​Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is privileged to serve more than 148,000 students. Our students are what matters most, and we want every one of them to graduate with the 21st-century skills that will prepare them for post-secondary success.

Our students come from 183 different countries and speak 197 native languages. Each one of our students has individual needs, learning styles and aspirations. To meet these needs and increase student success, our district has 174 schools with a broad spectrum of academic programs. We have nine magnet programs and 47 schools that are either full or partial magnets. Our district also has 10 specialized Career and Technical Education themes, six early and middle college schools, 35 schools with Advanced Placement courses and 16 schools that offer the rigorous International Baccalaureate program.

Equity is a top priority for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. We want to provide access to opportunity for every student. This means students must complete a guaranteed, viable curriculum in high school. A curriculum focused on equity and culture. A curriculum that allows students to see themselves in it. A curriculum based on great teaching. And a curriculum that is available with the same level of rigor and range in every high school.

In the 2017-2018 year, our overall results on state tests were essentially flat, with advances in college- and career-ready science scores, and declines in literacy scores. However, three-fourths (75.1 percent) of the district’s schools met or exceeded growth expectations, compared to 72.6 percent a year earlier. And our English Learners (EL) showed strong progress, with significant increases in the EL graduation rate, reading in grades three through eight and in science for grades five and eight.

So we are not yet where we want to be and where we need to be. But we have a strategic plan that is simple, thoughtful and points the way to specific actions for CMS. We are doing the right things now to make our schools better.

Our focus on improving proficiency in reading and science will continue, as will our efforts to establish a viable, guaranteed curriculum and to accelerate overall school performance. We are also committed to making every school a safe, welcoming environment where students can learn and grow.

We want to do everything we can to help our young people realize their potential. Test scores are one tool to help us improve our efforts. But we are also mindful that behind those numbers are students and teachers working hard every day. We will continue to strengthen our schools so that every student has the opportunity for success.