F-1 Public · North Carolina
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
One of the most diverse districts in the country, with pupils of 160 nationalities, in a big Southern city — for those who come first and foremost for their studies and city life.
- F-1 visa
- High school diploma possible
- From age 14
- Year or semester
Charlotte-Mecklenburg fact sheet
Key facts
- Location
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Arrival airport
- Charlotte Douglas International (CLT)
- Size (pupils)
- 1,500 to 2,000 per high school
- Climate
- Temperatures from -0.5 °C to 32 °C
- High school diploma possible
- yes
- Semester possible
- yes
- Minimum ELTiS
- 220 (old scale)
- Age
- 14 to 18 years old
- School year 2027-2028
- $36,800
- Semester 2027-2028
- $22,450
- Checked on
- 18 October 2026
A week in Charlotte-Mecklenburg
In the morning, an Honors pre-calculus or anatomy class in a district that won the Broad Prize for Urban Education, the country's highest education award. Worth knowing before you choose: the high school sports teams are closed to F-1 pupils — people come here for the academic level. So in the afternoon it's marching band, the photography club, dance or DECA, the entrepreneurship club. At the weekend, Charlotte: the U.S. National Whitewater Center for thrills, Carowinds park, the Bechtler Museum or the Blumenthal for shows. A colourful city that is easy to explore, from -0.5 to 32 °C.
Three things you won't find anywhere else
- Pupils from 160 countries, in one of the most diverse districts in North Carolina.
- The Broad Prize for Urban Education, the country's most important education award.
- A big Southern city: rafting at the Whitewater Center, museums, shows.
Courses, sports and clubs in Charlotte-Mecklenburg
- 43 courses
- 13 sports
- 18 clubs
- Best-stocked subject: Arts (8 courses)
Courses, by subject
Mathematics
- Mathematics I-III (Honors)
- Pre-calculus (Honors)
- Advanced functions and modelling
- Calculus (AP)
- Statistics (AP)
Science
- Earth and environmental science — Honors · AP
- Biology (Honors)
- Chemistry (Honors)
- Anatomy and physiology (Honors)
- Forensic science (Honors)
- Genetics (Honors)
Humanities
- American history (Honors)
- World history (Honors, AP)
- Leadership perspectives
- Civics and economics (Honors)
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Human geography (AP)
English
- English I-IV (Honors)
- Creative writing
- Public speaking and debate
- Film and literature
- Journalism
- Literature and composition (AP)
Languages
- Spanish
- German
Arts
- Visual arts
- Theatre arts
- Technical theatre
- Web design
- Fashion merchandising
- Music theory
- Music appreciation
- Game art design
Options
- Project management
- Marketing
- Principles of business and finance
- Computer science
- Technical design
- Career management
- Hospitality and tourism
- Accounting
Sports, season by season
Autumn
- American football
- Soccer
- Cross-country
- Cheerleading
- Golf
- Tennis
- Volleyball
Winter
- Basketball
- Track and field
- Swimming and diving
- Wrestling
- Cheerleading
Spring
- Golf
- Baseball
- Track and field
- Tennis
- Softball
- Soccer
Clubs
- Marching band
- Orchestra
- Chorus
- Dance
- Yearbook
- Student government
- Photography
- DECA (entrepreneurship)
- National Honor Society
- Anti-bullying
- Poetry
- Theatre
- Art Club
- Astronomy society
- Book Club
- Future Business Leaders of America
- Film
- Computer science
Charlotte-Mecklenburg compared with other districts
Calculations based on the published prices of the districts on this page that show a package; same prices, same results.
| Package | Price | Rank | Difference from the median |
|---|---|---|---|
| School year 2027-2028 | $36,800 | no. 31 of 59 | 1% above the median ($36,550) |
| Semester 2027-2028 | $22,450 | no. 23 of 47 | 1% below the median ($22,750) |
- Compared with Virginia Beach: $2,300 less per year.
- The cheapest district on the list is Newcomb ($23,900): this district costs $12,900 more (54%).
Rank: from cheapest (no. 1) to most expensive, among the districts showing a price in the same currency. The median is the price in the middle of the list.
Frequently asked questions about Charlotte-Mecklenburg
How much does the school year cost in Charlotte-Mecklenburg?
$36,800 for the 2027-2028 year. This price includes tuition, the host family and local supervision.
How much does a semester cost in Charlotte-Mecklenburg?
$22,450 for one semester in 2027-2028, with the same services.
Is Charlotte-Mecklenburg expensive compared with other districts?
Around the average: ranked 31 from cheapest of our 59 districts, 1% above the median price ($36,550).
Can I go to Charlotte-Mecklenburg for just one semester?
Yes, Charlotte-Mecklenburg also accepts pupils for a single semester.
Can I earn the American diploma in Charlotte-Mecklenburg?
Yes, the American diploma is possible in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.
How old do I need to be to go to Charlotte-Mecklenburg?
Between 14 and 18 years old.
What level of English do I need for Charlotte-Mecklenburg?
An ELTiS score of 220. The ELTiS is the English test that American high schools ask international students to take.
Which airport do I fly into for Charlotte-Mecklenburg?
Via Charlotte Douglas International airport (CLT).
Sophie knows Charlotte as if she lived there.
The district's high schools, sports by season, the town, the climate, things to do at the weekend — and the same for the 58 other districts. Ask her, she compares for you.
Excellent sports and teaching facilities (but school sport is closed to F-1 pupils).
Daily life there
Thrill-seekers will love the U.S. National Whitewater Center and Carowinds park, the "thrill capital of the Southeast". For quieter outings, Charlotte has the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and the Blumenthal Performing Arts complex. The Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is among the country's "20 great gardens".
More districts to explore
- Virginia Beach Public SchoolsVirginia Beach, Virginia
- Rochester Community SchoolsRochester, Michigan
- Jeffco Public SchoolsGolden, Colorado
Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Charlotte: does it appeal to you?
Ask for a quote, or put your questions to Sophie: she knows the 59 districts and their conditions.