Charlotte-Mecklenburg has experienced tremendous growth in the last two decades and the demographics continue to change.
The gap between high and low income households is growing and the number of socio-economically stressed children and families in CMS schools has increased. Consider these facts:
- Over 12 million children under the age of 18 in the U.S. live in poverty. In Mecklenburg County, 30,000 - 41,000 children (14%) live in poverty.
- The pandemic forced children already in poverty even deeper into poverty. Almost half (47%) of all children living in poverty live in severe or extreme poverty, a number which rose from 4.5 million before the pandemic to 5.5 million in 2021.
- In 2001 there were 12 high-poverty, high minority schools in CMS. Today, more than half of CMS schools (102 of 184) are designated Title I, which means the majority of students live near or below the poverty line.**
*U.S. Census Bureau, 2021
**Children’s Defense Fund – The State of America’s Children, 2023
***Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, 2023
Our Outcomes
2022-2023 School Year
students received targeted case-management services in 55 CMS schools.
additional students received broad, school-wide services.
of CIS students stayed in school.
were promoted to the next grade.
of students’ identified goals were met or progress was made.
of students were not chronically absent.* (“chronically absent” is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year)
CIS seniors graduated.
88% are attending a 2-4 year college or university.
5% of graduates joined the military, workforce, or apprenticeship programs.
partner companies, groups, and individuals donated time or resources.