The 2026 School Guide, presented by Charlotte Moms Network, is your local resource for private schools, preschools, after school programs, tutoring, and more. Whether you’re gearing up for back-to-school season, moved mid-year, or looking ahead, we’re here to support your family’s needs!
THE GARDEN SCHOOL MONTESSORI
The Garden Schools
Private Schools
Private schools tend to have smaller class sizes and more extracurricular activities as well as individualized learning. Some have their own preschool programs, while others begin at the kindergarten level. Transitional/junior kindergartens (for children whose ages miss the public school cutoff date) are also available. Here is a list of private schools in the Charlotte area, both secular and non-secular:
Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten-12th Grade Schools:
- British International School (ages 18 months-grade 12)
- Brookstone Schools (JK-8th)
- Cannon School (JK-12)
- Carolina Christian School (age 2-grade 12)
- Charlotte Country Day School (JK-12)
- Charlotte Latin School (TK-12)
- Christ Classical Academy (TK-12)
- Concord Academy (K-12)
- Covenant Classical School (JK-12)
- Davidson Day School (age 2-grade 12)
- The Fletcher School (K-12)
- Gaston Day School (Pre-K-12)
- Hickory Grove Christian School (TK-12)
- Ignite Achievement Academy (K-12)
- Lake Norman Christian School (K-12)
- Lake Pointe Academy (K-12)
- Liberty Preparatory Christian Academy (K-12)
- Statesville Christian School (K-12)
- Victory Christian Center School (Pre-K-12)
- Walnut Grove Christian School (K-12)
- Woodlawn School (Pre-K-12th grade)
Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten-8th Grade Schools:
- Adventist Christian Academy (K-8)
- ALC Mosaic (ages 5-14)
- Charlotte Prepatory School (Pre-K-8th)
- First Wesleyan Christian School (K-8th)
- Freedom Academy (Pre-K-8th Grade)
- Our Lady of the Assumption School (Pre-K-8th)
- Trinity Episcopal School
Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten-5th Grade Schools:
Homeschool Resources
There’s a lot of great ways to supplement your homeschool curriculum, from recreation classes to online worksheets and activities.
Curriculum Supplies:
- Teachers Pay Teachers (check out friend-of-CMN’s Adventures in Preschool and Beyond for early childhood curriculum, preschool through grade 2!). Lots of free worksheets, games, and lesson plans to download in addition to the ones available for purchase, all created by teachers!
Excursions and Day Trips:
- Homeschool Days: Fall Orchard Tour at Millstone Creek Orchards
- Homeschool Days: Carolina Raptor Center
- STEAM Homeschool Days: Charlotte Motor Speedway
- Field Trip: Sullenberger Aviation Museum
- Matthews Playhouse: Homeschool Experiences
- Children’s Theatre of Charlotte (daytime performances for kids)
Classes:
Preschools
Preschool allows for socialization, emotional regulation, cognitive learning, and a wide variety of “soft skills” (maintaining attention span, working to completion, taking risks, trying new activities) that children will carry with them throughout their lives. While some preschools in the area serve children ages 2-5, many begin with infant care as young as six weeks old. Check the school’s website for specific age ranges.
- Cadence Academy Preschool
- Chesterbrook Academy of Ballantyne
- The Goddard School (multiple locations)
- Kindercare (multiple locations)
- Laurelwood Community Preschool (Waxhaw)
- Leafspring School
- Learning Jungle Ballantyne
- Mineral Springs Preschool (Monroe)
- Oakcrest Preparatory Academy (Tega Cay, SC/Fort Mill, SC/Ballantyne, NC)
- Primrose Schools (Charlotte Metro area-multiple locations)
- Stepping Stones Preschool (Waxhaw)
- Sunshine House of Ballantyne
After School Programs
Sports, art classes, gymnastics, music…whatever your child is interested in, we’ve got it!
Art Classes:
- Artbox Ceramics and Canvas
- Clayworks
- Creatif
- Hands Create Fine Arts Studio
- Holt School of Art
- Kidcreate Studio
- Small Hands Big Art
Sports Classes:
- Carolina Flipz (gymnastics, parkour, ninja, cheer)
- Charlotte Martial Arts Academy
- Charlotte Tennis Academy
- First Tee Greater Charlotte (golf)
- i9 Sports (multiple sports available)
- Inner Peaks (rock climbing)
- Panthers Flag Football
- RCX Sports (baseball, flag football, basketball, soccer)
- Yes I Can Soccer
Music/Theater/Dance Classes:
- Acting Out Studio
- Charlotte Academy of the Arts (instruments, theater, voice)
- Charlotte Cirque and Dance Center
- Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
- Lumi School of Musical Theatre
- Matthews Playhouse
- Miller Street Academy
Miscellaneous (STEM, chess, cooking, and more!)
Montessori Schools
Montessori schools (developed under the method of Dr. Maria Montessori) emphasize child-led learning in a mixed-age group setting. The teacher’s role is to prepare the environment, gently facilitating and guiding when needed. Here’s a list of Montessori schools in the Charlotte area.
Anami Montessori School (ages 3-12)
Charlotte Montessori School (ages 15 months-6 years)
Christian Montessori School of Lake Norman (infants-age 6)
The Garden School Montessori (ages 1-6)
Guidepost Montessori at Prosperity (ages 10 weeks-6 years)
ILIM International: Montessori and Language School (age 2-grade 8)
Keystone Montessori School (ages 3-12)
Omni Montessori School (Preschool-Grade 9)
Village Montessori and Preparatory School (infants-age 5)
Tutoring
Kindergarten readiness, subject-specific support, and general academic strengthening are all available via these tutoring services:
