South Mecklenburg High
Charlotte, NC 28210
Phone: (980) 343-3600
Fax: (980) 343-3607
District: Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District
GreatSchools Rating
public • Grades 9,10,11,12 • 2417 students
South Mecklenburg High, a public school located in Charlotte, NC, serves grades 9-12 in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 5 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.
South Mecklenburg High is a public school located in Charlotte, NC. 2417 students attend South Mecklenburg High.
School Ratings
| Category | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Test Scores | 5/10 | The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 North Carolina End-of-Course Tests data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, and using 2025 North Carolina End-of-Grade Tests data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. |
| College Readiness | 5/10 | The College Readiness Rating uses this high school's graduation rates, college entrance exam participation and performance, or AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment participation to determine how well schools are preparing students for success in college and beyond. The College Readiness Rating was created using the following data from the 2021 Civil Rights Data Collection: percentage of students enrolled in IB, AP or Dual Enrollment classes in grades 9-12, using 2025 4-year high school graduation rate data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, using 2025 Average ACT score data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, using 2025 ACT percent college ready data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, and using 2025 demographic data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. |
| Student Growth | 5/10 | The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2024 Student growth data from North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. |
Posted: March 29, 2023
Posted: March 29, 2023
Posted: March 29, 2023
Posted: March 29, 2023
Posted: March 29, 2023
Posted: March 29, 2023
Posted: March 29, 2023
Posted: March 29, 2023
My daughter spent 4 years here and loved it. (She is now at UNC Chapel Hill). Took Advance Placement classes all 4 years, enjoyed dances & sporting events, and had some fantastic teachers. Buildings are independent of each other which allows kids to get outside during class. Have been impressed by leadership during the covid era and after.
My son is attending South Meck now and is currently a sophomore. While he is not nearly as academic as my daughter, his teachers have been great at communicating with me regarding his progress in class.
The population at South is very diverse and the students get along very well. The Language magnet brings some great language teachers to the school as well. In a city of more than a dozen high school, we are very happy at South- My kids are proud to be Sabres!
Posted: May 4, 2022
Posted: May 4, 2022
Posted: May 4, 2022
Posted: May 4, 2022
Posted: May 4, 2022
Posted: May 4, 2022
Posted: May 4, 2022
Posted: May 4, 2022
I attend the school, as a student this school is nice most teachers are nice they truly care about you. I had a few teachers check up on me even after I was done with their class. The school tries to motivate students to make the best of high school. The school its self has a lot of opportunities students just need to look. And of course there are fights theres a little of everything in the school just like out there in the world. As long as students stick to the right group of students everything will be okay.
Posted: December 14, 2021
Posted: December 14, 2021
Posted: December 14, 2021
Posted: December 14, 2021
Posted: December 14, 2021
Terrible school. People have guns and ITs chaos.
Posted: December 14, 2021
Posted: December 14, 2021
Posted: December 14, 2021
Posted: May 23, 2019
Posted: May 23, 2019
Posted: May 23, 2019
Posted: May 23, 2019
This school has been ok. I actually heard the principal say that "not everybody is meant to go to college". I am not sure what to make of this statement. If students aren't pushed or motivated to perform at a high level academically how will they know if they're college material? Our family's experience has been average at best and my child in Honors classes has to be in class with kids that are 2-3 grades above them! Not to mention the constant fights that break out in the cafeteria. I feel that the school has other issues it has to deal with and therefore can't quite challenge or stretch the high performing students who may end up being bored.
Posted: May 23, 2019
Posted: May 23, 2019
Posted: May 23, 2019
Posted: January 2, 2019
There is a diverse range of class levels. Just not sure how much in depth the faculty has been trained to recognize any minor learning disabilities.
Posted: January 2, 2019
No experience with it that I am aware of.
Posted: January 2, 2019
Homework given was challenging and relative to most of the subjects. Always seemed like there were wasted days towards the end of each semester.
Posted: January 2, 2019
Teachers care if the kids care. My student had some good adult-student relationships in the classes in which he showed interest and passion.
Posted: January 2, 2019
Posted: January 2, 2019
Academic leadership and support were fine. Athletic support was a little lacking. My student was almost a 4.8 GPA student and played sports. We experienced both sides. Overall I did feel stronger leadership at South Meck than what I gathered from other parents at other schools.
Posted: January 2, 2019
Great! Close to 3000 students from all walks of life and levels of income. Exposed our student to the real world. Top level athletics and some challenging courses (AP & Honors) helped propel him in the right direction when making a college selection.
Posted: March 8, 2018
Posted: March 8, 2018
Posted: March 8, 2018
I went to South Meck in the late 90's...and had such a good experience, that as a parent, I bought within the school zone so my kids could go too.
The teachers really care about the students there. I had so many teachers that touched my life in a positive way, and I know they did for other students as well. And I actually learned. I had one science teacher near retirement, and a math teacher who was on tenure, but out of over 30 teachers that's a pretty good ratio.
There were many extracurricular activities available. I participated in (the championship-award-winning) marching band, Pep Band, the Explorers club, National Honor Society, German Honor Society, and DOT (Devoting Our Time) Club.
The electives offered were great - Auto shop, Tech classes, I took Flexography and Horticulture - as well as the typical art and language courses.
After South Meck, I went to the University of North Carolina School of Arts and received a Bachelors in Fine Arts in Filmmaking.
I am excited for my children to get to have the same great educational experience I did!
Posted: March 8, 2018
Posted: March 8, 2018
Posted: March 8, 2018
Posted: March 8, 2018
Posted: March 8, 2018
Posted: March 8, 2018
Posted: March 8, 2018
Posted: March 8, 2018
Posted: March 8, 2018
Posted: March 8, 2018
Posted: March 8, 2018
We have loved SM. My daughter had challenging courses and teachers who cared about her studies and about her as a person. I loved that this is a diverse school and represents the real world. She and my son had many friends from many different backgrounds. My daughter was accepted into all of the schools she applied to, (included top notch schools). And as a sophomore in college she has made the deans list. She has felt very prepared for a rigorous curriculum. My son is currently a sophomore at SM, and is experiencing the same. Both were involved in sports and extra curricular activities that also added to their positive experience. Would recommend to anyone new to the area.
Posted: March 8, 2018
Posted: March 8, 2018
Posted: March 8, 2018
I have 2 very different children who both had great experiences in this school. They have both moved on to competitive colleges and have found that they were very well prepared.
Posted: March 8, 2018
Posted: March 8, 2018
Posted: March 8, 2018
Posted: March 8, 2018
Posted: January 12, 2017
Homework? If you don't do it, and don't turn it in it doesn't count against you. So, why assign it?
Posted: January 12, 2017
No child left behind. Certainly, when no child can fail, in any class. All zeros in a class, no problem. South Meck will pass you. Just show up and breathe. Don't want to do homework, well you don't really have to. Rules? What are those? If you want a school where nothing is enforced except inconsistency then this is the school for you. If you have zero ambition in life South Meck can help enforce that. We don't want anyone to be a productive member of society. Matter of fact, we are the antithesis of productive. We take all the pressure and stress out of learning, anything.
Posted: October 27, 2016
Posted: October 27, 2016
Posted: October 27, 2016
Posted: October 27, 2016
Posted: October 27, 2016
Posted: October 27, 2016
Posted: October 27, 2016
My son is so quiet, shy and reserved. It takes him so long to open up, so I was so very worried about where he would go to high school. I am so blessed to have Southmeck. He loves his school, and I cannot begin how safe I feel with my son here. He's even joined some clubs, and the staff is sooooo FRIENDLY!!!
Posted: June 3, 2014
I'm a student at south meck and i love it. the principale is great and so are many of the teachers. South Meck has been a safe and great learning experience for so far.
Posted: May 19, 2014
South Mecklenburg is diverse and safe. My children have plenty of opportunities for honors and AP courses, extra curricular activities including band, theater, chorus, many clubs and service organizations. This is not a school of rich families, but it is full of good, hard-working students who care about their school and their community.
Posted: April 27, 2014
South Mecklenburg High School was just rated by US News & World Report as the 7th best school in North Carolina and the 2nd best school in Charlotte! -- That ranking is well deserved. The school has evolved into a dynamic, multi cultural comprehensive high school with academics suited for all levels of ability. For the strongest students, the access to Advance Placement and challenging course material is unmatched. (Many of the neighboring high schools limit students ability to take AP courses.) At South Meck, the school is Student-Centered, meaning that the faculty and administration work with students and their families to craft an individualized program that is best suited for that student. In fact, South Meck is highly flexible and will work with students to make sure they have the most appropriate and challenging courses, even if that means making adjustments to a students schedule. (Something unheard of at Providence High School!) Perhaps best of all, the school's multicultural student body gives students an opportunity to live and learn in a real world environment, amongst people from different backgrounds and upbringings -- a truly wonderful thing!
Posted: April 27, 2014
South Meck has quietly evolved into an amazing school and has some important advantages over other high schools in the area. e.g. In addition to a huge number of advance placement and honors courses, South Meck has a number of specialized/unique programs including: 1) A world lang. magnet, 2) Project Lead the Way accredited courses in engineering and bio med, 3) Access to ALL NCVPS online classes 4) the new IDEA Academy which emphasizes Innovation, Design, Engineering and Art studies. Best of all, the staff/teachers/administration are flexible and work with parents and students to ensure that students get the courses that best fit their needs. (Even if that means making a change to a students schedule!)
Posted: April 27, 2014
This school is great. It's teachers are really nice and caring. The teachers try there best for every student to understand.
Posted: March 5, 2014
I love SMHS. My daughter attended this school and graduated in 2013. She had a packed load being fully involved at this school. The Principal is the BEST!!! Dr. Furr is a wonderful communicator. She is friendly and approachable. She ensures that there is clarity concerning "all things South Meck". The phone messages keep parents informed about happenings at the school. The entire staff, teachers, support, and office workers are concerned about the well being of the students. There is so much offered for every student to get involved. With the high numbers it would seem easy to get lost in the crowd. It's not, because at SMHS, they are family. I would definitely recommend this school to anyone moving to Charlotte, NC
Posted: May 22, 2013
I was concerned about this high school when we moved to South Charlotte because it was rated lower than the other, newer schools near us, but I have to say that both my children have done well and the parental involvement (PTA), the principal and the quality of the teachers has been outstanding! No complaints here. Great school comparable to any in the area.
Reviews provided by GreatSchools™
| # | Name | Type | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Regent Park | Neighborhood/Subdivision | Fort Mill | SC | 4.1 mi |
| # | Name | City | State | Overall Rating | Distance |
|---|
| Base | Distance |
|---|---|
| Charlotte Air National Guard | 8.3 mi. |
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