Lake Norman Charter School

LNC is a wonderful school. Students that care about their academics and learn to be good citizens, parents that are involved, teachers that go above and beyond to help students succeed, and administrators that are accessable and visable. I have read some of the other reviews and while I think that the number of classes can be challenging with the homework, I also think that they need to realize that LNC is a rigorous, college prep school as the charter commands them to be. I for one am thankful for the efforts of everyone to make a great school for my student to be.
--Submitted by a parent

The biggest complaint I have about this school is they confuse rigor and quality of education with quantity. It is virtually impossible to have a high achieving child that combine honors, AP classes and sports or other outside activities and maintain any sense of normalcy. They try to make parents believe this is what it takes to prepare our kids for college, but as a parent of an older child who graduated in the top of her class at a regular public school and went on to one of the top schools in the state, I can assure you this is not true. My child at the Univ. has way more free time than my high schooler and this is not about time management. My child is a straight A student at LNC, but at great sacrifice. It was pretty much impossible for her to enjoy Thanksgiving and that will be true for Christmas because of the continuing homework and projects. Secondarily, I agree with the other comments that the administration is very unresponsive, very unhelpful and one borders on being a bully with parents and kids. We will be rethinking this decision at the end of this year.
--Submitted by a parent

I have two students at this school - have dealt with both the middle school and high school, while I agree with some of the previous comments regarding the faculty - particularly in the office & admin they do not return calls or emails.. Yes the teachers are tough but they are preparing kids for college. Most complaints I hear come from families not prepared to deal th being "involved" in the child's education, to which I say - duh - its a Charter school, it's built on the backs of the families... its just a step up from home schooling. You don't choose a charters school unless your ready to drive them to school, help with activities, pay for activities etc... I agree car pool is mismanaged (a nightmare is an overstatement.. Some of the faculty are young and inexperienced which makes for some msitakes in dealing with the kids needs, its not much different in the public schools. The big difference is that teachers actually want to come here. The real "nightmare" is the amount of homework doled out and the limited time given for projects... they spend more time at home doing school work than they do at school.
--Submitted by a parent

I am entering this review for my daughter, whose son was suppose to graduate from Lake Norman Charter school this past June. He did not pass Spanish, so was told he could not graduate. My daughter then called the school, and they were going to retest him, and promised to call back. They do not call back. The employees in the office are rude, and the principal is also rude. It is October and the student still doesn't have his diploma, although he has taken Spanish, passed it and turned in his grades to the school. They told my daughter they don't know how to get a diploma to him, and they are working on it. Shame on Lake Norman!!

When I first came during the high school's first year, the school was amazing. The academics were great and the teachers were passionate about the education of the students. As more grades have been added, the school has moved away from 2007. With the majority of the kids coming from the middle school, the high school has now become just like the middle school, bureaucratic. The administration does what ever the parents want. After the recent snow days, the exam schedule was changed two or three times. Kids were told to bring their materials home in case of snow but they didn't. When parents were notified of the change, some complained that there student bring home the materials so the schedule was changed back. The high school is now filled with helicopter parents that blame the teachers for their child's poor grades when in reality, it's the student. Let's just say I am glad to be getting out.

Not happy with this school. Very focused on EOG results and teaching to the test. Will address concerns but get no results from discussing it. Average kids fall through the cracks big time. Get lots of attention if you are a high-achieving student. Lots of pressure on the kids. Lecture on bullying, but it goes on all the time here. Slowly weeding out the kids who aren't ones who excell. And carpool? What a nightmare......
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent school! Have had children in both the middle and high school. High expectations for students! Will more than prepare them for college! More than 1200 students applied for 2010-2011 school year, just over 200 got in.......that should speak volumes!
--Submitted by a parent

It's only excellent academically and clean wise because there is its drama.
--Submitted by a student

We have been very happy with LNCS for our middle school students who have both excelled here. We have found the teachers to have high expectations, but that is what we want for our kids. Great School!
--Submitted by a parent

I have 3 children at LNCS. They are all excelling and very happy. The Teachers Staff and Administration really care and teach the children respect, responsibility and how to show great character.
--Submitted by a parent