Uptown Wards Public School

As a follow-up to FOFW’s November meeting with CMS Superintendent Dr. Peter Gorman , FOFW hosted a meeting with George Dunlap – CMS School Board Representative for the Fourth Ward – and Scott McCully – Executive Director for Planning and Student Placement. Topics included how we might make a 2nd ward high school a high priority on the school board agenda, how we can ensure that all of Uptown’s Wards are treated as one, cohesive group so we can go to school together, are whether there any upcoming rezonings that will affect us – at any grade level.

Stay tuned for details on more events and activities.

Uptown’s four Wards are coming together to ensure that CMS is aware that the Center City is a strong and diverse neighborhood and that – as the Center City population continues to grow – it is imperative that CMS recognizes that our urban core is more than a collection of businesses; it’s a cohesive neighborhood with a vested interest in quality public schools. The Center City neighborhoods are asking that CMS:

Consider the Center City as a single neighborhood

Recognize that our neighborhood has children who need access to quality school options

Include Center City schools in facilities plans as CMS creates short term and long term plans

Designate the (future) second ward high school as a partial (county) magnet/partial neighborhood high school serving the Center City neighborhood

For more information, contact Colleen Turner at csturner@carolina.rr.com 

 

Schools

The amount of excellent Charlotte schools—public and private—is overwhelming, as is the information one has to process in order to make this important decision.
The Fourth Ward’s public neighborhood school is Irwin Avenue Elementary — offering Charlotte’s oldest magnet-choice program. It is important to note that the CMS (Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools) system is an OPEN CHOICE system, enabling you to opt to attend a neighborhood school or any one of the magnet programs (see below) for which your child qualifies (through location or—in the case of the Talent Development program—testing).
Following is overview information about public, private and boarding schools. More comprehensive information is available on the Web at:
Public Schools: www.cms.k12.nc.us
Private Schools: www.charlottechamber.com/content.cfm?category_level_id=148&content_id=357 (a directory)
Boarding Schools: www.boardingschoolreview.com 

CMS Public Schools

 Nationally recognized for combining academic rigor with rich opportunities in the arts and humanities, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) has the resources and the expertise to focus on the unique needs of each individual student. CMS offers a world of choices, from classical studies to culinary arts, information technology, and the highly acclaimed International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement Diploma programs.
CMS is recognized nationally for academic excellence. Recently, CMS was recognized by the Council of Great City Schools as one of four school districts in the country for significantly decreasing the achievement gap and excelling in academics
CMS offers programs for EC students in the following categories: autistic, hearing impaired, mentally disabled, multi-handicapped, orthopedically impaired, behaviorally / emotionally disabled, speech-language impaired, traumatic brain injured, visually impaired and other areas. Classrooms, programs and services for EC students are located throughout Mecklenburg County.

School Choice

Families will be expected to select from a variety of schools. Transportation will be provided when a family selects a magnet program, a school within their choice zone, or their “home” school.
Magnet programs—specialized curriculum areas for which a student may have a particular interest or talent;
“Home” school—school within the general vicinity of the family’s residence (Fourth Ward’s home school is Irwin Ave. Elementary);
Choice zone schools—elementary, middle and high schools included in pairings of high school feeder areas (Fourth Ward is part of the CMS Gold Zone); and
Other schools—selection of a school outside of the choice zone in which seats are available; district transportation not provided.

Magnet Programs

Accelerated Learning (K-5)

Employs techniques which have been used traditionally with gifted students that are proving to be successful with all students. Using Henry Levin’s Accelerated Schools model developed at Stanford University, this program accelerates student learning by creating the kind of schools we want for all children.

Center for Leadership and Global Economics (K-12)

The Leadership Center will provide opportunities for students to participate in an academic program that emphasizes an understanding of global studies and economics preparing them to be future leaders in their chosen field of study. Each class of students will form a learning community designed to promote teamwork, individual leadership skills and responsible and ethical decision-making. The program prepares students for careers in banking, finance, legal and political systems and the military.

Communication Arts (K-8)

The Communication Arts program concentrates on the effective expression of ideas and information through the use of various forms of media. At the elementary level, an enriched academic program includes a multicultural focus in social studies, special activities in science and computer instruction. Students can be involved in producing a newspaper and in-school television broadcasts and intensive research for presentations.

Early College/Professional Development at Waddell High School (9-12)

The Early College concept provides students the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school. The program allows ninth and 10th grade students to prepare for college courses by earning credits AP courses and other higher-level courses. In grades 11 and 12, students take credits at the college level through concurrent enrollment. Eleventh and twelfth grade students continue to earn their high school credits in the morning and take the college classes in the afternoon. Central Piedmont Community College and CMS are partners in the implementation of this program. Graduating students earn 36 college hours and can elect to earn 44 college hours through summer classes or online classes that will transfer across the community college system or the UNC institutions. Grades of D will not transfer.

Foreign Language Schools (K-12)

Students who enroll in one of the Foreign Language programs have the unique opportunity to become fluent in a second language. CMS offers second language immersion instruction in French, German, Japanese and Spanish. From the first days in kindergarten, students become familiar with the new language. This produces students who are proficient in listening, speaking, reading and writing in a second language. These intensive language programs are taught in the second language for all or part on the instructional day.

International Baccalaureate (K-12)

The elementary Candidate International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP) provides an introduction to inquiry-based learning. Awareness of the world is increased through a strong global emphasis and community service projects. Students focus on international studies, research and technology skills with the framework of interdisciplinary curriculum. The program also provides an introduction to a foreign language instruction through a video series.

The Middle Years Program (MYP) is a 6th-10th-grade continuum that is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). CMS has one authorized program (Davidson IB Middle/North Mecklenburg) and five candidate programs. The middle years program focuses on foreign language, humanities, advanced math and an intensive study of the core subjects integrating internationalism and areas of interaction. Students demonstrate a strong commitment to learning, both in terms of mastery of the subject content and in the development of the skills and discipline necessary for success in the IB program in grades 11 and 12 where international exams begin.

Learning Immersion Centers & Talent Development (K-5)

At the Learning Immersion Center, student learning is accelerated through an intense program focused on the strengths of each child. Students are challenged to reach their fullest potential. The program includes:
An enriched, accelerated academic program
Computer-assisted instruction and individual classroom computer stations
Hands-on programs in math and science
At the end of the second grade, each student will be evaluated for entrance into the Talent Development program. The Talent Development magnet schools provide a full-day, intensive program appropriate for identified gifted students in grades 3-5. Each school offers enriched and accelerated educational experiences in the four major content areas.

Math/Science and Environmental Studies (K-12)

 The Math/Science and Environmental Studies magnet program offers classes in all subject areas with specially designed classes in the areas of mathematics, the sciences and environmental studies, providing students with a range of options. Research skills are integrated into the academic program. Virtual reality brings the world into the classroom. Students are involved in hands-on instruction in all curriculum areas. The program builds on students’ interests in real-life issues and the world around them. Problem-based experiences will occur both in and out of the classroom so that students will develop the basic skills and attitudes necessary to protect the environment on which we depend.

Montessori (PreK-5)

In the Montessori program, children learn by working with specially designed, attractively displayed developmental materials. Children work alone or in small groups and develop a sense of self-esteem because they are given a balance of freedom and responsibility. Subjects include: reading, writing, mathematics, geometry, history, botany, biology, science, art, music, computer technology and physical education.

Open Education Schools (K-12)

Open education provides a challenging and intellectual climate where students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and behavior. Curiosity, interest and critical thinking skills are encouraged. Students are offered a broad range of varied experiences emphasizing exploration in areas of individual interest and ability while mastering the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.

Paideia Academy(K-8)

The word PAIDEIA (py-day-a) comes from a Greek word that means “the upbringing of a child.” The goal of the program is to provide a rigorous liberal arts education that allows students to develop the skills necessary to think and act critically as responsible citizens.
The Paideia program supports flexible scheduling, integration of learning styles, cooperative learning, interdisciplinary unit planning, multiple intelligences and differentiated instruction. The program’s philosophy focuses on preparing students for the duties of citizenship in a democracy, teaching students self-development and continued life-long learning and supporting students to utilize every opportunity for personal development in society.

Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology (9-11)

The district’s new technical high school is built on a belief system that values and honors all students, promotes critical thinking and reasoning, inspires a love for learning and the application of knowledge. Teachers facilitate and differentiate instruction to address the learning styles of all students, always with a focus upon the application of theory and know-how. Berry Academy will provide rigorous core academic curriculum as well as relevant technical offerings in five Career Academies:
Computer Science and Information Technology
Construction Crafts Technologies
Medical Science and Biotechnology.
Engineering Technology
Transportation Systems Technology

Pre-Advanced Placement (6-8)

The Pre-Advanced Placement (AP) program offers a variety of opportunities to ensure student success in the Advanced Placement program in high school. The program consists of three components:
Placement in advanced language arts and mathematics classes.
Mini-classes to expose students to a variety of topics and/or academic skills useful in advanced placement classes.
Opportunities for field trips and guest speakers to broaden knowledge.

Traditional (K-5)

The philosophy of the traditional magnet program is “the strength of the past is the foundation of our future.” Think back to days when students were taught in a structured environment and were held accountable to a standard of conduct and academics. Remember the past and add advanced technologies, updated materials and instructional practices and you have the traditional magnet program. The traditional program values the best of the past—manners, strong foundation in the basics, allegiance to the traditions, interests and ideals of the diverse American culture, classroom rituals and procedures, civics and citizenship.

Visual & Performing Arts (K-12)

The Visual and Performing Arts magnet schools are designed to develop students’ interests, skills and abilities in the arts. Students receive specialized studies in the visual arts, drama, music and dance and the arts are presented as an integral part of a strong academic program. The focus of the program is on enhancing academic achievement and encouraging excellence in the development of a student’s special talents and passion for the arts.

Private Schools

 Charlotte-Mecklenburg offers a variety of high quality public education. The following provides information as of June 1999 on the 60 independent (non-public) schools within Mecklenburg County. All schools are coeducational. None offer boarding facilities except one special school which provides a residential treatment program. Approximately 17,000 students are enrolled in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade and are instructed by 1,684 full-time teachers. Sectarian, nonsectarian and independent schools are represented.
A fairly complete listing of private schools is available at: www.charlottechamber.com/content.cfm?category_level_id=148&content_id=357 .

Boarding Schools

 Asheville School Co-ed Asheville, NC (Grades 9-12)

360 Asheville School Road, Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 254-6345×4055
www.ashevilleschool.org/Default.asp?bhcp=1

Saint Mary’s School All-girls Raleigh, NC (Grades 9-12)

900 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 424-4002
www.saint-marys.edu

Salem Academy All-girls Winston-Salem, NC (Grades 9-12)

500 Salem Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC 27108
(336) 721-2643
www.salemacademy.com

Day Care / Pre-School

There are several excellent preschool facilities in the immediate Fourth Ward area, including:

Bank of America Child Care Center

(For employees of Bank of America and Tenants Only)
300 N Poplar Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 386-4500

First United Methodist Child Development Center

501 N Tryon Street (8th and Tryon)
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 333-4882
www.fumccharlotte.org/content/17childdev.htm

First Ward Child Development Center

600 E 7th Street
Charlotte, NC 28202-2923
(704) 379-7924
www.cha-nc.org/hope6_cah.htm

Doris Campbell Day Care Home

1009 Greenleaf Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 334-5843

First Presbyterian Church Child Development Center

200 W Trade Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 376-8302
www.firstpres-charlotte.org/childrenCDC.htm

Life Span Circle School

601 N Graham Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 333-7107

Our Pride & Joy Child Care Center

1025 W 6th Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 342-0120

YWCA Uptown Child Development Center

415 E 4th Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 375-9922
www.ymcacharlotte.org/

Additional Online Resources

zerotofive.org, sponsored by Smart Start of Mecklenburg County, zerotofive.org is a comprehensive Internet resource for up-to-date information about young children’s health, development, and services.
The NC Division of Child Development, which offers a list of day care centers, is available at ncchildcaresearch.dhhs.state.nc.us/search.asp