School Overview
Northwest School of the Arts (NWSA), located in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a specialized magnet school within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) district that serves students in grades 6 through 12. Distinguished by its rigorous dual-focus approach, the school integrates a comprehensive academic curriculum with intensive pre-professional training in the visual and performing arts. Students at NWSA have the opportunity to specialize in various disciplines, including dance, music, theater, and visual arts, allowing them to hone their creative talents alongside their core studies.

As a premier destination for artistically gifted students in the region, Northwest School of the Arts fosters a collaborative and supportive environment that emphasizes both intellectual development and artistic excellence. The school’s curriculum is designed to prepare students for higher education and professional careers in the arts, often resulting in high graduation rates and significant success in collegiate arts programs. By blending traditional academics with performance-based learning, the school creates a unique educational experience that encourages students to excel as both scholars and creative innovators.
993
Total Students
62.2
Full-Time Teachers
16.0
Student/Teacher Ratio
38.1%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Northwest School of the Arts
Demographic Student Count
White323
Hispanic147
Black432
Asian12
Two or More73
American Indian6
  • Black
    432 (43.5%)
  • White
    323 (32.5%)
  • Hispanic
    147 (14.8%)
  • Two or More
    73 (7.4%)
  • Asian
    12 (1.2%)
  • American Indian
    6 (0.6%)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: High 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)343-5500
Website: http://www.cmsk12.org/northwestHS
Grade Range: 6th - 12th
Total Students: 993
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 62.2
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 16.0
NSLP Participation:1 Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch: 344
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 34
Grades Taught
Grade 6 122
Grade 7 145
Grade 8 153
Grade 9 140
Grade 10 143
Grade 11 152
Grade 12 138

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for Northwest School of the Arts
Grade Student Count
Grade 6122
Grade 7145
Grade 8153
Grade 9140
Grade 10143
Grade 11152
Grade 12138
Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for Northwest School of the Arts
Gender Student Count Percentage
Female72973.4%
Male26426.6%
Nearby High Schools (Within 10 Miles)