CMS trends upward with new statewide school performance results

CHARLOTTE — For the first time, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools had more campuses removed from the state’s low-performing list than it had added.

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction on Wednesday released new data showing testing performance at every school in the state.

In CMS, 19 schools were removed from the low-performing list compared to last year, however, 17 schools were added. CMS says 33 schools improved their letter grade from the 2022-2023 school year.

CMS says gaps still persist along lines of race, ethnicity and the economically disadvantaged.

But CMS pointed to the comeback story at Paw Creek Elementary School as evidence that those gaps can be narrowed, if not one day eliminated.

“This school popped up, everyone raved about it, everyone had good things to say about it, despite what the previous ratings said,” said Shannon Tamez, a parent.

CMS highlighted Paw Creek -- just three years ago, this was a “D” school on the state’s low-performing list. Last school year, students exceeded growth projections, and the school earned a “B.”

“Every single teacher has a coach,” Principal Danielle Belton told Channel 9 Education Reporter Jonathan Lowe.

More than 83% of CMS schools -- 146, to be exact -- met or exceeded growth last school year. There was also a 1.4% increase in the number of students who graduated.

“We’re nowhere near where we need to be, but we are making progress,” said CMS Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill.

Fifty-six CMS schools received a “D” or “F” grade from the state, designating them as low-performing.

Hill says the district is set up to attend to the neds of all schools and all students.

“Where are those schools that might be teetering on the edge, and what supports can we put in place for those schools?” Hill said.

Parents say they’re just happy their child and the district appear to be moving in the right direction.

“My second-grader, any book I can give him almost, he can read just about every word in there,” Tamez said.

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(WATCH: CMS students return to the classroom)

CMS students return to the classroom

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