Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) is located in the Charlotte region and provides academic instruction, rigor and support each school day to more than 148,000 K-12 students in 176 schools throughout the cities and towns of Mecklenburg County. CMS believes setting high standards for all students creates a greater opportunity for future success – in our communities, within the region and across our diverse and global society. Each day, CMS students are prepared to be leaders in a technologically savvy and globally competitive world.

One of the great things about working and living in Charlotte is that bright sun and clear skies are common in the summer. Spring and fall allow for sporting events, outdoor dining, walks on our extensive greenway system, museum hopping in the downtown area or trips to Carowinds or the National Whitewater Center. Snow is infrequent in the winter, but Charlotte is just two hours away from snow skiing resorts in the NC Mountains. Charlotte is the largest and most accessible city between Washington, D.C., and Dallas, Texas. Due to its mid-Atlantic location, getting to Charlotte is easy from anywhere in the country or the world, hence its nickname "the International Gateway to the South."

CMS is a leading district in integrating digital learning and teaching by having a one-to-one student technology ratio.  We offer an ebook platform, Sora, which provides thousands of academic, professional and leisure ebooks at your fingertips. CMS utilizes ONE Access, which allows use of all Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library’s online resources. Additionally, our students and teachers can focus on Computer Science and Chemistry learning through Mindcraft Education Edition.

CMS supports new teachers in their first three years of career experience through mentoring programs, specialized professional development opportunities, peer coaching and other programs that help new teachers and their students succeed. CMS offers highly-effective teachers and employees a spectrum of opportunities and pathways to advance in their careers. Professional training opportunities, dedicated digital and in-person development programs and innovative individual/team supports create a career-building foundation for CMS employees who want to boost their professional level of achievement while serving our students.

Magnet Schools of America Certification, Magnet Schools of Excellence, Magnet Schools of Distinction – MSA’s National Merit Awards program honors the top magnet schools in the U.S. These awards recognize magnet schools that demonstrate commitment to high academic standards, curriculum innovation, successful desegregation and diversity efforts, and consistent delivery of high quality educational services to all stakeholders.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education is committed to a world-class school system which supports educational excellence regardless of race, gender, national origin, different abilities, or religion. Equitable academic programs and services which respond to the needs of a diverse student population and prepare all students for a changing workplace and pluralistic society are essential.  

The CMS Board of Education and administration is committed to providing equal access to excellent educational opportunities for all students in all schools. CMS staff continuously looks for ways to enhance the district’s ability foster an environment that is welcoming and engaging for all people.

Our goal is to promote and inspire students and staff for participation and leadership in a pluralistic society. Workshops to enhance the capacity of staff to be effective in providing a high-quality education for all students are available. You can be part of a great group of individuals who are passionate about providing all of our students with an excellent educational opportunity.

Through our county supplement, we offer a more competitive salary than surrounding counties. CMS employees are also provided a range of healthcare and supplemental benefits, a 24/7 Employee Assistance Program (EAP), focused HR supports and an employee discount program to meet a variety of needs for individual CMS employees and their families. Offerings include two state health plan options, three dental and two vision plans to choose from. Employees can also put pre-tax money into Flexible Spending Accounts for both Health and Dependent Care. Employees can elect various life insurance coverages, as well as enroll in short term and long term disability. CMS also offers a state pension plan and other supplemental retirement plans, including 401(k), 403(b) and 457.

Charlotte Teacher Early College (CTEC) opened in August 2017 on the campus of UNC Charlotte to serve students interested in a career in education. The early college model is designed to provide opportunities for high school students to earn college credit, free of charge, during the five years in the program. We have open admission and seek to provide opportunities for first-generation college students, underrepresented minority groups and students in search of acceleration.