CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Students will find it harder to get into Phillip O. Berry High School in west Charlotte next year. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools wants to rid the school of past problems and the lowest test scores in the district.

Billed as a special academy geared to those students interested in the technology and medical fields, Chuck and Debbi Cooper thought they'd found the perfect school in Phillip O. Berry for their two oldest children three years ago.

"It appeared to us this was going to be a school that was going to be very intense and focused on specific areas such as technology and medical programs," said Chuck Cooper.

But that has not been the case. CMS leaders said too many students enrolled at O. Berry because it was their neighborhood school and not because they were interested in the specialized curriculum.

As a result, parents like the Coopers believe the quality of their kids' education has suffered.

"Overall, as far as preparation for college and life, it was on the lower end of our expectations," said Chuck Cooper.

School officials are now hoping new requirements will change that.

Students must now excel on their EOG math and reading tests and pass a computer competency test.

Students must also maintain minimum standards in order to remain at the school.

"I think the new requirements will help to ensure the quality of the kids that are there is going to be at a higher level," said Chuck Cooper.

Rising sophomore Elwyn Lowery is also hopeful. He hopes his friends who really wanted to get in but couldn't last year will now be able to.

"They really wanted to go because it was technology, but they didn't sign up quick enough like I did. But they're coming here next year," he said.

There is an advantage to going to specialized schools such as Phillip O. Berry.

It's one of more than 15 magnet programs in Charlotte.

Students don't have to pay to go to a trade school or community college to earn special certification.

They graduate from high school as a certified nursing assistant or Microsoft certified professional.