What is RYSE Explorer?

RYSE Explorer is a free tool that helps families explore North Carolina public schools—all in one place. You can compare charter, magnet, and traditional schools, see how well they support student growth, and learn about transportation zones and programs. Some data, like demographics and transportation zones, are currently available only for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Families can also upgrade to access a complete list of public school options in the Charlotte area, plus tools to favorite schools, take notes, and stay organized. Our goal is to help families understand all of their options and make informed choices to find a school that’s a great fit for their child!

Where does RYSE get its data?

All data in RYSE Explorer come directly from official public sources such as the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (the state agency that oversees public schools), Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), and Mecklenburg County GIS. Each dataset is cited on this page so families can see exactly where information comes from and learn more. 

What does “academic growth” mean?

Academic growth shows how much progress students made during a school year compared to other students across North Carolina who started the year in a similar place academically. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) measures this through the Education Value-Added Assessment System (EVAAS), which estimates whether students made more, less, or about the same amount of progress as students who began the year at similar academic levels statewide.

Rather than telling families how high students’ test scores are—which often reflects factors beyond the school—academic growth helps families understand how effectively a school is helping students move forward, regardless of where they started.

In RYSE Explorer, if a school is meeting growth expectations, students are making roughly the same amount of progress as their peers across the state. If a school is exceeding growth expectations for students with special needs, for example, it means those students are making more academic progress than others statewide who began with similar scores. If a school is not meeting growth expectations in math, it means students made less progress than expected during that school year.

Why do you show three years of academic growth?

No single data point should determine whether a family keeps or crosses a school off their list. Growth scores, like other indicators, can vary from year to year, so RYSE provides three years of data to help families spot patterns. By noticing trends over time, families can ask informed questions that lead to deeper insights and a clearer sense of whether a school might be a good fit.

Why doesn’t RYSE show test scores or A–F school grades?

A–F or 1–10 style school grades mostly reflect average test scores, which research shows can be highly misleading indicators of school quality. RYSE focuses on growth because it’s a stronger measure of how effectively schools help students move forward academically—something most families want to understand. During our RYSE Live Workshops, we explore this topic further and show families how to find high-quality, trustworthy information when choosing schools.

What does “Magnet Focus” mean?

A magnet focus describes a school’s special area of study—like STEM, arts, or language immersion. You can learn more about each focus type by following the links on this CMS website. 

What are transportation zones and How can I find mine?

Students who live within a school’s transportation zone receive priority in the school lottery and are eligible for CMS bus transportation. Students living outside a zone can still apply to a magnet school in another zone but must provide their own transportation unless the school offers Express Stops—centralized pick-up and drop-off locations for families who live outside a school’s main zone. You can learn more about Express Stops on the CMS Transportation Services page.

To find your transportation zone, visit the Mecklenburg County GeoPortal and enter your home address.

How can I figure out what my home schools are?

To see which schools your address is zoned for, visit the Mecklenburg County GeoPortal and enter your home address. The map will show your assigned elementary, middle, and high schools. These same home schools automatically appear in your custom ‘My List’ when you use RYSE Explorer.”