Ardrey Kell High School

I am a parent at AK and know that high school is never an easy experience. I believe that a great majority of the administration and staff at AK have what's best for the students in mind. The High school can be the best years of your life or end up not living up to what you always hoped it would be. There are health conditions and issues that can affect attendance and in some situations, the students feel, not necessarily at AK, that they are being blamed for being sick, and they get frustrated. Knowing that there are people at the school who are there to support them is key. The nurse at AK is incredible and is always looking out for the kids specific conditions and/or needs. The attendance/office staff in my experience has been there to listen and help out when they can. The kids just need to know they are being treated for their individual situations whatever the case might be and they can feel more at ease.
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently a student here at ak. I just moved to Charlotte this year. Ive made a couple friends but overall kids are not welcoming, they arent really mean simply not welcoming, you have to talk to them. There is a "must wear this" I guess it is a little snobby but that's not really a problem in this school. I just think there should be more activities in the classrooms so students can know each other!. Its not fun to sit alone in the cafeteria or to feel really bad! Like I said Im new so i dont know if with time i will make more friends etc I hope I do. The teachers are really nice and the staff the same. I rate a 3 star because not everyday I feel happy here but I think once you find your group of your friends you are set! ( I hope) There is not really a "popular" crowd probably because its so big. It really is! And I don't think gossip is a problem either. I'd like to repeat how nice the teachers and staff are they really are! As for the other good schools in Charlotte I'm pretty sure the problems would be the same. Oh! there is also a lot of school spirit which is fun! and clubs are also really really fun!
—Submitted by a student

I too used to go to ardrey kell, and i loved it there for the most part. Some of the teachers were really good and some were really bad. Like most students i did get picked on but i sucked it up. Then there was one which made me question why she was hired in the first place she couldnt control the class, didnt follow through on punishment, and i almost flunked because of her. Now i have learned that her teaching style just didnt mesh with my learning style.
—Submitted by a student

We have one child that has graduated from AK and one sophomore currently attending. We have been extremely pleased with the school and the overall experience. It is a challenging school that has required our kids to put forth their best effort and we have appreciated that. Our college student has been well prepared for the requirements at the next level. The faculty is caring but is always is focused on the business of educating our kids. Both of our children are involved in athletics and the athletics at Ardrey Kell are run at the highest level.
—Submitted by a parent

Ardrey Kell is a fantastic school. My child has had an excellent experience. I know he will be more than ready for college when the time comes. Yes, it is a competitive school, but that in itself is a plus point.
—Submitted by a parent

I would just like to say, from my own personal experience, that most of the teachers at Ardrey Kell are amazing and are excellent at their job. However, there are some teachers that are terrible and should have never been hired in the first place. During my freshman year, i took a required course of cms... I ended up failing, and so did more than half of the students taking that course. It wasnt our fault they were a terrible teacher. I realize that life is unfair, but it's just completely ridiculous that over half of the students of that course failed and have to live with it on their record for colleges to see. I studied my butt off and completed every homework assignment of hers that took 2-3 hours every night... and all it got me was a failing grade and to retake the course this year. go knights...
—Submitted by a student

I am reading the reviews here and I am stunned. I have had two students graduate out of AK and one currently attending. It appears that the "integration" of students doesn't appeal to a lot of the parents who are commening on this site. In the real world, there is integration. In the real world, some people succeed and some people fail. In many cases, those students who are failing merely don't give a crap. If they did, they would succeed, regardless of the "teachers" or the "front office." How any fair-minded individual could rate this school poorly leaves me baffled. Quit blaming the school for your child's failure. Take a look in the mirror and start blaming yourself.
—Submitted by a parent

horrible! This school is a joke. Not only was my child crudely neglected by staff and teachers, but I was treated with indifference also. I understand the lack of teachers in this area recently, but for Ardrey Kell to keep horrible teachers who can't even teach is unacceptable. They are irresponsible, cannot do their jobs properly the first OR second time. Horrible school.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a first class school with a wonderful principal and dedicated staff. AK as we call it is the envy of all high schools in the greater Charlotte area. This is not an "inner city" school as some reviews claim- far from it. This school is in the suburbs in Southeast Charlotte outside of the 485 loop. This is the best High School in Charlotte come and see it for yourself. The kids are respectful and well mannered and involved in the school. Ardrey Kell academically and athletically is the best overall choice and more challenging than most privates schools as well. I encourage those that are looking for a quality education for your children in the nicest area of Charlotte to come to the "CASTLE" and see this first class facility for yourselves.
—Submitted by a parent

I have nothing but good things to say about Ardrey Kell High School and the staff. I have two children there. My son is a graduating Senior and my daughter a Junior. What has made Ardrey Kell such a positive experience is the dedication of the teachers and staff to the well-being of my children. I have received personal notes from many teachers offering extra help and assistance to my children academically. My children have had an exceptionally positive experience with several teachers who are not only academically excellent, but personally dedicated to their success! Their counselor has gone out of her way to work professionally and personally to ensure both of my children received what they needed to succeed. Ardrey Kell has been a huge blessing to the lives of my children academically and personally! I highly recommend it!
—Submitted by a parent

Here it is plain and simple. One year after my son failed the ninth grade at Ardrey Kell (WITH AN IEP). He earned the President s Academic Achievement Award for the 2009-2010 school year, at the high school in the Cabarrus County school district. By all means parents, please consider a different school district all together if you are new to Charlotte. Test scores in Union County and Cabarrus County schools are comparable, but what makes them superior is the fact that the staff actually cares about and is committed to teaching your children.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a joke as is the whole Mecklenburg school district. Unfortunately, we are not "allowed" to mention names here (which makes those accountable for the mess free of criticism but it's OK, I guess you all who have been involved with Meck Schools know who I am talking about!). If you can choose, move as far away as possible from this district!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is very unprofessional. Many teachers, as well as administrators are more concerned with themselves than the well-being of the students. My child had a teacher who lost my child's homework. This happened so frequently that my child had to re-do every single homework assignment 3-4 times before recieveing a grade. Another teacher gave my child all C's. When I e-mailed her about it, she did not respond. After talking with an Administrator, his excuse for the teacher's poor behaviour was that she was, 'way to busy to respond.' This teacher had 2 weeks to respond. That is plently of time. After having a confrence with the teacher, she told me that my child did not put forth effort in the class, nor, completed any assignments. I found this to be highly unlikely. My child works very hard on schoolwork. AK is not a good school at all.
—Submitted by a parent

We also moved here from out of state, but I have to say this is NOT an inner city school at all. If you think it is, then clearly you've never been to one. Academically it rivals Lakeside in Seattle where we come from (ie Bill Gates, Paul Allen alumni). I've found the teachers to be challenging, caring, and very professional. Socially, it's very hard to start as a freshman or new student in such a large school, and the rules and discipline at Ardrey Kell are very strict. The front office may be a hit or miss, but there are some very nice people in there and I have only had friendly experiences. All in all if your student is college bound, this is an excellent school with top scores!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a ninth grader at Ardrey Kell and have recently moved here from out of state. Academically, I find AK to be superb. The work is challenging, but not impossible. I love every single one of my teachers that I've had this year. In all of my classes that require a state mandated EOC exam, the bulk of the scores were 4's(highest possible score) and a few were 3's. Unfortunately, the social aspect of the school is not as great. Although the student are nice, many are not very welcoming. I had a difficult time adjusting until I got into theatre at AK, which has been an absolutely wonderful experience. The atmosphere at Ardrey Kell leaves something to be desired, as almost everything is a hard-and-fast rule with no exceptions. I also feel that it is run almost militarily by the administration. Overall, my experience at AK has been positive.
—Submitted by a student

wow, i cannot believe what is being said about this school. My child is a 10th grader here and is academically being challenged. Has been put in AP classes. She came from a small private school and so this was a huge adjustment going in to public school and a large school. I actually do a lot of volunteer work at AK and I have found the students to be very well behaved and respectful. Obviously all schools have their share of problems but I would certainly not put AK down as being some huge problem school. The school has only been in existence for 4 years. I am sorry that you are not happy at the school. Please also don't forget that we as parents need to keep our kids in check and it is not the schools job to do what parents should be doing!
—Submitted by a parent

Our family moved here from out of state and moved specifically to the area because Ardrey Kell was supposed to be an excellent school. One of the parents described this as an inner city school and I completely agree. We have lived in 6 states and this is by far the worst of the worst school experiences our family has had. There is far too much hype about test scores and exemplary teaching. The drug activity going on both inside this school and on the grounds should cause great concern! The drop out rate for those that can't seem integrate into the robotic template of this schools mentality is truly sad. My child has attended many wonderful schools prior to moving to Ardrey Kell but has lost interest. I caution any parent moving from out of state to this school to strongly reconsider! Horrible!!
—Submitted by a parent

I have a child at Ardrey kell, and I agree with the parent who said it's the worst experience of a parent or student's life. The staff in the office couldn't be bothered to welcome parents or students. There is no 'high class click' or a 'must wear the right stuff' attitude here. I wish there were, it may make the school better quality. It is a typical inner city school. and all that, that implies. If you are a parent like I was, moving from out of state to Charlotte and investigating schools by searching the web, then save yourself a nightmare and don't believe this school's hype.
—Submitted by a parent

I went to another top-rated private school in Charlotte and comparing the two Ardrey Kell is extremely similar, if not better, in many regards. My teachers are all excellent and extremely engaging.
—Submitted by a student

I think it's sad that the #3 school in the entire state has parents giving it a horrible review. I have worked at schools in several states and AK is by far the best of the best. With a 92% proficiency rate, it's the best school in the district, rivaling Providence and many of the private schools. The teachers I know strive for excellence in their classroom and the kids rise to the challenge. Most of the kids who fail are those who lack guidance and support from their parents, not the school as EVERY, yes EVERY dept. offers before/after school tutoring. That's not a CMS thing, it's an AK thing because we want students to succeed. If you want to have your child be in a competetive, real-world challenging, yet loving environment - send them here and I'll be proud to teach em'.
—Submitted by a teacher