CHARLOTTE — Several Charlotte-area high schools ranked as some of the nation’s best, according to a new list from U.S. News and World Report.
It ranked Gastonia’s Highland School of Technology No. 1 in the region for the second year in a row.
Ardrey Kell and Providence High Schools are came in second and third place.
The ranking assessed the schools by looking at college readiness, state testing and graduation rates.
Listed below are the Charlotte metro’s 10 best public high schools, according to U.S. News’ rankings:
10) Central Academy of Technology and Arts, Monroe — Union County Public Schools
N.C. rank: No. 33
National rank: No. 974
Local rank in 2025: No. 7
Overall score: 94.57
9) Harper Middle College High School, Charlotte — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (magnet school)
N.C. rank: No. 31
National rank: No. 964
Local rank in 2025: Unranked
Overall score: 94.63
8) Weddington High School, Matthews — Union County Public Schools
N.C. rank: No. 22
National rank: No. 697
Local rank in 2025: No. 10
Overall score: 96.12
7) Pine Lake Preparatory, Mooresville — charter school
N.C. rank: No. 21
National rank: No. 662
Local rank in 2025: No. 4
Overall score: 96.31
6) Marvin Ridge High School, Waxhaw — Union County Public Schools
N.C. rank: No. 19
National rank: No. 614
Local rank in 2025: No. 3
Overall score: 96.58
5) Lake Norman Charter, Huntersville — charter school
N.C. rank: No. 18
National rank: No. 570
Local rank in 2025: No. 5
Overall score: 96.82
4) Charlotte Engineering Early College, Charlotte — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
N.C. rank: No. 17
National rank: No. 567
Local rank in 2025: No. 2
Overall score: 96.84
3) Providence High School, Charlotte — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
N.C. rank: No. 14
National rank: No. 526
Local rank in 2025: No. 6
Overall score: 97.07
2) Ardrey Kell High School, Charlotte — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
N.C. rank: No. 13
National rank: No. 475
Local rank in 2025: No. 8
Overall score: 97.35
1) Highland School of Technology, Gastonia — Gaston County Schools (magnet school)
N.C. rank: No. 9
National rank: No. 344
Local rank in 2025: No. 1
Overall score: 98.08
For other high-ranking local schools, visit CBJ’s website here to see the full list.