Charlotte Preparatory School celebrating 50 years of Excellence and Innovation

written by Guest Blogger October 7, 2021

At Charlotte Preparatory School, we foster lifelong learning and provide an exemplary educational experience founded on academic excellence, positive character, and leadership development in a diverse and inclusive community. Our PreK-8th grade model and intentional size provide a community where children receive an outstanding education in a nurturing environment. We celebrate each child as an individual and ensure that every student is known, loved, and challenged by teaching and learning that fosters creative thinking, empowers rigorous problem-solving, and encourages children to grow into competent and self-assured leaders.

Our curriculum and engaging learning philosophy invite students to stretch their minds, while our environment allows our students to harness their natural curiosity. We are deeply committed to the PreK-8th grade model. It enables our students to grow and be nurtured in a safe and age-appropriate environment while allowing them to be inquisitive, stay playful and enjoy their childhood to the fullest.

This process starts with our youngest students in our Montessori Early School. We recognize that a child’s early years, from birth to six years old, is the period when children have a remarkable capacity to learn combined with an extraordinary appetite for knowledge. The Montessori method is an enormously powerful, confidence-building approach to early childhood education. It focuses on a child’s capacity to absorb information when learning is driven by their curiosity. Our six Montessori classrooms allow our youngest students to collaborate with their peers in a multi-age class. Being able to set their own learning pace as well as being an active participant in their education provides our students with a very important foundation and tools for future growth. In addition, the Montessori method allows us to aid, nourish and guide our students’ development not only intellectually, but also socially, physically, and emotionally.

While other Montessori schools provide a very similar approach during these early years, we at Charlotte Prep are proud to have the additional opportunity to support our Montessori students’ transition into a more traditional system, when graduating from Early School and entering our Lower School for Kindergarten through 4th grade. We provide unique support for our students and families and guide them into the next stage of their educational journey. In Lower School, students participate in a 6-day rotation of specialized classes, providing them with well-balanced opportunities to engage in hands-on, unique learning opportunities such as Fine Arts (Music, Drama, and Art), Technology and STEM, Spanish, and Physical Education.

Our Middle school students have a unique role at Charlotte Prep. They are leaders, role models and assume roles that are typically reserved for high schoolers. Our PreK-8th grade model also allows our middle schoolers to build confidence, maturity, and leadership skills. We offer a robust athletic program at Charlotte Prep and are one of the few schools in the area to include 5th and 6th graders on our sports teams. Our 8th graders are in a very fortunate position of being able to select the right high school when they truly know themselves, their interests, and their needs. We could not be prouder of our graduates as they leave our care very well prepared to succeed in high school.

Our Four Pillars of Leadership: Respect, Courage, Integrity, and Perseverance, guide our daily routine. We nurture self-confident leaders who model creative problem-solving skills and can lead others with empathy and confidence. Character education is an essential part of that and our curriculum throughout all grades at Charlotte Prep. One wonderful example of this commitment is our well-respected and loved BUDEE (Be Understanding, Dedicated, Empathetic, and Engaged) mentorship program. It matches Transitional Kindergarten students from the Early School with 3rd graders and Lower School students with a Middle School buddy, who serves as a role model to the youngster. Students experience leadership in action as they meet for community service, character education, and teamwork exercises. This program allows for opportunities to serve others, learn leadership skills as well as social responsibility.

Please contact us today at admissions@charlotteprep.org and inquire, visit or join an information session through our Virtual Admission Portal. We are holding two virtual information sessions. Please RSVP to attend.

Early School Virtual Information Session – Oct. 28 at 9:30 a.m.

Kindergarten – 8th Grade Virtual Information Session – Nov. 18 at 9:30 a.m.

We are #OnePrep and can’t wait to welcome your child and family to our Prep Community.