WE ARE LNC
Together we learn, lead and serve TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Our School
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Our Students
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Our Parents
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Our Teachers, Staff and Administration
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Our Board of Education
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Our Extracurricular Activities
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Our Athletes
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OU R S CHOOL M is s ion , Va lu e s a n d Fa ct s L NC ’s Mis s ion L a k e Nor ma n C ha r te r Sc hool p r ovides a r ig or ous a n d c omp r ehen s ive e duc a tion a l en vir on me n t to deve l op s tude n ts with a f oc us on c ol l e g e r e a din e s s , l e a der s hip a n d s oc ia l r e s p on s ibil ity. L NC ’s C or e V a l ue s g uide the s c hool a n d a l l s ta k ehol der s a n d a r e f un da me n ta l to wha t we be l ie ve in . A t L a k e Nor ma n C ha r te r , the s tuden t body, p a r e n ts , c ommun ity, a n d s ta f f c ul tiva te a un iq ue c ul tur e of p a r tn er s hip , tr us t, s a f e ty a n d p r ide . Tog e ther , we a r e L NC L NC p r ovide s a n d s up p or ts a c ha l l e n g in g a c a de mic c ur r ic ul um, e mp owe r in g ea c h s tuden t to r ea l iz e he r or his f ul l a c a de mic p ote n tia l L NC de l ive r s a c omp r e he n s ive educ a tion a l e n vir on men t, en a bl in g p e r s on a l g r owth thr oug h p a r tic ip a tion in e x tr a c ur r ic ul a r a c tivitie s , a thl e tic s , c ommun ity s er vic e a n d L NC ’s L e a de r s hip in A c tion ™ P r og r a m L NC be l ie ve s in the imp or ta n c e of g l oba l dive r s ity a n d in c l us ivity, c e l e br a tin g a n d e mbr a c in g both wha t we ha ve in c ommon a s we l l a s wha t ma k e s e a c h of us un iq ue L NC r e ve r e s hon or , hig h e x p ec ta tion s a n d r es p on s ibl e c itiz e n s hip
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La ke Norma n Cha rt e r : Sup p or ts a mis s ion of l e a der s hip a n d s er vic e a n d r e q uir e s tha t a l l hig h s c hool s tude n ts c omp l ete a min imum of 40 hour s of c ommun ity s er vic e to g r a dua te . Over 8, 0 0 0 hour s of vol un te e r time is s er ved by our hig h s c hool s tude n ts ever y ye a r in the c ommun ity Sp on s or s a D a y of Se r vic e f or s tude n ts , s ta f f a n d p a r en ts to l e a d s e r vic e e f f or ts on c a mp us a n d in our c ommun ity I s g ove r n e d by a n a c tive B oa r d of Educ a tion tha t s up p or ts L NC ’s vis ion a n d mis s ion Of f er s 2 5 A dva n c e d P l a c emen t c our s es a n d 33 Hon or s c our s e s I n itia te d L e a de r s hip in A c tion ™ in 2 0 17 to te a c h our s tude n ts in va l ua bl e l if e s k il l s tha t wil l s e r ve the m wel l in f utur e a c a de mic emp l oyme n t p ur s uits a s we l l a s dis tin g uis h them f r om othe r c ol l eg e a p p l ic a n ts . L e a de r s hip in A c tion ™ oc c ur s in a n a g e a p p r op r ia te wa y over the c our s e of a s tude n t’s 13- ye a r jour n e y a t L NC . Celebrates and teaches the principles of The Knight Standard, which is the guiding expectation for everything we do at Lake Norman Charter. Teaching durable skills such as Online Responsibility, Critical Thinking, Integrity, Adaptability, Learner’s Mindset, Communication and Empathy fully armors LNC students for their future opportunities and challenges.
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Participates in the Career and College Promise program where students can earn college-level credit by being dually enrolled at LNC and Central Piedmont Community College Offers a 1:World program with all HS and MS students issued a personal school iPad or laptop for instruction and a dedicated Instructional Technology Facilitator at each school supports teachers and students and maximizes technology powers Offers 22 hours of Digital Citizenship training to all students during their middle school careers Features Student Commons, a.k.a. Knights Nook, and Knights Plaza at the HS to encourage student communication, collaboration and creative thinking
Celebrated its 25th year of providing education excellence to NC students in 2023, making it among the longest-serving charter schools in NC
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Focuses on two areas of strategic importance: THRIVE and Future Ready Teaches fifth grade students decision-making skills for healthy and safe living through the O.H.A.N.A. (Officers Helping Adolescents Navigate Anything) program Offers rich extra-curricular opportunities, including 45 varsity, JV and middle school athletic teams, wideranging and diverse clubs at the high, middle and elementary schools and strong band, drum line, STEM and visual arts programs Celebrated its 25th year of providing education excellence to NC students in 2023, making it among the longest-serving charter schools in NC
Teaches second grade students about healthy living choices through the Live Healthy Program Features a state of the art “DigCit” classroom and robotics lab as part of our MS media center Consistently attracts a large applicant pool with over 5,200 prospective students applying for the school lottery (2018-2026)
Enjoys a long-standing partnership with Huntersville Parks & Recreation Department sharing gym and community room facilities
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Academic Distinctions Received an “A” grade from the NC DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION in school years 20142025, placing LNC in the top 7% of all public schools for the 2024-2025 school year. Recognized by the NC DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION for exceeding Academic Growth for the second consecutive year (2024-2025, 2023-2024 (State did not issue school grades for the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school years due to the pandemic)
Received US NEWS & WORLD REPORTS’ recognition as among top 3% of ranked high schools nationwide (#570 out of 17,945) based on AP performance, academic proficiency, college readiness and graduation rates. (2026-2016) Other rankings by US News & World Reports: LNC High School #18 (out of 736) Best High School in North Carolina (top 2%) #5 (out of 155) Best High School in metro Charlotte (top 3%)
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LNC Middle School* #16 (out of 1,362) Best North Carolina Middle School (top 1%) (2026-2024)
LNC Elementary School* #18 (out of 2,142) Best North Carolina Elementary School (top 1%) (2026-2024)
* US News ranks middle and elementary schools within their
state only.
Recognized by NICHE.COM Received an A+ grade overall Received an A grade for academics Received an A+ grade for teachers #1 Best Public K-12 School in Mecklenburg County Top 1% of Best Public K-12 Schools in America Top 1% of Best Public High School Teachers in America Top 1% of Best Public Middle School Teachers in America Top 1% of Best Public Elementary School Teachers in America
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Awarded Platinum recognition on the AP SCHOOL HONOR ROLL for 2024-25. LNC earned this recognition based on the percentage of students who took an AP exam, the percentage who earned a score of “3” or better and the percentage who took 5 or more AP exams
Received Digital Citizenship certification from Common Sense Media (2017-2025)
Voted Lake Norman area’s Best Charter or Private School in the Lake Norman Media Group Normy Awards (2026, 2024 & 2022)
Received GREAT SCHOOLS Rating of 9/10 based on student progress, test scores and college readiness.(2026, 2025) One of only fifteen NC charter schools to be awarded the GreatSchools College Success Award. This award recognizes and celebrates public high schools across the country that excel at helping students enroll and succeed in college (2019-2021)
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Facilities
2007 - built 80,000 sq. foot middle school facility on Old Statesville Road in Huntersville 2009 - opened phase one of the high school located adjacent to the middle school, establishing the LNC campus
2013 - completed all phases of the 80,000 sq. foot high school facility.
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2016 - Improved main campus, created secondary egress 2016 - purchased 39 acres on Hambright Road for K-4 elementary school 2017 – developed sports and recreational fields on the elementary school land
2017 - developed elementary campus, including six mobile classrooms for the 201718 school year 2018 - upgraded high school main entrance to bolster security
2018 - updated MS media center to include a digital citizenship classroom and robotics lab
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2019 – built 72,000 sq. foot elementary school building on Hambright Road for kindergarten through 4th grade students
2020 – upgraded main campus recreational facilities, built press box and remodeled middle school to expand classroom space and enhance security
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2020 - built Knights Field including upgraded rubber track
2023 – built Knights Fieldhouse offering spectator bathrooms, Knights team store, concessions, ticket counter plus locker rooms, athletic trainer's room, coaches' space, officials' changing room and equipment storage
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2024 – purchased 20 acres on McIlwaine Road in Huntersville to build a second elementary school 2026 - opened second elementary school (West) on McIlwaine Road
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OUR STUDENTS Performance Metrics: State EOC Exams (2025) (2024) Exceeded expected growth on Biology, English II EOCs (2023) Exceeded expected growth on Biology, English II, Math III EOCs (2022) Student grade level proficiency was significantly higher than state and national levels (2023, 2021) Exams were waived in 2020 due to COVID.
College Admittance Tests SAT 2025 ERW 6002 (NC average-595, National average 521) Math 602 (NC average-597, National average 508) 2024 ERW 602 (NC average-591, National average519) Math 603 (NC average-576, National average505)
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2023 ERW 602 (NC average-567, National average510) Math 590 (NC average-556, National average493) 2022 ERW 589 (NC average-569, National average521) Math 579(NC average-561, National average507) 2021 ERW 592 (NC average-575, National average524) Math 584(NC average-572, National average514)
ACT 2025: Composite 23.3 (NC Average 18.2) 2024: Composite 23.6 (NC average 18.1) 2023: Composite 23.8 (NC average 18.2) 2022: Composite 23.0 (NC average 18.5) 2021: Composite 23.5 (NC average 18.9)
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Advanced Placement (AP) Exams AP exam proficiency: 2025 Students took 842 AP exams across 24 subjects which is the highest participation rate in the past 3 years 88% of our students taking AP exams earned proficiency. Proficiency is earning a level III, IV or V and nearly 2/3 of the students were top performers, earning a level IV or V Students demonstrated 100% proficiency in Biology Chemistry and AP World History 2024 86% of our students taking AP exams earned proficiency. Proficiency is earning a level III, IV, or V Students demonstrated 100% proficiency in Biology, Chemistry, Studio Art: 2-D, Studio Art: 3-D, African American Studies, Computer Science, Studio Art: Drawing Portfolio, World History: Modern Students scored at least 40% higher than the national average for 3 AP subjects, 30% higher than the national average for 5 AP subjects and at least 20% higher than the national average for 4 AP subjects 2023 82% of our students taking AP exams earned proficiency. Proficiency is earning a level III, IV, or V
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Students demonstrated 100% proficiency in Biology, Chemistry, U.S. Government Students scored at least 30% higher than the national average for 5 AP subjects and at least 20% higher than the national average for 13 AP subjects 2022 81.7% of our students taking AP exams earned proficiency
Students scored at least 20% higher than the national average for 10 AP subjects and students demonstrated 100% proficiency in Chemistry, English Literature, Studio Art:2-D 2021 76.3% of our students taking AP exams earned proficiency Students scored at least 30% higher than the national average for 5 AP subjects and were higher than the national average for 13 AP subjects
Student Honors National Merit Scholar Finalists & National Merit Scholar Semi-finalists (2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022) Students regularly accepted to Governor's School Students accepted yearly to the NC School of Science and Math Students accepted to US Military Academies
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Graduation Statistics Graduation rate:
100% (2026) 95% (2025) 99% (2024, 2020, 2018, 2017) 98% (2023, 2022, 2019) 96% (2021)
Graduates advancing to college: 97% (2026, 2024, 2020, 2018) 95% (2025) 96% (2023, 2017) 99% (2022, 2019) 94% (2021) Offered scholarship money: $4.5 million (2026) $2.8 million (2024) $4 million (2025, 2023) $7 million (2022) $5 million (2021) $11 million (2019) $9 million (2017, 2018) (Class of 2020 scholarship figure unavailable)
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OUR PARENTS
Founded our school in 1998 Lead active and involved PTO, volunteering their time and monetarily supporting instructional programs and teacher professional development while celebrating staff milestones and accomplishments Lead active and involved Athletic Boosters, supporting 46 athletic teams at the middle and high school levels Donated more than $5.3 million (2017-2026)
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OUR TEACHERS, STAFF & ADMINISTRATION 97.8% of our teachers are licensed, highly qualified, and teaching in their content area. 62% of our teachers are Nationally Board Certified and/or have advanced degrees One of the lowest teacher turnover rates in the state Elementary School teacher was named North Carolina Charter School Teacher of the Year (2025) (Stephanie Lane) Teacher won the Mathematical Association of America’s Edyth May Sliffe Award, which is given to teachers who have done outstanding work to motivate students in mathematics and participating in AMC competitions (2025) (Dr. Curtis Kendrick) Teacher recognized as an Outstanding Elementary Mathematics Teacher for 2024 at the NCCTM (North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics) Conference (2024) (Kimberly Pritchard) North Carolina Charter School Teacher of the Year Finalist (2024) (Demi Ckezepis)
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Teacher received the John L. Manear Outstanding NEHS Advisor Award (2026) (Melissa Smith) Teacher named American Association of Teachers of French Teacher of the Year (2022-2023) (Trudy Marinier) North Carolina Charter School Teacher of the Year Finalist (2022) (Dylan Scaringelli) HS teacher is author of three published books and is the creator of the #TeachLivingPoets movement. (2022) (Melissa Smith) Teacher named Youth Commission International Teacher-Sponsor of the Year for his leadership and advisory role in the YCI clubs at LNC MS and HS (2021) (Chad Herron) One of ten winners of the Gilder Lehrman Institute’s American History in 100 Documents: An Innovative Curriculum Contest (2021) North Carolina Charter School 2021-2022 Principal of the Year finalist (2021) (Michelle Holland) North Carolina Charter School Teacher of the Year Finalist (2018) (Casie Zamaira) North Carolina Guilder-Lehrman Social Studies Teacher of the Year (2018)
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Teacher selected to represent the state of North Carolina for the Presidential Awards of Excellence in Teaching Math and Science (2018) (Sarah Patterson) North Carolina Charter School Teacher of the Year (2016, 2015)
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OUR BOARD OF EDUCATION The LNC Board of Education is comprised of 9 members. The board's primary responsibility is school governance and to create policy. Board meetings are held once a month, typically on the first Wednesday of each month, at 7:00pm in the middle school media center. You can view the board calendar at this link and meeting minutes at this link. Board members are:
Craig Randall, Chair
Joana Sampson, Secretary
Landon Eustache
Jeffrey Flanagan, Vice Chair
Andrew Palladino, Treasurer
Nicole Benford
Erick Bowen
Jorge Gonzalez
Derik Screen
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OUR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES The Arts: 7th & 8th grade bands awarded Superior ratings at the NCBA South Central District band competition (2026) HS student awarded first place in the annual NC-12 Congressional Art Competition. The artwork was displayed in the US Capitol Cannon Tunnel (2024) HS student awarded National Gold Medal for her artwork in the National Scholastic Art and Writing Competition (2023, 2022, 2021) 8th grade chorus received Superior rating at the Carowinds Festival of Music (2023) 8th grade band earned a “Superior” rating (the highest possible) at the Busch Gardens Festival of Music and were the only middle school band to achieve this rating (2023) 8th grade band participated in the NC Music Performance Adjudication at Wingate University and received an “Excellent” rating (2023)
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HS students received High School Regional Scholastic Awards for their artistic work in the areas of personal essay and memoir, painting, printmaking, mixed media and drawing (2024, 2023, 2022, 2021) HS band received a “Superior” rating at the South Central District Music Performance Adjudication. (2022, 2019) 8th grade band received a bronze trophy at the Southern Star Music Festival (2019)
STEM: HS student was invited to participate in the Mathematical Olympiad Program (MOP) at Carnegie Mellon University (2024) Third grade students won the March 2024 North Carolina Prodigy State Tournament for Mathematics, collectively answering 3,139 math questions correctly (2024) Math team took first place in Math 1, Math 2, Math 3 and took 2nd place in Comprehensive at the Western Carolina University Mathematics contest (2023) MS student was the Level 1 State Champion at the NC Mathematics State Finals at UNC Asheville (2023)
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MS student qualified as one of four representatives for the NC MathCounts team that competed at the National Finals in Washington DC (2024) MS students won the grand prize in the Carolina Panthers, Honeywell & Digi-Bridge’s Futureshaper Sustainability Challenge by creating an innovative prototype for disposing of used peanut shells at ballgames (2023)
MS student was a member of the US Math Team at the Bulgarian International Mathematics Competition (BIMC) where he earned a gold medal for his outstanding individual performance (2023)
HS student was one of the youngest winners of the Fifth National Climate Assessment. She was invited to the White House and introduced the president as he announced his remarks (2023)
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MS student and HS student earned National Championship honors for their grade level at the MathCON Finals in Chicago (2023)
Third grade class won the NC Prodigy 3rd Grade Math Competition (2023)
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OUR ATHLETES In the 2011-12 athletic season, LNC began competing in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association as a 1A member. In the 2013-14 athletic season, NCHSSA realigned LNC to compete in the 2A class, and in 2021-22, in the 3A classification. In the 2025-26 athletic season, the NCHSSA moved LNC to the 4A classification.
4A Wells Fargo Cup Winner (2025) 3A Wells Fargo Cup Winner (2023-2024, 2022-2023, 2021-2022) 3A Wells Fargo Cup Runner-Up (2023-2024, 2022-2023, 2021-2022) 2A Wells Fargo Cup Runner-Up (2020-2021, 2018-2019, 2016-2017, 2015-2016, 2014-2015) 2A Wells Fargo Cup Winner (2017-2018) 2A/3A Conference Wells Fargo Cup Winner (20152016) 1A Wells Fargo Cup Winner (2012-2013)
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS Cheerleading 3 State Championship Medium Varsity Division (2019, 2018, 2017)
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Cross Country (Men’s) 2A State Champions (2016) Cross Country (Women’s) 2A State Champions (2017) NC Gatorade Runner of the Year (Mariah Howlett 2017) Mariah Howlett invited to Footlocker Nations (placed 20th) (2017) 1A State Champions (2011) Golf (Men’s) 2A State Champions (2021, 2019) Golf (Women’s) 4A State Champions (2025)
Lacrosse (Men’s) 1A/2A/3A State Champions (2024, 2023, 2022) Soccer (Women’s) 3A State Champion (2022) 2A State Champions (2021) 1A State Champions (2013) NC Gatorade Women’s Soccer Player of the Year (Ayden Yates 2019, Asha Means 2021) Volleyball 4A State Champion (2025)
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Track & Field (Men‘s) 4A State Champions (2026)
Track (Women’s) State Champion 800 meter (Lily Yampolsky) (2024) 2A Individual State Champ (Chioma Asiegbunam, Katie Eisley, Ryan Selden, Jordyn Earl Girls 4x2) (2019) 2A State Champions (2018) 2A Individual State Champ (Mariah Howlett 3200 & 1600) (2018) 2A Individual State Champ (Chioma Asiegbunam, Jordyn Earl, Kiya Means, Destiny Benson 4 x 100) (2018) Tennis (Men’s) 4A Individual State Champ (Tejas Sridhar-Singles) (2026)
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Tennis (Women’s) 3A Dual Team State Champions (2023) 2A State Champions (2016, 2014, 2015) 2A Individual State Champ (Olivia Archer-Singles) (2016) 1A Individual State Champ (Hannah Archer-Singles (2012) 2A Individual State Champ (Hannah & Olivia Archer-Doubles) (2014, 2015)
Swim & Dive 4A State Men’s Champion (2026) 4A State Women’s Champion (2026)
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3A State Women’s Champion (2025) 3A State Champ (Addison Lasarsky, Lily Price, Skye Yampolsky, Campbelle Cyrus-200 Medley Relay) (2025) 3A State Champ (Skye Yampolsky, Lily Price, Dakota Gayle, Campb 1 7e l l e C y r u s - 4 0 0 F r e e s t y l e Relay) (2025) 3A State Women’s Champion (2024) 3A State Champ (Hayden Schroeder-1M Diving) (2024, 2023) 3A State Champ (Madilyn Varnum-1M Diving) (2024) 2A State Champ (Harrison Powe-200 Free) (2021) 2A State Champ (Harrison Powe-100 Breast) (2021) 2A State Champ (Kyle Hawkins, Devin Buckler, Ethan Hill, Harrison Powe-400 Free Relay) (2021) 2A State Champ (Sean Odell-1M Diving) (2020) 2A State Champ (Ariel Hopper-100 Fly) (2019) 2A State Champ (Jennifer Schimmoller-500 Free) (2019) 2A State Champ (Ariel Hopper, Mattie Luther, Riggan Ayscue, Anna Rubel-200 Free Relay) (2019)2A State Champ (Ariel Hopper-100 Back) (2019) 2A State Champ (Harrison Powe-100 Free) (2019) 2A State Champ (Ariel Hopper, Mattie Luther, Riggan Ayscue, Anna Rubel-200 Free Relay) (2019)2A State Champ (Ariel Hopper-100 Back) (2019) 2A State Champ (Harrison Powe-100 Free) (2019) 2A State Champ (Anna Rubel, Mattie Luther, Ariel Hopper, Riggan Ayscue-200 Medley Relay) (2018)
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2A State Champ (Ariel Hopper-100 Free) (2018) 2A State Champ (Mattie Luther, Ariel Hopper, Riggan Asycue, Anna Rubel-400 Free Relay) (2018) 2A State Champ (Anna Rubel, Kara Jones, Mattie Luther, Riggan Ayscue-200 Medley Relay) (2017, 2018) 2A State Champ (Rigg 1 7a n A y s c u e - 1 0 0 B r e a s t ) ( 2 0 1 7 ) 2A State Champ (Riggan Ayscue-200 IM) (2017) 2A State Champ (Padgett Powe-500 Free) (2016) 2A State Champ (Sean Powers, Corrin Rothwell, Padgett Powe, John Creel-200 Free Relay) (2015) 2A State Champ 2A State Champ (Drew Queen-200 IM) (2014) 2A State Champ (Chris Cardwell, Drew Queen, Corrin Rothwell, Austin Jones-200 Medley Relay) (2013) 2A State Champ (Chris Cardwell-100 Fly) (2013) 2A State Champ (Chris Cardwell-100 Back) (2013) 2A State Champ (Emma Rubel-200 Free) (2012) 2A State Champ (Emma Rubel-50 Free) (2012) 2A State Champ (Adyson Lowe-1 M Diving) (2012) 2A State Champ (Brian Piccirilli-50 Free) (2012) MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETICS CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHPS: MS Tennis (2025) MS Golf (2025) MSBaseball (2025, 2019, 2012, 2011, 2008, 2006) Girls’ Basketball (2018, 2013) Football (2017) Boys’ Cross Country (2017, 2013) Girls’ Soccer (2017, 2011, 2008) Softball (2014, 2013, 2011, 2008, 2006) Boys’ Basketball (2013, 2008, 2007) Girls’ Cross Country (2013, 2005) Volleyball (2012, 2008, 2007, 2006)
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