps, key dates and private school options families ask us about most, all in one place. The Zahn Group updates the "This month in CMS" section every month.
Start here: CMS in 3 steps
Find your assigned school
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) assigns students to a home school by address. Look up the elementary, middle and high schools for any Mecklenburg County address.
Find My SchoolRegister with CMS
New families register online. Have a birth certificate, proof of residency (lease or closing documents) and prior school records ready. 2027-28 registration opened October 19, 2026.
RegisterExplore Program Choice
Magnet and specialty programs (Montessori, world languages, STEM, arts and early college) are filled by lottery. Students must be registered with CMS to apply.
See programsBuying a home? Assignment boundaries can change from year to year. Check the current assignment for the specific address before you buy, and again close to your move.
2027-28 CMS Program Choice lottery
Good to know: The lottery is not first come, first served. Families rank their choices in one online application, and all applications received by the deadline are processed together.
This month in CMS: November 2026
Coming up in December
Dec 1: last day for new students to register and still apply to the lottery
Dec 9: early release day
Dec 11: Program Choice lottery closes
Dec 21 to Jan 1: winter break
2026-27 school year: August 25, 2026 to June 9, 2027. See the full CMS calendar
Looking outside Mecklenburg County?
Each district has its own address lookup and enrollment process, so confirm the assigned schools for any home before you buy.
How can I compare Charlotte schools?
GreatSchools
Test scores, ratings, enrollment and parent reviews for public, charter and private schools across Charlotte.
Visit GreatSchoolsCMS school plans
Each school's own improvement plan, goals and priorities, published by the district.
View plansCMS data and fast facts
District-wide statistics on enrollment, schools and performance from CMS.
See the dataTouring a school and talking with its staff is still the best way to get a feel for it.
Private schools in the Charlotte area
Several private schools families moving to South Charlotte often ask us about:
Charlotte Catholic High School
9-12Catholic7702 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte. Admissions through the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS) office.
AdmissionsWhen to apply
Most schools open applications in the fall, with priority deadlines in December and January. Charlotte Country Day, for example, lists January 2, 2027 for JK and K, and January 15, 2027 for grades 1 to 12. Relocating mid-year? Many schools review late applications as space allows.
Tuition
Published 2026-27 tuition at several of these schools ranges from about $15,490 (junior kindergarten at Covenant Day) to $36,325 (grades 6 to 12 at Providence Day). Rates change every year, and most schools offer need-based financial aid.
More resources for moving to Charlotte
Moving to Charlotte FAQ | Charlotte Home Buyer FAQ | South Charlotte market update
Charlotte schools FAQ
How do I find out which CMS school a home is assigned to?
Enter the address in the CMS Find My School map on the Mecklenburg County GeoPortal. It shows the assigned elementary, middle and high schools for that address. Boundaries can change, so check again close to your move.
Can my child attend a CMS school other than our assigned school?
Yes, through the CMS Program Choice lottery or the transfer and reassignment process. For 2027-28, the lottery application period runs November 2 to December 11, 2026, and the student must be registered with CMS to apply.
When does the CMS school year start and end?
The 2026-27 CMS school year runs from August 25, 2026 to June 9, 2027. Winter break is December 21, 2026 to January 1, 2027, and spring break is March 29 to April 2, 2027.
When should I apply to private schools in Charlotte?
Plan to start in the fall. Most Charlotte private schools set priority application deadlines in December and January for the following school year, with decisions released in late winter or early spring.
Can The Zahn Group tell me which school is best?
We share official school information and resources so you can research schools yourself, but we don't rank or recommend schools. We're happy to point you to the district tools and school contacts you need while you look at homes.
School assignments, programs and dates are set by each school system and can change. Always confirm details directly with the school or district.
Sources: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, School Choice Key Dates; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, 2026-27 Traditional Calendar; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, 2027-28 Enrollment and Choice Fair; GreatSchools, Charlotte, NC; Charlotte Country Day School, Admissions Process; Covenant Day School, Tuition; Providence Day School, Tuition; Charlotte Catholic High School, Admissions.
Last Updated 10/23/2026
