Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Fast Facts
Start with CMS!
2nd largest district in N.C.
and 16th largest in the nation
and 16th largest in the nation
Approximately 140,000 students
(20-day count), representing:
158
Countries
of Origin
201
Native
Languages
Student Diversity
- 33.8% Black
- 31.5% Hispanic
- 23.6% White
- 7% Asian
- 3.8% Multicultural
- <1% American Indian
- <1% Pacific Islander
115,000 meals
served daily, including free breakfast at all schools
Free breakfast and lunches at
115 schools
185 Schools
Organized by 11 Performance Areas
- 101 Elementary Schools
- 16 K–8 Schools
- 29 Middle Schools
- 2 Middle/High Schools
- 33 High Schools
- 4 Alternative Schools
Largest School Transportation
system in North Carolina
71,769
students transported
99,500
miles per day
25,500
bus stops daily
17,611,500
miles a year
Our 2024 – 29 Strategic Plan is designed to:
- Meet our goals set by the Board for improved literacy, math skills, and post-secondary readiness to be enrolled, enlisted, or employed.
- Adhere to guardrails mandated by the Board to maintain equity, safety, well-being, and quality teachers.
- Advance our 4 pillars of excellence: Academic, People, Operational, and Engagement.
CMS sets the standard with innovative programs and options that empower educators and nurture every student in a safe, inspiring learning environment.
CMS Teaching Residency
Provides a path for teachers to earn a certification while teaching; more than 300 teachers are currently enrolled in the program with more on a waiting list.
Diverse Educational Programs
A myriad of school choice options from IB, computer science, aviation, and the arts, to STEM, world languages, Montessori, and early colleges.
Career & Technical Education
Offers 16 Career Clusters with 70+ course pathways leading to endless career possibilities for students.
Dedicated CMS Police Department
Featuring 200+ security team members strictly committed to the safety of our students and staff.
2025–26 Operating Budget
$1,938,748,587
($1.9 Billion)
Funding Sources
- 55.8% State
- 34.4% Local
- 6.1% Federal
- 3.7% Other
Funding Uses
- 78.2% Salaries & Benefits
- 11.1% Purchased Services
- 5.4% Supplies & Materials
- 4.9% Charter School Pass Through
- 0.4% Furniture and Equipment