Question 1

What is RYSE?

Accepted Answer

RYSE helps families choose K-12 schools, from understanding which schools they're actually eligible for, to comparing them based on quality information, to understanding the common missteps that too often lead families to regret their school choice. We built it for families in Charlotte and those relocating to the city, with plans to expand from there. Choosing a school is a big decision, and it's harder to get good information than it should be. We're here to change that, so every family can find a great school for their child.

Question 2

Is RYSE free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes, RYSE starts free with PREVIEW. You can search every public school in North Carolina and see our better-than-ratings indicators of school effectiveness, no payment required. When you are ready for more, paid plans add the RYSE Live Workshop on how school choice works (LEARN), your complete personalized school list with side-by-side comparisons (SCHOOL SEARCH), tools for families relocating (RELOCATOR), and one-on-one support (CONCIERGE). We also offer scholarships for families for whom finances are a barrier to accessing RYSE's tools. See more below.

Question 3

What schools does RYSE cover?

Accepted Answer

RYSE covers every public school in North Carolina, including traditional schools, magnet programs, and charter schools. Charter schools are run independently, so they sit outside any district and you apply to them rather than being assigned. Our deepest data is for Charlotte-Mecklenburg: attendance boundaries, bus zones, and feeder patterns are CMS only for now. Everything comes from official Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and North Carolina Department of Public Instruction sources, updated regularly so you are looking at current information.

Question 4

How do I learn how school choice works?

Accepted Answer

Our 90-minute RYSE Live Workshop goes deep on this, and you can ask questions along the way. It covers everything from understanding your school options, to applying through the magnet lottery, to knowing what questions to ask during school visits. We also share the common mistakes to avoid and how to use RYSE's tools to find a great school fit.

Question 5

How do I find and organize my schools?

Accepted Answer

You find your options in Explore: the schools RYSE suggests based on your priorities, plus your full list of options for your address, each with our better-than-ratings growth data. Heart the ones worth a closer look, add notes and ratings as you research, and your favorites are saved in one place. It helps you move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling organized, without a dozen browser tabs.

Question 6

What is the Compare step?

Accepted Answer

Compare is where you weigh your top options side by side and make your choice. You can compare your favorite schools one against another, see the exact schools assigned to each address you are considering, or look at the schools and bus zones for a neighborhood you have pinned. It is the decision layer that turns a long list into a confident pick.

Question 7

How can I see just my zone schools?

Accepted Answer

You can narrow to your zoned schools in two places. In Explore, choose the "Zoned schools" tab to see only the schools your address is zoned to. In Compare, pick the "Zoned schools" list for an address or a neighborhood you have pinned to see the same set side by side. Zoned schools are the traditional public schools your home address is assigned to under the current (2026-27) attendance boundaries. Magnet and charter options, which you apply to rather than being assigned, show up in your other lists.

Question 8

Where does your school data come from?

Accepted Answer

RYSE brings together official information from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NC DPI), and Mecklenburg County. We focus on student growth, which shows how much progress students make over time, instead of relying on a single rating. We also include programs, demographics, school characteristics, and address-based information. School boundaries and zone assignments reflect the 2026-27 school year. CMS updates these annually, and RYSE updates them as new files become available.

Question 9

Is my information private?

Accepted Answer

We never sell your data, and we never share your private information. We collect only what we need to make RYSE helpful, like your address for mapping schools. We also use analytics and session replay tools, but only if you accept them on your first visit. They show us where families get stuck so we can keep making RYSE better, and you can change your choice at any time from the footer of our public pages or your account settings. Our privacy policy explains exactly what we collect and the choices you have.

Question 10

What do the paid plans include?

Accepted Answer

RYSE has five plans. PREVIEW is free and lets you search every NC school with our better-than-ratings growth indicators. LEARN adds the 90-minute RYSE Live Workshop on how school choice really works and the missteps that lead to regret. SCHOOL SEARCH gives you your complete personalized list, schools we suggest for your family, and side-by-side comparison of your favorites. RELOCATOR adds tools for families moving to or within Charlotte, so you can see the schools available from each home or neighborhood. CONCIERGE adds one-on-one support from a real RYSE person through your whole process. Every paid plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and we offer scholarships too.

Question 11

Do you offer scholarships?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer 50% and 100% scholarships for families facing financial barriers. To apply, just email us at hello@rysekids.com and let us know you need support. We don't require documentation or proof - we trust you to tell us what you need. Our goal is to make RYSE accessible to every Charlotte family, regardless of financial situation. Your request will be handled with care and confidentiality.

Question 12

Do you work with schools or community organizations?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We partner with schools to sponsor a paid RYSE plan for families with students transitioning into their programs. We also work with community organizations to extend resources to the families they serve. If your school or organization wants to support families through RYSE, contact us at hello@rysekids.com. We're committed to building partnerships that expand access and support equitable school choice.

Question 13

Is there a money-back guarantee?

Accepted Answer

Yes, 100%, no questions asked. If a paid RYSE plan isn't helpful for your family, just let us know within 30 days and we'll refund your full payment. We want you to feel confident trying the platform, and we stand behind the value it provides. Your satisfaction matters to us, and we're here to support you however we can.

Question 14

What happens if I cancel?

Accepted Answer

RYSE plans do not renew on their own, so there is nothing to cancel and you will not be charged again. You keep everything in your plan through the end of your access period, and after that your account returns to the free PREVIEW plan. If you are within 30 days of your purchase, our money-back guarantee still applies.

Question 15

What happens if I delete my account?

Accepted Answer

Account deletion signs you out and ends any active plan. We hold your data for 30 days in case you change your mind. During that window, email tech@rysekids.com to restore. After 30 days, everything is permanently erased: saved schools, notes, ratings, addresses, and profile. Stripe transaction records stay (legal requirement) but are no longer linked to a live RYSE account.

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