Help Local Children With ALP’s ‘Rise And Read’ Event

We all know that reading is an important life skill. Unfortunately, many children in our area schools need help with literacy. Although I wasn't a teacher for very long, during my time as an educator, it was shocking to me how many 7th graders were reading well below their level. I had a few students in middle school reading at a 2nd grade reading level. This is unacceptable!

The Augustine Literacy Project is a local Charlotte organization. It's one of the 15 independent sites, and the original project began in Chapel Hill, North Carolina in 1994. The goal of the organization is to help local students who are struggling with literacy for a number of reasons. The mission of ALP is to improve the reading, writing, and spelling skills of young, aspiring readers in under-resourced communities by providing free, long-term, one-on-one instruction from highly trained tutors.

ALP's signature event is coming up soon! The 'Rise and Read' event is virtual, and will be happening on March 27, from 9-9:30 A.M. The event will be brining together numerous community leaders, as well as volunteers and future volunteers. If you're interested in helping local children with their reading skills, this event is for you! The featured speaker for 2024 will be Crystal L. Hill, Ed. D., the Superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

I realize that not everyone has time to physically help kids with their reading, but you can help in other ways. You and/or your business can become a Community Partner, by holding a book drive or by hosting a fundraising event. You can also donate funds to help the organization.

When I was teaching, I realized that some kids just need the right books to get them into reading. I found that when kids begin reading more about what their hobbies or interests are, it leads to them reading more in general. Sometimes getting children into reading just means providing the right books. Some kids just need some one-on-one time to perfect their reading skills.

If you'd like to take part in ALP's 'Rise and Read' event, you can find out more info here. And thank you for any help!

As a parent, part of moving to a new area is determining which area has a great school district. Niche.com helped out and delivered the top ranked schools for 2024 in the Charlotte area. The question now is do you agree?

I can't lie. I have always wondered where someone could go to get a non-biased opinion of schools beyond some general places. I recently found out about Niche and this really came in and answered many if not all questions someone could have about a school in a certain district, area, or state. Most of the analytics on each school break down if the school is a great school for teachers. This helps a teacher who that may be looking to switch states and not sure where to start. Not only does this show how the schools are ranked per state, but it also shows the best schools for athletes.

One of the big things that I enjoyed seeing in high schools was the breakdowns of SAT and ACT scores. They even gave the graduation percentage rate. That is a big deal because you learn just how well some schools are actually performing and how well some of them aren't.

Some of these schools are outside of the Charlotte area, but Niche.com has them categorized. Bessimer City Early College High is located in Dallas, NC. The school is rated 2nd out of 56 for best magnet schools in NC. It's also rated 6th out of 618 for best public high schools and ranked 26th out of 587 for best public high school for teachers in NC. On the academic level, they are off the charts with a 90% graduation rate.

Next, we will take it over to Waxhaw, NC. Marvin Ridge is a great school for athletes. It's ranked 5th out of 627 for best school for athletes in North Carolina. It also ranks 9th out of 618 for best public high schools in North Carolina. They have an average graduation rate of 98% with an average SAT score of 1320.

Ardrey Kell comes in ranked 10th out of 618 for best public high schools in North Carolina. They are also rolling in with a 97% graduation rate and an average SAT score of 1300. Let's go Ardrey Kell!

We are now into the middle school category. Metrolina is a Charter school and ranks #1 in the Charlotte area and #2 in the state of North Carolina. They also rank #1 for the best public middle school for teachers in the state of North Carolina. Congrats!

Fort Mill has always had highly rated schools. Even though this is in South Carolina, it is still considered the Charlotte area since it is right over the state line. Out of 322 schools, Pleasant Knoll is rated the #1 best public middle school in South Carolina. The school also ranks #1 for best public middle school for teachers in South Carolina.

https://pkms.fortmillschools.org/

Springfield Middle School also resides in the Fort Mill area in South Carolina. Springfield comes right behind the above Pleasant Knoll as the #2 Middle school in South Carolina. They are also ranked #10 for best public middle school for teachers. My home state is on the map!

https://sfms.fortmillschools.org/

We are now stepping into our elementary school area and it looks like we have some repeats. Metrolina is one of them. With this charter school, there is no application fee and no interview is required.

We are taking it back across the state line back into the Fort Mill area. Gold Hill Elementary is coming in at the number one elementary school in the Charlotte area. Again, since the school is directly across the state line, it's still considered the Charlotte area. Gold Hill Elementary is in the Tega Cay area. Coming in as the #2 public elementary school in South Carolina.

It's an awesome thing to have a top rated elementary and middle school in your district, but Fort Mill School District has several. While ranking #3 in the Charlotte area, Pleasant Knoll is ranked #2 in the state for best public middle school. Congrats!

Now, we are moving into our private school category. The number one school in the Charlotte area is Providence Day School. The yearly tuition is a little over $31k. There is a $100 application fee as well as an interview which is normal. While ranking #1 in private schools in the Charlotte area, they are ranked #2 in the state. The average graduation rate is 100% and an average SAT score of 1350!

Gaston Day School is in Gastonia, NC. They have a $75 application fee and an interview is required. Their average yearly tuition is around $20k. They are ranked #2 in the Charlotte area and #3 in the state for best private K-12 school.

Charlotte Country Day has an average yearly tuition of around $28k. They are ranked #3 in the Charlotte area and #4 in the state!