CMS Proposes Magnet Program Overhaul and New School Boundaries Ahead of 2027-28 School Year Changes

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) is considering a significant overhaul of its magnet program structure and high school attendance boundaries. The district aims to convert EE Waddell from its current role as a virtual and English learner program hub into a full comprehensive high school, as part of a broader strategy to consolidate magnet themes and optimize resource allocation.

EE Waddell, located in southwest Charlotte, presently houses the PACE program for English language learners and virtual learning options. Past attempts to repurpose the school—including relocating the PACE program to Garinger High School and introducing an aviation magnet—have faced community pushback or stalled implementation due to enrollment and transportation challenges. The latest proposal suggests expanding EE Waddell into a regular high school, which would necessitate revising the attendance zones of nearby schools.

Reconfiguring school boundaries around EE Waddell would likely reduce enrollment pressure at neighboring institutions such as Olympic, Myers Park, South Mecklenburg, Harding, Palisades, and the newly opened Ballantyne Ridge High School. These adjustments are part of a comprehensive approach to balance student populations and address overcrowding in the region’s schools.

CMS plans to streamline its current 16 magnet themes into six core program areas. These would include:

1. Visual and Performing Arts
2. World Languages
3. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
4. Montessori
5. Early College
6. A hybrid program combining International Baccalaureate, learning immersion, and talent development themes

This consolidation aims to create uniform magnet experiences across all campuses, allowing families to prioritize programs over specific school locations. Deputy Superintendent Melissa Balknight emphasized that the program choice should ensure consistent educational experiences regardless of transportation zones, maintaining clear program identities while recognizing that school cultures differ.

The district also intends to introduce at least six career and technical education programs at every high school. This expansion will support a diverse array of student interests and prepare learners for various career pathways while complementing the magnet program realignment.

Currently, CMS uses a lottery system to place students in magnet programs outside their zoned schools, often leading to waitlists and uneven access. The proposed changes hope to simplify and improve this process by aligning program offerings and attendance areas more logically.

While these proposals are still preliminary, CMS has outlined a timeline whereby any approved changes would not be implemented before the 2027-28 school year. The district plans to seek public feedback on the magnet and boundary proposals before presenting finalized versions to the school board for a vote in May. This community engagement will be critical for addressing concerns and refining plans to best meet student and family needs across Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

Taken together, the magnet overhaul and boundary redraw represent a notable shift in CMS’s approach to providing specialized and equitable educational options. The district aims to foster consistent program quality district-wide while managing enrollment and resource challenges in rapidly growing areas of Charlotte.