Charlotte Catholic High School
Charlotte Catholic High School, also known as Catholic, is a private high school located within the Carmel neighborhood of Charlotte. Founded in 1955, the school services grades 9-12 and is known for its excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts. Several notable alumni walked the halls of Charlotte Catholic including NFL running back Elijah Hood, politician and former White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, and former tennis pro Laura DuPont. Catholic is also a diocesean school for the Mecklenburg Area Catholic School system (MACS) and has several courses discussing theology. The school prides itself on its educational prestige and its students often go on to attend accredited universities following graduation. The school is represented by the colors light blue, white, and red, and its mascot is the Cougars.
About the School
Address: 7702 Pineville-Matthews Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226
Grades Serviced: 9-12
Number of Students: 1194
Number of Faculty: 92
Student / Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Tuition per Semester: $18,881 for Non-Catholics, $13.194 for practicing Catholics
Location
Charlotte Catholic is located within the Carmel neighborhood of south Charlotte. Sandwiched between the communities of Pineville and Olde Providence South, the area is home to several residential subdivisions and major commercial centers. Locals are financially well off, with an average Household Income of $111,961 and property values in the $575k range for the 28226 Zip. This neighborhood is also close to Carolina Place Mall as well as the Atrium Health Pineville Hospital. Several suburban offices also dot the surrounding area. McMullen and McAlpine Creek have greenway access nearby and provide residents with green space access and running trails. Carmel is accessed primarily via Pineville-Matthews Rd, Johnston Rd, and Carmel Rd. These provide quick access to Matthews, Uptown, and Southpark respectively.
Academics
Charlotte Catholic services grades 9-12 and is considered a fantastic school as far as academics go for the Charlotte area. CD reports a 100% graduation rate among its seniors and almost all go on to attend 4-year higher education programs. These statistics put the school well above the average North Carolina public school, where on average 86% of seniors received their diplomas. The school also offers 22 Advanced Placement (AP)/International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, 4 world languages, and several arts courses. As of 2023, there are 92 teachers at Charlotte Catholic, resulting in the school having a Student / Teacher Ratio of 13-1.
Test Scores
Average SAT Test Scores: 2022-2023
Charlotte Catholic students were well prepared for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) in 2023. According to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NC DPI) and other private school reporting, Catholic students outperformed their Charlotte public school counterparts as well as the State and National average. They did however fall slightly below their fellow Charlotte Private Schools. Regardless, this information still points to the school excelling in preparing students for higher education. The SAT participation rate for the school was 100%.
Average ACT Test Scores: 2022-2023
Charlotte Catholic students were also well prepared for the Aptitude and Critical Thinking test (ACT). Average 2023 composite scores outperformed average CMS, State, and National high school scores by at least 9 points. Students did lag behind their fellow Charlotte private schools by 1 point (29).
Athletics
Charlotte Catholic participates in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) and has seen much success at the state level. The school has won numerous state championships across different sports since its founding. One streak to note was the women's swim team which won 14 consecutive state championships from 2002-2015. The training and sports facilities at Catholic are in good condition, with the school having a large gymnasium, a weight room, rugby center, and a large outdoor stadium for field sports.
Arts
Charlotte Catholic has several different subjects in which students can grow through the arts. These include classes in chorus, band, dance, photography, theater, and of course visual arts. During the year the choir and band put on a total of 4 concerts (2 each) in which they perform for live audiences, typically in the indoor gymnasium. Students' visual arts projects are also often displayed on the walls of the school in a school-wide art gallery. The marching band has previously visited Ireland and Orlando, winning accolades in each city. Catholic has an award-winning history in its arts programs, and that tradition grows with each new enrolling class.
