By type
Independent & Secular Schools around Charlotte
Schools that report no religious affiliation: college-prep day schools, Montessori programs, classical and STEM academies, microschools and specialty schools.
Funding note: Several of Charlotte's best-known independent schools are not on the Direct Payment list, while many smaller independents are. Check the flag before you count on the award.
41
Schools in this list22
On NCSEAA's 2026-27 Direct Payment list8,947
Students reported in the federal survey17
Report pre-K classes19
Run through grade 12$7,942
2026-27 Tier 1 Opportunity Scholarship maximumBy area
Independent & Secular Schools in Ballantyne, Blakeney & Pineville
7 schools · 2 on the Direct Payment list
Browse →Independent & Secular Schools in SouthPark, Cotswold & the Providence Road corridor
7 schools · 5 on the Direct Payment list
Browse →Independent & Secular Schools in Huntersville, Cornelius & Davidson
6 schools · 2 on the Direct Payment list
Browse →Independent & Secular Schools in North Charlotte & University City
5 schools · 3 on the Direct Payment list
Browse →Independent & Secular Schools in East Charlotte, Plaza Midwood & the Albemarle Road corridor
4 schools · 3 on the Direct Payment list
Browse →Independent & Secular Schools in Uptown, South End, Dilworth & Myers Park
4 schools · 3 on the Direct Payment list
Browse →All 41 independent & secular schools
| School | Affiliation | Area | Grades | Direct Payment 2026-27 | Students (federal survey) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALC Mosaic School 6100 Monroe Rd, Charlotte 28212 | Independent | East Charlotte, Plaza Midwood & the Albemarle Road corridor | — | ✓ Listed | 80 |
| Brisbane Academy Preparatory School 5901 Statesville Rd, Charlotte 28269 | Independent | North Charlotte & University City | PK-8 | Not listed | 48 |
| British International School of Charlotte 7000 Endhaven Ln, Charlotte 28277 | Independent | Ballantyne, Blakeney & Pineville | PK-12 | ✓ Listed | 149 |
| Cannon School 5801 Poplar Tent Rd, Concord 28027 | Independent | Concord, Kannapolis & Harrisburg | PK-12 | Not listed | 1,017 |
| Cedarwood Academy 401 E Arrowood Rd, Charlotte 28217 | Independent | West Charlotte & Steele Creek | PK-7 | Not listed | 37 |
| Charlotte Latin School 9502 Providence Rd, Charlotte 28277 | Independent | Ballantyne, Blakeney & Pineville | K-12 | Not listed | 1,523 |
| Charlotte Leadership Academy 2723 N Graham St, Charlotte 28269 | Independent | North Charlotte & University City | 6-12 | ✓ Listed | 44 |
| Charlotte Montessori School 219 E Blvd, Charlotte 28203 | Independent | Uptown, South End, Dilworth & Myers Park | PK-K | Not listed | 14 |
| Charlotte Preparatory School 212 Boyce Rd, Charlotte 28211 | Independent | SouthPark, Cotswold & the Providence Road corridor | PK-8 | Not listed | 357 |
| Crossway Academy 9111 Monroe Rd Ste 100, Charlotte 28270 | Independent | SouthPark, Cotswold & the Providence Road corridor | K-8 | ✓ Listed | 49 |
| Cyzner Institute 7022 Sardis Rd, Charlotte 28270 | Independent | SouthPark, Cotswold & the Providence Road corridor | PK-8 | ✓ Listed | 27 |
| Davidson Day School 750 Jetton St, Davidson 28036 | Independent | Huntersville, Cornelius & Davidson | PK-12 | Not listed | 456 |
| Davidson Green School 511 S Main St, Davidson 28036 | Independent | Huntersville, Cornelius & Davidson | PK-8 | ✓ Listed | 52 |
| Emerald School of Excellence 4012 Central Ave, Charlotte 28205 | Independent | East Charlotte, Plaza Midwood & the Albemarle Road corridor | 9-12 | ✓ Listed | 29 |
| Epiphany School of Charlotte 1000 E Morehead St, Charlotte 28204 | Independent | Uptown, South End, Dilworth & Myers Park | 4-8 | ✓ Listed | 20 |
| Friendship Day School for the Sciences & the Arts 3400 Beatties Ford Rd, Charlotte 28216 | Independent | North Charlotte & University City | K-5 | ✓ Listed | 72 |
| Fusion Academy and Learning Center (Charlotte) 3426 Toringdon Way Ste 100, Charlotte 28277 | Independent | Ballantyne, Blakeney & Pineville | 6-12 | ✓ Listed | 44 |
| Fusion Charlotte 3540 Toringdon Way Ste 100, Charlotte 28277 | Independent | Ballantyne, Blakeney & Pineville | 6-12 | Not listed | 49 |
| Gaston Christian School 1625 Lowell Bethesda Rd, Gastonia 28056 | Independent | Gastonia, Belmont & the Gaston County towns | PK-12 | ✓ Listed | 1,040 |
| Gaston Day School 2001 Gaston Day School Rd, Gastonia 28056 | Independent | Gastonia, Belmont & the Gaston County towns | PK-12 | ✓ Listed | 398 |
| Guidepost Montessori at Lake Norman 15115 Norman View Ln, Huntersville 28078 | Independent | Huntersville, Cornelius & Davidson | K-5 | Not listed | 24 |
| Guidepost Montessori School 4755 Prosperity Church Rd, Charlotte 28269 | Independent | North Charlotte & University City | PK-5 | Not listed | 40 |
| Ignite Achievement Academy 6203 Carmel Rd, Charlotte 28226 | Independent | SouthPark, Cotswold & the Providence Road corridor | 1-12 | ✓ Listed | 53 |
| Kent Academy 1814 Euclid Ave, Charlotte 28203 | Independent | Uptown, South End, Dilworth & Myers Park | 1-12 | ✓ Listed | 36 |
| Keystone Montessori School 2830 Dorchester Pl, Charlotte 28209 | Independent | Uptown, South End, Dilworth & Myers Park | PK-3 | ✓ Listed | 31 |
| Kiddie Academy of Charlotte-Blakeney 9310 Blakeney Centre Dr, Charlotte 28277 | Independent | Ballantyne, Blakeney & Pineville | PK-K | Not listed | 14 |
| Kids R Kids Learning Academy of Blakeney 6250 Blakeney Park Dr, Charlotte 28277 | Independent | Ballantyne, Blakeney & Pineville | K | Not listed | 12 |
| Lock and Key Academy 400 Gilead Rd Unit 732, Huntersville 28078 | Independent | Huntersville, Cornelius & Davidson | 10-11 | Not listed | 6 |
| Omni Montessori School 9536 Blakeney Heath Rd, Charlotte 28277 | Independent | Ballantyne, Blakeney & Pineville | PK-9 | Not listed | 144 |
| Philips Academy 3115 Providence Rd, Charlotte 28211 | Independent | SouthPark, Cotswold & the Providence Road corridor | 6-12 | ✓ Listed | 55 |
| Phoenix Montessori Academy 10624 Metromont Pkwy Ste 302, Charlotte 28269 | Independent | North Charlotte & University City | PK-12 | ✓ Listed | 140 |
| Primrose School of Huntersville 9552 Kincey Ave, Huntersville 28078 | Independent | Huntersville, Cornelius & Davidson | PK-K | Not listed | 18 |
| Providence Day School 5800 Sardis Rd, Charlotte 28270 | Independent | SouthPark, Cotswold & the Providence Road corridor | K-12 | Not listed | 1,820 |
| School at Thompson 6800 Saint Peters Ln, Matthews 28105 | Independent | Matthews, Mint Hill & Stallings | 4-10 | Not listed | 17 |
| Shands School 12043 Guion Ln, Matthews 28105 | Independent | Matthews, Mint Hill & Stallings | 4-7 | Not listed | 4 |
| Thales Academy Waxhaw (K-8) 8012 New Town Rd, Waxhaw 28173 | Independent | Monroe, Indian Trail, Waxhaw & Weddington | K-8 | ✓ Listed | 504 |
| The Fletcher School 8500 Sardis Rd, Charlotte 28270 | Independent | SouthPark, Cotswold & the Providence Road corridor | K-12 | ✓ Listed | 292 |
| The Halton School 11414 Beatties Ford Rd, Huntersville 28078 | Independent | Huntersville, Cornelius & Davidson | 2-8 | ✓ Listed | 32 |
| The John Crosland School 5146 Pkwy Plz Blvd, Charlotte 28217 | Independent | West Charlotte & Steele Creek | K-12 | ✓ Listed | 97 |
| The Nest Academy 6740 Albemarle Rd, Charlotte 28212 | Independent | East Charlotte, Plaza Midwood & the Albemarle Road corridor | K-12 | Not listed | 53 |
| Trinity Christian Preparatory School 7516 E Independence Blvd Ste 100, Charlotte 28227 | Independent | East Charlotte, Plaza Midwood & the Albemarle Road corridor | 7-12 | ✓ Listed | 50 |
| A ✓ Direct Payment flag means | It does not mean |
|---|---|
| NCSEAA listed the school for 2026-27, so Opportunity Scholarship and ESA+ funds can be paid to it | The school has a seat open, or that your child is admitted |
| Your tier award is applied to required tuition and fees | The award covers the whole bill |
| The school agreed to NCSEAA testing and reporting rules for scholarship students | The school is accredited, which the state list does not record |
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