CHARLOTTE — An annual set of rankings aimed at determining the best schools for K-12 pupils to receive an education has been released for the 2021-22 year.
Niche, a Pittsburgh-based research and review site, produced the rankings, which includes data on 94,491 public schools, 2,489 private schools and 11,846 school districts nationwide. In addition to analyzing test scores and academic performance, Niche attempts to provide a more personal view of schools through its rankings. That means incorporating information such as student and parent ratings, data from sources like the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate teachers, resources and facilities, as well as opportunities for extracurricular activities.
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Niche did make one big change to its methodology this year with lowering its emphasis on SAT and ACT scores. It listed the following reasons for doing so: acknowledgement of socioeconomic and racial disparities perpetuated by standardized tests, challenges making appointments to test in person due to Covid-19 and an increasing number of institutions adopting test-optional policies.
The Charlotte Business Journal has sifted through the rankings to pull the top schools in the Charlotte area. Similar to last year, CBJ will round up the rankings in four installments: private schools, public elementary schools, public middle schools and public high schools.
Beginning with top private schools, Providence Day School took the top spot in the Charlotte area. It followed just Durham Academy as the second-best private K-12 school in North Carolina and ranked at No. 112 nationally. Coming in second locally was Charlotte Country Day School, followed by Charlotte Latin School.
Check out the top 20 schools in the Charlotte area, along with the grades they earned on various metrics, here.
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