A unique non-traditional high school developed by Communities In Schools

A Performance Learning Center® is a small, non-traditional high school geared toward students who are not succeeding in the traditional school setting. It creates a business-like environment and emphasizes personal support and an intense academic program anchored by an online instructional system and project-based learning.

Performance Learning Centers work to focus students not just on graduation, but life and education beyond high school. Preparation for college and a career are the standards of success for PLCs. PLC students are encouraged to start actively planning their future and take the steps necessary to make their plans a reality.

The PLC model was developed by Communities In Schools of Georgia in 2003. Today there are more than 21 PLC’s throughout Georgia and have been expanded to other states in the CIS network as well.  PLC’s have received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, private foundations, and businesses.

Performance Learning Center® in Charlotte, NC

Communities In Schools (CIS) and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) partnered together to open a  Performance Learning Center® (PLC) in Charlotte in 2006, the first in the state. It follows the PLC model of a small, non-traditional high school geared toward students who are not succeeding in a traditional high school setting.

Charlotte’s PLC is located at 1400 N. Graham Street, in the historic Parks Hutchison School building. The PLC incorporates CIS’s caring philosophy and approach that combines strong personal relationships between staff and students with an intense focus on academic achievement. A CIS Services Coordinator, who is a CIS employee, coordinates non-academic services to support students, such as recruiting volunteers to be "career coaches" for students, job shadowing, internships, and community service activities.

The PLC’s business-like environment challenges students to complete assignments at their own pace, using an online computer-based curriculum. Students who have fallen behind in their credits will be able to move ahead in their classes more quickly, as well as have opportunities for dual enrollment in college courses.

Students are recommended for the PLC by their teacher or guidance counselor at their current high school, and students must complete an application and interview process.

For more information about Charlotte’s PLC, student enrollment requirements, or volunteering, contact the PLC at 980-343-1118 or plc@cms.k12.nc.us.

Here is the link to the PLC's page on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) website: PLC Website