Photo: Property of PLCMC · CC BY-SA 2.0Cornelius’s public schools score below 54% of North Carolina districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Cornelius, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within North Carolina, not nationally.
From North Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Cornelius’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 138 North Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Cornelius’s, its schools beat 26%, lower than their 46% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in math, below in reading
Reading proficiency is 48% and math 52% in spring 2022, against 50% and 51% statewide; 83% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,065 per student, against $13,045 across North Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Bailey Middle, then William Amos Hough High. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Lakeside Charter Academy and Grace Covenant Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Cornelius’s grade
B−: better than 46% of North Carolina school districts, #165 of 290 North Carolina towns. Both inputs trail the North Carolina average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Cornelius, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Cornelius · depends on your address
J.V. Washam Elementary
Grades K–5 · 818 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Cornelius Elementary
Grades K–5 · 542 students · 15:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Cornelius · depends on your address
J.V. Washam Elementary
Grades K–5 · 818 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Cornelius Elementary
Grades K–5 · 542 students · 15:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Cornelius · depends on your address
J.V. Washam Elementary
Grades K–5 · 818 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Cornelius Elementary
Grades K–5 · 542 students · 15:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Cornelius · depends on your address
J.V. Washam Elementary
Grades K–5 · 818 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Cornelius Elementary
Grades K–5 · 542 students · 15:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Cornelius · depends on your address
J.V. Washam Elementary
Grades K–5 · 818 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Cornelius Elementary
Grades K–5 · 542 students · 15:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Cornelius · depends on your address
J.V. Washam Elementary
Grades K–5 · 818 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Cornelius Elementary
Grades K–5 · 542 students · 15:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Cornelius
Bailey Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,315 students · 18:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Cornelius
Bailey Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,315 students · 18:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Cornelius
Bailey Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,315 students · 18:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Cornelius
William Amos Hough High
Grades 9–12 · 2,518 students · 21:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Cornelius
William Amos Hough High
Grades 9–12 · 2,518 students · 21:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Cornelius
William Amos Hough High
Grades 9–12 · 2,518 students · 21:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Cornelius
William Amos Hough High
Grades 9–12 · 2,518 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Cornelius’s public schools are run by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, which also serves Charlotte, Davidson, Huntersville and Matthews and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Cornelius vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the North Carolina towns that share Cornelius’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Cornelius | B− | Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools |
| Huntersville | B− | Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools |
| Davidson | B− | Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools |
All 2 neighbors share Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools with Cornelius, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Cornelius
6 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with North Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Cornelius’s schools
Are Cornelius’s schools good?
On North Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Cornelius children attend score below 54% of North Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #165 of 290 North Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 26%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Cornelius in?
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 145,014 students in 186 schools (2024–25).
Where do Cornelius kids go to high school?
William Amos Hough High, with 2,518 students; its own test results earn an A+.
What is Cornelius’s graduation rate?
83% of the class of 2023 in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across North Carolina.
How much does Cornelius spend per student?
$13,065 in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (FY2024), against $13,045 across North Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Cornelius?
Yes: Grace Covenant Academy (religious, grades PK–8, 264 students). Cornelius also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Cornelius families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Cornelius → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within North Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.