Highland Mill Montessori

www.cmsk12.org/highlandmillES

341 Students

Elementary School Pre-K - 6th

School Overview

Highland Mill Montessori, located in the Plaza Midwood area of Charlotte, North Carolina, is a unique public magnet school within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) system. Unlike traditional elementary schools, it utilizes the Montessori method, which emphasizes self-directed activity, hands-on learning, and collaborative play in multi-age classrooms. This educational philosophy encourages students to develop independence and a love for learning by allowing them to progress at their own pace while working with specialized, tactile materials.

The school serves a diverse student body from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, fostering an environment that values community, social responsibility, and individual development. Because it operates as a magnet school, Highland Mill attracts families from across the district who are seeking an alternative to the standard pedagogical approach. By blending rigorous academic standards with the Montessori focus on the "whole child," the school aims to prepare students not just for middle school, but for a lifelong journey of curiosity and critical thinking.

341

Total Students

22.9

Full-Time Teachers

14.9

Student/Teacher Ratio

22.0%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Highland Mill Montessori
Demographic	Student Count
White	155
Hispanic	32
Black	113
Asian	13
Two or More	28

White
155 (45.5%)
Black
113 (33.1%)
Hispanic
32 (9.4%)
Two or More
28 (8.2%)
Asian
13 (3.8%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Phone:	(980)343-5525
Website:	http://www.cmsk12.org/highlandmillES
Grade Range:	Pre-K - 6th
Total Students:	341
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	22.9
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	14.9
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch:	67
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	8

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Pre-Kindergarten 50

Kindergarten 52

Grade 1 49

Grade 2 46

Grade 3 44

Grade 4 41

Grade 5 36

Grade 6 23

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for Highland Mill Montessori
Grade	Student Count
Pre-Kindergarten	50
Kindergarten	52
Grade 1	49
Grade 2	46
Grade 3	44
Grade 4	41
Grade 5	36
Grade 6	23

Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for Highland Mill Montessori
Gender	Student Count	Percentage
Female	169	49.6%
Male	172	50.4%

Nearby Elementary Schools (Within 10 Miles)