Davidson NC Schools Guide 2025: Mecklenburg vs Iredell Districts Explained

The Geographic Reality Behind School Assignment

Davidson's location across Mecklenburg, Iredell, and Cabarrus county lines fundamentally shapes educational experiences for local families. The majority of Davidson falls within Mecklenburg County and is served by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), while the northern portion extends into Iredell County under Iredell-Statesville Schools (I-SS).

This division extends far beyond administrative boundaries—it determines property taxes, educational opportunities, and long-term home values. The school districts serving Davidson are Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Iredell-Statesville Schools, which should not be confused with Davidson County Schools that serve a completely different Davidson County in North Carolina. Understanding which county your Davidson home sits in has direct implications for both the taxes you'll pay and the schools your children will attend.

Ready to find the perfect Davidson home in your preferred school district? Schedule a consultation with our local experts to explore your options.

Davidson K-8 School (Now Davidson Elementary)

Most Davidson residents are assigned to Davidson K-8 School, located at 635 South Street. This Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools facility underwent significant changes for the 2025-26 academic year, reverting from a K-8 model back to serving only grades K-5.

School Performance Highlights:

• Ranks in the top 30% of North Carolina elementary schools
• 9/10 GreatSchools Rating with A- overall Niche grade
• 1,185 students with a 16:1 student-teacher ratio
• Curriculum differentiation used in every classroom
• Child-centered learning environment

The transition back to K-5 occurred after a five-year experiment with the K-8 model. School officials cited family preferences for “more of a traditional middle school experience,” as some sports and activity clubs were shared between Bailey and Davidson while others weren't available at all to Davidson students.

Bailey Middle School: The New Middle School Pathway

As of fall 2025, Davidson students in grades 6-8 living in Mecklenburg County attend Bailey Middle School in Cornelius. Located at 11900 Bailey Road, Bailey experienced a 28% enrollment increase to approximately 1,650 students when Davidson middle schoolers transferred.

Bailey Middle School Achievements:

• A- overall Niche grade with strong academics (A grade)
• 18:1 student-teacher ratio
• Added 22 new classroom and staff positions to accommodate Davidson students
• Comprehensive middle school programs, sports, and extracurriculars

William Amos Hough High School: The CMS High School Option

Davidson residents in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools system feed into William Amos Hough High School in Cornelius. Opened in 2010 to relieve crowding at North Mecklenburg High School, Hough serves the Lake Norman towns of Huntersville, Cornelius, and Davidson.

Academic Excellence at Hough:

• Over 2,500 students enrolled
• 93% graduation rate
• 85% math proficiency and 84% reading proficiency
• Average SAT score of 1,250 and ACT score of 28
• Average GPA of 3.59
• Recognized as one of the top 10% of schools nationally
• Extensive Advanced Placement course offerings
• Over half of faculty hold master's or doctorate degrees
• 22 staff members with National Board Certification

Elementary School Excellence: Coddle Creek and Woodland Heights

Families living in northern Davidson's Iredell County portion typically attend either Coddle Creek Elementary or Woodland Heights Elementary, both consistently ranking among North Carolina's top elementary schools.

Coddle Creek Elementary Performance:

• Top 30% of North Carolina schools
• 69% math proficiency (top 20% statewide)
• 61% reading proficiency (top 30% statewide)
• 75-79% science proficiency (top 20% statewide)
• 725 students with a 15:1 ratio

Woodland Heights Elementary Excellence:

• Consistently ranks among top elementary schools in North Carolina
• 620 students with a 15:1 ratio
• A- overall Niche grade
• Mission to challenge “students to be responsible and caring problem-solvers and life-long learners”

Woodland Heights Middle School

Iredell County Davidson students in grades 6-8 attend Woodland Heights Middle School, which maintains the district's tradition of smaller learning environments and strong academic performance.

Middle School Highlights:

• 542 students with a 15:1 ratio
• A- overall Niche grade
• 71% math proficiency and 63% reading proficiency
• Continuation of elementary school's strong foundation

Lake Norman High School: The I-SS Pathway

The Iredell-Statesville pathway culminates at Lake Norman High School in Mooresville, a well-established institution that achieved remarkable milestones in 2025.

Lake Norman High School Achievements:

• 91.1% graduation rate—the highest in over 10 years and above the state average of 87.7%
• 1,964 students with a 23:1 ratio
• A- overall Niche grade
• 2012 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence award winner
• Competitive athletics including state championships in multiple sports

Interested in exploring Davidson neighborhoods within specific school districts? Our team can help you navigate the options. Contact us today for personalized guidance.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Historic Progress

CMS achieved what Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill described as “historic” progress in 2024-25, with unprecedented improvements across multiple metrics.

Growth Rankings:

• Ranked 10th out of 115 NC districts for percent of schools meeting or exceeding growth—the highest ranking in CMS history
• 89.1% of schools (156 total) met or exceeded growth expectations
• 65.7% of schools (115 total) exceeded growth—both district records

School Performance Improvements:

• 123 schools (70%) earned A, B, or C grades—21 more than the prior year
• 55 schools improved their letter grades—another district record
• 31 schools removed from “low-performing” designation—the largest single-year decrease in district history
• Only 32 schools (18%) now have low-performing status, down from 32%

Proficiency Increases:

• Reading (grades 3-8): +5.2%
• Math (grades 3-8): +4.6%
• Math III: +8.2%
• 56% of students achieving grade-level proficiency compared to the state's 55%

Iredell-Statesville Schools Steady Excellence

I-SS demonstrated positive momentum in 2024-25, building on years of consistent performance and achieving significant milestones.

Growth Achievements:

• 20 of 35 schools met or exceeded academic growth expectations
• 24 schools increased their overall growth score
• 91.1% graduation rate—up from 86.5%, the highest in over 10 years

Notable District Performance:

• Fourth-grade reading: +5.3% proficiency (from 51.7% to 57%)
• District ranks 119th out of 242 NC districts with a 3-star SchoolDigger rating
• 58% math proficiency rate (versus 51% statewide)
• 54% reading proficiency (versus 50% statewide)

2023-24 Tax Rates Comparison

Annual Savings in Iredell County: $223

Important Note: These figures reflect county taxes only and do not include municipal taxes from the Town of Davidson, which apply to all Davidson residents regardless of county. Total property tax bills will include both county and municipal components, with the municipal portion remaining consistent across all Davidson addresses while county taxes vary by location.

Over a 10-year homeownership period, Iredell County residency saves approximately $2,230 in county taxes alone, though total tax savings will be less when accounting for Davidson's municipal taxes.

For more detailed information about Davidson's unique county divisions and their implications, explore our comprehensive guides on living near Davidson College and Davidson NC property taxes.

Community School of Davidson

Community School of Davidson stands as Davidson's premier charter option, serving grades K-12 across two campuses at 565 Griffith Street (Lower School K-7) and 404 Armour Street (Upper School 8-12).

Performance Recognition:

• #7 Best Charter High School in North Carolina
• A overall Niche grade
• 1,572 students with an 18:1 ratio
• U.S. News “Best” High School Award recipient

Lottery Process: CSD conducts an annual public lottery in February for the following school year, with general lottery registration from November 1 through January 31.

Lake Norman Charter School

Located in nearby Huntersville, Lake Norman Charter School consistently ranks among North Carolina's top charter schools.

Outstanding Achievements:

• #3 Best Charter High School in NC
• A overall Niche grade with 2,212 students
• 99% graduation rate in 2025
• 95% of graduates advancing directly to college
• Class of 2025 offered more than $4 million in scholarship money
• 92% of AP exam takers earned proficient scores or above

Pine Lake Preparatory

Pine Lake Preparatory in Mooresville offers another excellent K-12 charter option, ranking #5 Best Charter High School in NC with an A overall Niche grade and serving 1,885 students with a 16:1 ratio.

Looking for more information about Lake Norman area schools and communities? Check out our guides on Lake Norman town comparisons and pros and cons of living in various Lake Norman communities.

Davidson Day School

Davidson Day School serves as Davidson's premier private institution for ages 2 through 12th grade.

Academic Excellence:

• #22 Best Private High School in NC
• A+ overall Niche grade
• 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio
• 100% college acceptance for all graduates
• Class of 2025 offered $7.4 million in merit awards
• 13 average class size with 20 AP courses

Cannon School

Located in nearby Concord, Cannon School serves PreK-12 students and ranks #16 Best Private High School in NC with an A+ overall Niche grade, serving 1,046 students with an 11:1 ratio.

Address-Based Assignment Process

Public school assignments are determined solely by your street address. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools provides an online School Finder tool where you can enter your address to determine assigned schools.

County Verification Methods

Since Davidson spans three counties with some streets having properties assigned to different counties on opposite sides, precise address verification is essential. Verify your county assignment through:

• County tax assessor records
• Property deed information
• Town of Davidson planning department (704-892-7591)
• CMS School Finder tool for Mecklenburg County properties
• Direct contact with Iredell-Statesville Schools for northern Davidson addresses

Critical for Boundary Properties: Properties near county lines require extra verification, as school assignments and tax obligations can differ significantly between neighboring homes.

Important Note: Some Davidson streets may have homes on both sides assigned to different counties and therefore different school districts. This boundary variation is critical for homebuyers to verify, as properties on the same street may fall under different county tax jurisdictions and school systems. Always verify your specific address rather than assuming based on proximity to avoid unexpected school assignments or tax obligations.

1. Complete K-12 Educational Pathway

Understanding the full educational trajectory is crucial for long-term planning:

Mecklenburg County Path:

• Davidson K-8 (K-5) → Bailey Middle → Hough High

Iredell County Path:

• Coddle Creek or Woodland Heights Elementary → Woodland Heights Middle → Lake Norman High

2. Long-Term Tax Impact

The approximately $220 annual difference between Mecklenburg and Iredell property taxes compounds significantly over time, making county selection a crucial financial consideration.

3. School Performance Trajectory

Both districts demonstrated strong 2024-25 performance, with CMS achieving historic growth numbers and I-SS reaching its highest graduation rate in over a decade.

4. Charter School Lottery Timing

If considering charter schools, understand that lottery registration typically runs November through January for the following school year, with sibling preferences applying at most schools.

5. Middle School Transition Benefits

The recent change reverting Davidson K-8 to K-5 means Mecklenburg County families now experience a traditional middle school transition at Bailey, providing access to more comprehensive programs, sports, and extracurriculars.

Ready to explore Davidson homes in your preferred school district? Schedule a consultation with our Davidson specialists who understand the nuances of school assignments and county boundaries.

What determines which school district my Davidson home is assigned to?

Your exact street address determines school district assignment, as Davidson spans multiple counties. Homes in Mecklenburg County are served by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, while those in Iredell County attend Iredell-Statesville Schools. Use the CMS School Finder tool or contact the Town of Davidson planning department to verify your specific assignment.

How much can I save in property taxes by choosing Iredell County over Mecklenburg County?

Iredell County residents save approximately $223 annually in county property taxes compared to Mecklenburg County residents on a $250,000 home. Over a 10-year period, this represents savings of approximately $2,230, though individual savings will vary based on home value and assessment changes.

Can I choose to attend charter schools regardless of which county my Davidson home is located in?

Yes, charter schools like Community School of Davidson, Lake Norman Charter, and Pine Lake Preparatory accept students through lottery systems regardless of county boundaries. However, admission is competitive and requires participation in annual lottery processes typically held between November and February.

For additional insights into Davidson's unique community characteristics, explore our resources on commuting from Davidson NC to Charlotte and Lake Davidson vs Lake Norman comparisons.