Here are CMS schools that will get new buildings in 2026. Is your child affected?
Five Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools construction projects are set to finish in August 2026, just in time for students to return for the 2026-27 school year.
In 2023, Mecklenburg County voters passed a $2.5 billion bond referendum for 30 construction and renovation projects around the 186-school district. It was the largest school bond ever sought in North Carolina.
The bond, which passed with 63% of the vote in a low-turnout election, is funded by a property tax increase, implemented incrementally in 2025, 2028 and 2029.
The first project – converting the former Sedgefield Elementary into a Montessori program for pre-K through 6th grade – concluded in August. The next five will finish this year, while four more are billed for 2027 and the remaining six for 2028.
Renovations concluding in 2026
First Ward Creative Arts
The conversion of the former First Ward Elementary in uptown to a full-magnet arts middle school, serving grades 6-8, has already begun. Construction and billing started in December 2024, and so far, demolition and framing is complete.
Over half of the construction is complete, including renovation of first floor classrooms and the drama building. Plumbing, HVAC, electrical and renovation of the school’s media center is ongoing. The budget for the project, combined with renovations at Northwest School of the Arts, totals about $93.6 million
The district’s full-magnet arts program for middle schoolers has already been moved to the newly renamed First Ward Creative Arts. The elementary school arts magnet program is housed at University Park Creative Arts. Northwest School of the Arts, which previously served grades 6-12, is now a full-choice high school arts magnet program, serving grades 9-12.
Students previously zoned to First Ward Elementary and University Park Elementary will now be zoned to Bruns Avenue Elementary, west of uptown.
Marie G. Davis
Marie G. Davis, located southwest of uptown, between South Tryon St. and I-77, is currently a K-8 grade International Baccalaureate school. After the renovation, which is set to conclude in August, it will replace JT Williams Montessori as a Montessori program, serving grades 7-12.
New features will include a security vestibule, maker space, theater space, life skills classroom and outdoor instructional spaces. The budget for the project is about $9.1 million.
JT Williams Montessori currently serves students in grades 7-12. In August, JT Williams students will move to Marie G. Davis, and JT Williams will be repurposed for alternative education programs.
“What we’re trying to do is invest in the Montessori program, pre-K through 12th grade,” CMS Executive Director of Facilities Management Dennis LaCaria told parents at JT Williams March 27.
New Elementary School on Park Road
CMS is constructing a new 45-classroom elementary school to serve students in Sedgefield and Dilworth, replacing Dilworth Elementary. The site is located at the site of the former Park Road Montessori, about 10 minutes south of the current Dilworth Elementary site.
The new school does not have a name yet, but it’s projected to house around 967 students – approximately 99% of its capacity. The budget for the project, combined with renovations at Sedgefield Montessori and Dilworth Latta Elementary School, is about $89 million.
Bidding and construction began in November So far, the building’s external structure is complete, with the installation of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems ongoing.
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New Middle School South 1
CMS is also building a new middle school in south Charlotte, aimed at relieving overcrowding at Community House, Jay M. Robinson and Rea Farms STEAM middle schools. It’s the first of three new middle schools the district is planning with the 2023 bond, including others in Huntersville and southwest Mecklenburg County.
Construction at the new 54-classroom campus is about 50% done, and the total budget for the project is about $101 million.
It doesn’t yet have a name, and it’s located close to Ballantyne, just south of I-485 at Tom Short Road.
Northwest School of the Arts
Northwest School of the Arts previously had an $11 million renovation completed as part of the bond CMS passed in 2017. That included the replacement of some classroom buildings and refurbishing of the parking lot.
The work included in the 2023 bond is more expansive. It includes the construction of a new building, which will house arts like sculpture, ceramics, print making, drawing and photography. It will also house science, general classrooms, media, administration and student services.
The school, which previously served grades 6-12, now serves as exclusively a high school arts magnet. Middle school students were moved to First Ward Creative Arts. The total budget for both the First Ward Creative Arts renovation and Northwest School of the Arts project is $93.6 million.
Bond projects planned for after 2026
Remaining projects funded by the 2023 bond referendum are projected to be completed between 2027 and 2028:
Complete in August 2027
- Billingsville Montessori
- Cotswold Elementary School
- Dilworth Elementary School
- South Mecklenburg High School
Complete in August 2028
- Berryhill School
- Beverly Woods Elementary School
- Huntersville Elementary School
- Second Ward Medical High School
- New Middle School #2 North
- North Mecklenburg High School
This story was originally published January 12, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
