​

​

​

We work closely with students and families to assist them during the high school application and admission process.  Thanks to the hard work of our students, parents, and  staff, KIPP Charlotte alumni have attended some of the finest public and public charter schools, magnet, highly competitive independent day and boarding schools in the country.

​

​

High School Placement Process

​

Overview

1. Students apply to high schools in the fall of their 8th grade year.​

 

1. Schools are either public or private.  Public schools are free. Private schools charge tuition.

 

Types of public schools are:

• Traditional District (depending on address; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Cabarrus County Schools, Rock Hill School District, etc.)

• Magnet (special schools that you apply to through the CMS lottery- Philip O. Berry, West Charlotte,  Northwest School of the Arts, etc.)

• Charter (non-district schools you apply to directly- Lake Norman Charter, Charlotte Secondary, etc.)

​

Types of private schools are:

Catholic/Parochial – schools with religious affiliations (Charlotte Catholic, Trinity Episcopal)

• Day – students live at home while attending school (Providence Day, Country Day)

• Boarding – students live on the school campus (Deerfield Academy)

• Independent School – a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing.

​

Selecting a School

Ideally, most of your research about schools should be done before 8th grade starts.  Soon after 8th grade begins, new student enrollment will start in October at CMS and other schools.

 

You should start by looking at the websites of any school that interests you.  Read everything they have to say.  Remember, all schools offer excellent academic programs, and the same basics.  Look for what makes each school special.  By the beginning of 8th grade, you should have a good idea of where you would like to apply.

                                                                                                          

As you think about schools, review your grades, test scores, attendance, and paycheck average. Be realistic about what are the best choices for you.  Do not base your                 choice wholeheartedly on where friends are going.

​

Questions for Reflection

What kind of high school (public, private, charter, etc.) do you think you would like to attend?  Why?

 

What are your greatest strengths as a student and high school applicant?

 

What do you most need to improve in order to reach your goals?  How will you do that?​

 

What do you want for your future?  (High School and beyond)

 

Are there any particular high schools that you are interested in attending?  Why?

 

What are your interests outside of school?

 

What are some activities you would like to try?

​

 

Enrollment:                           

​

EVERY 8TH GRADE KIPPster WHO LIVES IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY SHOULD ENROLL IN CMS DURING THE NEW STUDENT ENROLLMENT PERIOD IN OCTOBER

​

​

Enrollment in your CMS home school for the upcoming (9th grade) year will allow your student to apply for a magnet school during the first magnet lottery before all the best seats are gone. Even if you plan to have your student attend a charter or private school, we recommend this important step.  Getting into those schools is not guaranteed.   Applying to CMS will insure you student has a home school next fall.  Check out the HSP Button Bar for Enrollment Instructions and other important information.

​

After you enroll, watch your mailbox. Your home school assignment will be sent to you along with the PIN you will need to complete your magnet application.  Please keep up with your PIN.  KIPP Forward will not be able to help you retrieve it.

​

After you apply watch your mailbox. Lottery notification letters for Round 1 Choice Lottery arrive in homes around February

​

Important Points To Remember When Applying to Highly Competitive Schools

​​

• Just because you apply to a school/program doesn’t mean you MUST attend.  It is better to keep all of your options open in the beginning- you can always turn down an offer, but once a deadline has passed, that door will be closed to you.  Remember, you don’t need to make any decisions about where to go until March.

 

• Whenever you are around school representatives, consider it an interview.  Even if you are just attending an open house, or chatting with other students at a fair, they are thinking about you as a potential candidate for their school, and looking at how you represent yourself.

 

• The more involved the family is, the more interested the school feels you are.

 

• You want every single thing you turn in to each school to be your absolute best work.  We’ll start early to ensure you have the opportunity to perfect your materials.

 

• You will get into high schools based on your academic record and the quality of your application.  Schools can (and will) only select students that they think are most deserving of a spot at their school. 

​

​

 

​