• Comprehensive Review - Phase 1

  • Phase I Timeline

     

     

    February - May

    Identified and began working with partners to lay groundwork for Comprehensive Review

     

    June 3 - July 30

    Community Engagement Meetings
    - Collecting Feedback to Inform the Superintendent’s Recommendation

     

    August 5 - August 22

    Open House Community Engagement Meetings
    - Sharing the Proposed Project Information with the Community

     

    August 13 - August 27

    Report to the Board of Education
    - Superintendent’s Recommendation for 2025-26 Projects & Boundaries

     

    September 10

    Public Hearing at the Board of Education Meeting
    - Community Feedback to Inform the Board’s Decision

     

    September 24

    Board of Education Vote

     

    September 25

    Phase 2 begins

     

  • September 24, 2024 - Board of Education Approved Items

    On September 24, 2024, the Board of Education voted to approve Phase 1 of the Comprehensive Review. Our school will be impacted by the plan outlined in Project #1: Creative Arts Expansion. Project #1 addresses the February 2023 Board Approved Capital Improvement Plan and the successfully passed November 2023 Bond Referendum. The following recommendations will be implemented beginning with the 2025-26 school year.

    University Park Creative Arts (UPCA) will become a full-choice elementary arts magnet program serving students in grades K - 5. Students currently attending UPCA will be given the opportunity to remain through the lottery process. Our staff will work with families in this process.

    Project 1: Creative Arts Expansion
    🎨 Project 1: Creative Arts Expansion

    First Ward Creative Arts will become a full-choice arts middle school serving students in grades 6 - 8.

    • Current 6th - 7th grade students attending Northwest School of the Arts will attend First Ward Creative Arts Middle School.
    • Rising 6th grade students will be accepted through the lottery process to attend First Ward Creative Arts Middle School.

    Northwest School of the Arts will become a full-choice high school arts magnet program serving students in grades 9 - 12.

    • Current 8th grade students will remain at Northwest School of the Arts next year as freshmen.

    New Neighborhood Boundary

    University Park Creative Arts and First Ward Creative Arts' newly assigned neighborhood attendance boundary will be adjusted to Bruns Avenue Elementary School. Students will be able to participate in the STEM program at Bruns Elementary.

    Project 2: Montessori Program Expansion
    📚 Project 2: Montessori Program Expansion

    The Board of Education voted to approve Phase 1 of the Comprehensive Review. As you are aware, your school is impacted by the plan outlined in Project #2: The Montessori Program Expansion. Project #2 addresses the February 2023 Board Approved Capital Improvement Plan and the successfully passed November 2023 Bond Referendum.

    The goal of this project is to move the existing secondary Montessori program at JT Williams to the existing Marie G. Davis facility. As you know, this will require a new assignment for students in grades K-8. Students who live within the ⅓ mile radius will be able to opt-in to the secondary Montessori program or attend their homeschool assignment.

    The Board Decisions for Project #2

    • The Montessori program currently located at J.T. Williams Secondary Montessori will relocate to the Marie G. Davis facility at the time the Bond-funded school located on Park Rd. is opened, which is scheduled for 2026-2027. Current J.T. Williams Secondary Montessori students will remain at their current site for the 2025-2026 school year.
    • There was no vote regarding the reassignment of students who are currently assigned to Marie G. Davis. With the adjusted timeline for J.T. Williams, there are other considerations that will be examined in future phases of the comprehensive review.
    Project 3A: Improved School Buildings & Facilities Utilization
    🏫 Project 3A: Improved School Buildings & Facilities Utilization

    The Board of Education voted to approve Phase 1 of the Comprehensive Review. As you are aware, your school was included within the planning process for Project #3: Improved School Buildings & Facilities Utilization. Project 3 addresses school building conditions and facilities utilization.

    Within Project 3, Project #3A will address the current state of Marie G. Davis and Ranson IB Middle Schools. The Board decisions for Project #3A are as follows:

    • Marie G. Davis will remain open as a school until a site has been determined for a new location, and J.T. Williams will remain open as a school until a site has been determined for a new location.
    • Ranson IB Middle School will remain open until a decision has been made regarding the transfer of the students to another location.

  • As a reminder, these changes will go into effect at the start of next school year, 2025-2026. We are committed to keeping you informed and will continue communicating specific next steps that impact your student. The expansion of the arts project within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is an exciting change that will broaden opportunities for students and increase access to arts programs.

    If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact the office of Student Programs, Planning, and Placement at the following email address: comprehensivereview@cms.k12.nc.us or by calling (980) 343-5335