Seeking school options for your child? These are CMS’ lottery choices
With Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ school choice themes, students can learn a variety of subjects outside of the traditional public school curriculum.
Each option is catered to students’ interests and learning styles, and the district uses a lottery system to determine who is admitted into each program.
Here are the school choice themes that are available for elementary, middle and high school students in CMS.
International Baccalaureate
The international baccalaureate (IB) program focuses on “critical thinking and international mindedness” and develops students “intellectually, personally, socially and emotionally,” according to CMS.
In the IB program, students study world languages starting in kindergarten, complete required community service projects and focus on areas of study designed to improve time management, goal setting and research skills.
Learning immersion and talent development
In the learning immersion and talent development programs, which are for advanced learners, students are expected to use analytical critical thinking skills to solve real-world problems, according to CMS. The learning immersion program serves grades K-5, and the talent development program serves grades 3-5.
Students in this program are automatically admitted to the IB program in their transportation zones.
Montessori
In the Montessori program, students work in small groups with specially-designed materials to meet grade level goals and learning objectives.
Children who start the program at age 4 benefit the most from the program, according to CMS.
Science, technology, engineering and math
The science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) program incorporates each subject into curriculum that focuses on logical reasoning, collaboration and investigation. The initiative also includes programs in environmental sustainability and computer science immersion.
The goal of the program is to prepare students for post-secondary education.
Leadership
Students in the leadership program study principles in “7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” an acclaimed book by Stephen Covey, including achieving goals and creating a clear path to success to become better leaders.
The program features a leadership and service curriculum for all grade levels, collaborative projects with the School of Education at Queens University of Charlotte and rigorous teaching of study skills.
Virtual learning
Students in the virtual learning program receive 100% of their instruction online. Honors, advanced placement and college level courses are offered to students in grades 4-12.
Virtual schools also provide a wide range of elective courses, as well as clubs and enrichment opportunities for students.
Visual and Performing Arts
In the visual and performing arts program, students receive instruction in dance, music, theater arts and visual arts.
In elementary school, students take weekly art classes before moving on to specialized instruction based on their individual needs in middle and high school.
World language and dual-language immersion
Students in the language immersion program can begin to study and become proficient in Chinese, French, German, Japanese or Spanish while in kindergarten.
In the World Languages program, sixth grade students can begin studying a different language and earn high school credit if they complete the first two levels.
Other high school programs
CMS offers a number of specialized programs for high school students, including:
For more information about CMS school choice themes, visit CMSchoice.org.
This story was originally published December 30, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
