CSS strives to prepare students for “what’s next.”

We recognize education/schools as the preparation for all Americans to earn a decent livelihood, be a good citizen of the nation and the world, and make a good life for oneself. Our philosophy naturally builds a rigorous college preparatory program – including 2 and 4-year institutions. Students’ intellectual as well as their ethical and moral growth and their sense of civic responsibility are developed and strengthened. The CSS philosophy supports students’ academic and moral development as closely related skills necessary for developing an individual into an authentic, purposeful learner.

In short, we want to prepare our students for life after high school, whether it’s college, community college, technical college or a career.

• Improve student learning
• Increase learning opportunities for all students with special emphasis on expanded learning experiences for students who are identifies as at risk of academic failure or academically gifted
• Encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods
• Create new professional opportunities for teachers
• Provide parents and students with expanded choices
• Hold the school accountable for meeting measurable student achievement results

Charter schools are public schools in that they:

• Are publicly funded through state and local tax revenue;
• Do not charge tuition;
• Are open to all North Carolina residents.

Unlike traditional public schools, though, charter schools are operated by non-profit corporations and governed by the corporation’s Board of Directors rather than the local school board. Also, charter schools are somewhat less regulated than traditional public schools. For example, NC charter schools have more flexibility than traditional public schools with respect to curriculum, teacher salaries and licensure requirements, specifications for school buildings, and purchasing.

However, charter schools are subject to oversight by the State Board of Education and the NC Department of Public Instruction. Charter school facilities must meet all local health and safety requirements and charter school students must take the same end-of-grade and end-of-course tests as other public school students in North Carolina.

Students who attend charter schools do so by choice. Charter schools, often referred to as under-funded public schools, receive state and local funding on a per student basis as do traditional public schools. Unlike traditional public schools, charter schools receive no funding for buildings, equipment, campus improvements, technology, transportation, food service, or capital expenditures.

CSS is a Title 1 school. Please see information below

Click here to go to the National Charter School Resource Center website for more information about charter schools.

Charlotte Secondary School’s core principles are as follows:

• A fundamental purpose of public education is to maintain and advance our democratic society
• A rigorous college preparatory education is the best preparation for civic participation, post-secondary education and the modern workplace
• Diversity is not merely desirable; it is necessary for the accomplishment of our mission
• A good education should be personalized and engage the whole person
• Our teachers will be competent, caring professionals who will grow along with our students
• Family and community engagement is essential for academic achievement
• A school is always a work in progress; we will pursue continuous improvement through self-assessment and evidence-based practices.