First Ward Creative Arts Academy (Ranked Bottom 50% for 2025-26)

715 N. Caldwell St
Charlotte, NC 28202

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Serving 447 students in grades Kindergarten-5, First Ward Creative Arts Academy ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in North Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).

The percentage of students achieving is 53% (which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 51%). The percentage of students achieving is 41% (which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 50%).

The student-teacher ratio of 13:1 is lower than the North Carolina state level of 15:1.

Minority enrollment is 96% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 57% (majority Black).

Quick Facts (2025-26)

School Type: Magnet School
Grades: Kindergarten-5
Enrollment: 447 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Minority Enrollment: 96%
: Bottom 50% in NC
: 53% (Top 50%)
: 41% (Btm 50%)
: 60-64% (Top 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

First Ward Creative Arts Academy ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:

School Overview

First Ward Creative Arts Academy's student population of 447 students has declined by 31% over five school years.

The teacher population of 35 teachers has declined by 20% over five school years.

School Type

Magnet School

Grades Offered

Grades Kindergarten-5
(No virtual instruction)

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	First Ward Creative Arts Academy
Kind	57
1	56
2	62
3	74
4	99
5	99

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Total Students

447 students

View Data

Total Students Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	First Ward Creative Arts Academy
2023	495
2022	528
2021	581
2020	650
2019	650
2018	572
2017	572
2016	548
2015	531
2014	548
2013	548
2012	533
2011	591
2010	538
2009	529
2008	425
2007	383
2006	369
2005	375
2004	407
2003	454
2002	383
2001	393
2000	461
1999	499
1998	509
1997	503
1996	489
1995	503
1994	543
1993	567
1992	668
1991	641
1990	629
1989	632
1988	619
1987	625

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Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers

35 teachers

View Data

Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1990-2023)
Year	First Ward Creative Arts Academy
2023	36
2022	40
2021	43
2020	44
2019	44
2018	40
2017	40
2016	37
2015	37
2014	38
2013	36
2012	37
2011	40
2010	34
2009	37
2008	31
2006	33
2005	33
2004	33
2003	33
2002	33
2001	33
2000	33
1999	33
1998	33
1997	30
1996	27
1995	28
1994	28
1993	27
1992	32
1991	32
1990	32

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School Calendar

School Motto

Excellence without Exception

School Rankings

First Ward Creative Arts Academy ranks within the bottom 50% of all 2,617 schools in North Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of First Ward Creative Arts Academy is 0.45, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School

State Level (NC)

#1465 out of 2617 schools
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	First Ward Creative Arts Academy
2023	#1465
2022	#1465
2021	#1740
2019	#1171
2018	#1092
2017	#1222
2016	#1033
2015	#1425
2014	#1580
2013	#1747
2012	#1543

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(21-22)

53%

51%

View Data

Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	First Ward Creative Arts Academy	North Carolina	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools School District
2022	53%	51%	52%
2021	27%	42%	42%
2019	49%	42%	48%
2018	53%	48%	47%
2017	57%	47%	53%
2016	53%	47%	52%
2015	42%	44%	49%
2014	38%	43%	47%
2013	33%	42%	46%
2012	78%	82%	83%
2011	70%	82%	82%

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41%

50%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	First Ward Creative Arts Academy	North Carolina	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools School District
2022	41%	50%	48%
2021	38%	47%	46%
2019	38%	46%	45%
2018	39%	47%	47%
2017	35%	46%	47%
2016	44%	47%	48%
2015	38%	46%	47%
2014	35%	46%	47%
2013	33%	45%	47%
2012	72%	73%	73%
2011	66%	70%	71%

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60-64%

63%

View Data

Science Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2021-2022)
Year	First Ward Creative Arts Academy	North Carolina	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools School District
2022	62%	63%	61%
2021	42%	61%	60%

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Student-Teacher Ratio

13:1

15:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1990-2023)
Year	First Ward Creative Arts Academy	North Carolina	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools School District
2023	14:1	15:1	17:1
2022	13:1	14:1	16:1
2021	14:1	14:1	16:1
2020	15:1	15:1	17:1
2019	15:1	15:1	17:1
2018	14:1	16:1	17:1
2017	14:1	15:1	17:1
2016	15:1	16:1	17:1
2015	14:1	16:1	17:1
2014	14:1	15:1	17:1
2013	15:1	15:1	17:1
2012	14:1	15:1	16:1
2011	15:1	15:1	17:1
2010	16:1	15:1	16:1
2009	14:1	15:1	15:1
2008	14:1	15:1	15:1
2006	11:1	14:1	19:1
2005	11:1	14:1	18:1
2004	12:1	15:1	17:1
2003	14:1	15:1	17:1
2002	12:1	15:1	16:1
2001	12:1	15:1	16:1
2000	14:1	15:1	16:1
1999	15:1	15:1	16:1
1998	15:1	15:1	16:1
1997	17:1	16:1	17:1
1996	18:1	16:1	17:1
1995	18:1	16:1	18:1
1994	19:1	16:1	17:1
1993	21:1	16:1	19:1
1992	21:1	16:1	17:1
1991	20:1	16:1	17:1
1990	20:1	17:1	18:1

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American Indian

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1992-2023)
Year	First Ward Creative Arts Academy	North Carolina	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools School District
2023	1%	1%
2022	1%	1%
2014	1%	1%
2013	1%	1%	1%
2012	1%	1%
2008	3%	2%	1%
2007	3%	2%	2%
2006	1%	2%	1%
2005	2%	2%	2%
2004	3%	2%	1%
2003	2%	2%	1%
2002	1%	2%
2001	1%	2%
2000	1%	2%
1999	2%	2%
1998	1%	2%
1997	1%	2%
1993	1%	2%
1992	1%	2%

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Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	First Ward Creative Arts Academy	North Carolina	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools School District
2023	1%	4%	7%
2022	1%	4%	7%
2021	1%	4%	8%
2020	1%	3%	7%
2019	1%	3%	7%
2011	1%	2%	6%
2010	2%	3%	6%
2009	1%	2%	5%
2007	2%	3%	5%
2006	1%	2%	4%
2005	1%	2%	4%
2004	1%	2%	5%
2003	2%	2%	5%
2002	1%	2%	5%
2001	1%	2%	6%
2000	1%	2%	5%
1999	1%	2%	5%
1997	1%	1%	5%
1995	1%	1%	4%
1994	1%	1%	4%
1993	1%	1%	4%

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Hispanic

14%

21%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1995-2023)
Year	First Ward Creative Arts Academy	North Carolina	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools School District
2023	15%	20%	29%
2022	16%	20%	29%
2021	16%	19%	27%
2020	18%	18%	25%
2019	18%	18%	25%
2018	23%	17%	23%
2017	23%	17%	23%
2016	21%	16%	22%
2015	22%	16%	21%
2014	18%	15%	19%
2013	17%	14%	18%
2012	14%	13%	18%
2011	12%	13%	16%
2010	10%	11%	16%
2009	9%	11%	16%
2008	9%	11%	16%
2007	5%	10%	14%
2006	2%	8%	12%
2005	2%	8%	10%
2004	2%	7%	9%
2003	1%	6%	8%
2002	1%	5%	7%
2001	1%	4%	5%
1999	1%	3%	3%
1995	1%	2%	2%

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Black

73%

25%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	First Ward Creative Arts Academy	North Carolina	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools School District
2023	74%	25%	37%
2022	73%	25%	37%
2021	73%	25%	37%
2020	72%	25%	38%
2019	72%	25%	38%
2018	68%	26%	40%
2017	68%	26%	40%
2016	71%	26%	40%
2015	69%	26%	40%
2014	71%	26%	41%
2013	72%	26%	42%
2012	75%	26%	42%
2011	70%	26%	41%
2010	71%	31%	45%
2009	70%	31%	45%
2008	68%	29%	43%
2007	72%	29%	43%
2006	82%	32%	46%
2005	72%	31%	45%
2004	63%	31%	44%
2003	59%	31%	44%
2002	67%	31%	44%
2001	61%	31%	43%
2000	59%	31%	43%
1999	54%	31%	42%
1998	49%	30%	42%
1997	48%	31%	41%
1996	47%	31%	41%
1995	44%	30%	40%
1994	43%	30%	40%
1993	43%	30%	40%
1992	42%	30%	40%
1991	44%	30%	39%

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White

43%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	First Ward Creative Arts Academy	North Carolina	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools School District
2023	3%	44%	24%
2022	5%	45%	24%
2021	5%	46%	25%
2020	5%	48%	27%
2019	5%	48%	27%
2018	6%	49%	29%
2017	6%	49%	29%
2016	6%	50%	29%
2015	6%	50%	30%
2014	7%	51%	31%
2013	7%	52%	32%
2012	7%	53%	32%
2011	10%	53%	33%
2010	17%	54%	33%
2009	20%	54%	33%
2008	20%	55%	35%
2007	18%	56%	36%
2006	14%	56%	37%
2005	23%	57%	39%
2004	31%	58%	41%
2003	35%	59%	42%
2002	30%	60%	44%
2001	36%	61%	46%
2000	38%	61%	48%
1999	42%	62%	50%
1998	50%	63%	51%
1997	50%	64%	52%
1996	53%	64%	53%
1995	54%	65%	54%
1994	56%	66%	55%
1993	55%	66%	55%
1992	56%	66%	56%
1991	55%	66%	57%

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Hawaiian

n/a

Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	First Ward Creative Arts Academy	North Carolina	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools School District
2023	6%	6%	3%
2022	4%	5%	3%
2021	5%	5%	3%
2020	4%	5%	3%
2019	4%	5%	3%
2018	3%	4%	2%
2017	3%	4%	2%
2016	2%	4%	2%
2015	3%	4%	2%
2014	3%	4%	2%
2013	3%	4%	2%

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All Ethnic Groups

0.45

0.71

View Data

Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	First Ward Creative Arts Academy	North Carolina	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools School District
2023	0.43	0.71	0.73
2022	0.44	0.70	0.73
2021	0.44	0.69	0.72
2020	0.45	0.68	0.72
2019	0.45	0.68	0.72
2018	0.49	0.67	0.71
2017	0.49	0.67	0.71
2016	0.45	0.66	0.70
2015	0.48	0.66	0.69
2014	0.47	0.65	0.70
2013	0.46	0.65	0.70
2012	0.42	0.64	0.69
2011	0.49	0.64	0.70
2010	0.46	0.61	0.66
2009	0.47	0.61	0.66
2008	0.51	0.61	0.67
2007	0.47	0.60	0.66
2006	0.31	0.58	0.64
2005	0.43	0.58	0.63
2004	0.51	0.57	0.63
2003	0.53	0.56	0.62
2002	0.47	0.55	0.61
2001	0.50	0.53	0.60
2000	0.51	0.53	0.59
1999	0.54	0.52	0.58
1998	0.51	0.52	0.57
1997	0.52	0.50	0.56
1996	0.52	0.50	0.55
1995	0.52	0.49	0.55
1994	0.51	0.48	0.54
1993	0.52	0.48	0.54
1992	0.51	0.48	0.53
1991	0.51	0.48	0.53

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Participates in the

Yes

Eligible for

99%

68%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	First Ward Creative Arts Academy	North Carolina	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools School District
2023	99%	57%	53%
2022	99%	47%	46%
2021	99%	49%	49%
2020	99%	52%	55%
2019	99%	52%	55%
2018	97%	53%	57%
2017	97%	53%	57%
2016	96%	52%	57%
2015	98%	52%	56%
2014	71%	47%	49%
2013	69%	47%	50%
2012	69%	45%	49%
2011	62%	43%	48%
2010	53%	40%	44%
2009	48%	28%	39%
2008	45%	25%	35%
2007	49%	35%	36%
2006	48%	35%	40%
2005	45%	37%	41%
2004	47%	36%	37%
2003	43%	27%	33%
2002	53%	30%	30%
2001	53%	29%	28%
2000	50%	31%	31%
1999	47%	31%	31%
1998	42%	31%	30%
1997	41%	30%	30%
1996	35%	30%	30%
1995	42%	29%	27%
1994	37%	29%	28%
1993	41%	29%	26%
1992	28%	22%	19%
1991	39%	31%	25%

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Eligible for (13-14)

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2000-2014)
Year	First Ward Creative Arts Academy	North Carolina	Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools School District
2014	9%	7%	6%
2013	9%	7%	6%
2012	10%	8%	6%
2011	10%	8%	6%
2010	11%	9%	7%
2009	12%	6%	7%
2008	13%	6%	7%
2007	11%	8%	7%
2006	14%	7%	6%
2005	13%	8%	7%
2004	12%	8%	6%
2003	10%	7%	7%
2002	9%	8%	7%
2001	7%	7%	6%
2000	7%	8%	7%

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School Statewide Testing

School District Name

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools School District

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), NC Dept. of Education

Profile last updated: 02/09/2025

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is First Ward Creative Arts Academy's ranking?

First Ward Creative Arts Academy is ranked #1465 out of 2,617 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in North Carolina.

What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?

53% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 51% NC state average), while 41% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 50% NC state average).

How many students attend First Ward Creative Arts Academy?

447 students attend First Ward Creative Arts Academy.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

73% of First Ward Creative Arts Academy students are Black, 14% of students are Hispanic, 7% of students are Two or more races, 4% of students are White, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Asian.

What is the student-teacher ratio of First Ward Creative Arts Academy?

First Ward Creative Arts Academy has a student ration of 13:1, which is lower than the North Carolina state average of 15:1.

What grades does First Ward Creative Arts Academy offer ?

First Ward Creative Arts Academy offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-5 (No virtual instruction).

What school district is First Ward Creative Arts Academy part of?

First Ward Creative Arts Academy is part of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools School District.

In what neighborhood is First Ward Creative Arts Academy located?

First Ward Creative Arts Academy is located in the Charlotte center city neighborhood of Charlotte, NC. There are 2 other public schools located in Charlotte center city.