South Mecklenburg High School

8900 Park Rd
Charlotte, NC 28210
(School attendance zone shown in map)
9/
10
Top 20%
Serving 3,259 students in grades 9-12, South Mecklenburg High School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%) .
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 71% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 42%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 66% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 47%).
The student:teacher ratio of 20:1 is higher than the North Carolina state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 55% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Quick Stats (2024)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 3,259 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 20:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 70%
  • : 88% (Top 50% in NC)
  • : Top 20%
  • : 71% (Top 20%)
  • : 66% (Top 20%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

South Mecklenburg High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:

School Overview

South Mecklenburg High School's student population of 3,259 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 167 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
3,259 students
This chart display total students of South Mecklenburg High School by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Gender %
This chart display gender of South Mecklenburg High School
Total Classroom Teachers
167 teachers
This chart display the total teachers of South Mecklenburg High School by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart display the students of South Mecklenburg High School by grade.

School Rankings

South Mecklenburg High School ranks within the top 20% of all 2,568 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of South Mecklenburg High School is 0.69, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Definition of Terms 2021-2022 School Year Data
This School
State Level (NC)
#280 out of 2568 schools
(Top 20%)
This chart display the overall school rank of South Mecklenburg High School, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
71%
42%
This chart display the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of South Mecklenburg High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
66%
47%
This chart display the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of South Mecklenburg High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
20:1
14:1
This chart display the student teacher ratio of South Mecklenburg High School and the public school average student teacher ratio of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
3%
4%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in South Mecklenburg High School and the percentage of Asian public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Hispanic
41%
20%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in South Mecklenburg High School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Black
23%
25%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in South Mecklenburg High School and the percentage of Black public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
White
30%
45%
This chart display the percentage of White students in South Mecklenburg High School and the percentage of White public school students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
3%
5%
This chart display the percentage of students of two or more races in South Mecklenburg High School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in South Mecklenburg High School.
This chart display the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in NC.
0.69
This chart display the diversity score of South Mecklenburg High School and the public school average diversity score of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
88%
85%
This chart display graduation rate of South Mecklenburg High School and public school graduation rate of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
22%
47%
This chart display the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in South Mecklenburg High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (20-21)
2%
3%
This chart display the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in South Mecklenburg High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Source: 2021-2022 (latest school year available) National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is South Mecklenburg High School's ranking?
South Mecklenburg High School is ranked #280 out of 2,568 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina.
What schools are South Mecklenburg High School often compared to?
South Mecklenburg High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Myers Park High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
71% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 42% NC state average), while 66% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 47% NC state average).
What is the graduation rate of South Mecklenburg High School?
The graduation rate of South Mecklenburg High School is 88%, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 85%.
How many students attend South Mecklenburg High School?
3,259 students attend South Mecklenburg High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
41% of South Mecklenburg High School students are Hispanic, 30% of students are White, 23% of students are Black, 3% of students are Asian, and 3% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of South Mecklenburg High School?
South Mecklenburg High School has a student ration of 20:1, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 14:1.
What grades does South Mecklenburg High School offer ?
South Mecklenburg High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is South Mecklenburg High School part of?
South Mecklenburg High School is part of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools School District.

School Reviews

5   1/3/2014
Presently I am living out of the school district due to my employment, but will be returning this year. I have had two stepchildren and two children to graduate from SMH. The last to graduate had Dr. Furr as her principal and cited how the school drastically changed; others to date speak of inequality among students and poor school atmosphere. Should I seek somewhere else? I hesitantly recommend the school since I don't have all the facts.
- Posted by Parent - Wegam

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 3,259 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 20:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 70%
  • : 88% (Top 50%)
  • : Top 20%
  • : 71% (Top 20%)
  • : 66% (Top 20%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

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