The $2.5 billion bond referendum funds 30 high-priority projects focused on providing significant benefits for students and staff. These projects will improve educational environments, offer more academic options, alleviate overcrowding, and renovate and replace aging CMS facilities. Learn more about the progress of these projects in our quarterly newsletter. | | Northwest School of the Arts Furniture Move-In | | Exciting news for Northwest School of the Arts, the brand‑new Building G is officially complete! We caught up with students and faculty to hear their first impressions of the new creative space. | | Check out the status of the school projects while ones are in construction, other projects are gearing up to start work soon, all part of the 2023 Bond. Our commitment to building for excellence is in full motion. Stay tuned as we transform learning spaces across the district! | | |
Project Status
Cato Ridge Middle School
Cato Ridge Middle School is steadily rising as it heads toward its August 2026 opening. The football and softball fields are already complete, and fresh concrete curbs frame the site as the brick exterior highlights the shape of the building. Inside, classrooms are coming to life with vibrant paint colors that reflect the school’s unique brand and spirit. Every construction new milestone brings the campus closer to welcoming students through its doors.
| | We joined Principal Jovana Edwards and school staff on a tour of Cato Ridge Middle School as construction continues to move forward. The project is now 80% complete and on schedule, with classrooms taking shape across three floors totaling 54 classrooms. Furniture is expected to arrive in August, and teachers will be moving in then. This will also be the first middle school at CMS with synthetic turf athletic fields. | | |
Cotswold Elementary School
The new Cotswold Elementary School is transforming quickly! Foundations and site utilities are nearly complete, the concrete floor slab is steadily taking shape, and the masonry structural walls and the elevator shaft are rising. Steel framing has begun, bringing the future school outline into view. More exciting updates with the 2023 Bond are underway!
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Dilworth Elementary School
Construction at Dilworth Elementary School is advancing quickly! The building envelope has been sealed, exterior brickwork is nearing completion, and concrete curbs have been hand‑formed for precision. Inside, sheetrock is being installed, and vibrant finish products continue to be installed, bringing the educational environment to life! Stay tuned for more updates under the 2023 Bond.
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First Ward Creative Arts Middle School
Media center has a new maker space at First Ward Creative Middle School! The remaining work in progress includes repaving the parking lot, upgrading the HVAC system, and repainting, and flooring the gym—all part of improving facilities for students and staff.
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J.T. Williams Secondary Montessori
Construction is buzzing at J.T. Williams Secondary Montessori! New concrete slabs are continuing to go down for the outdoor classroom areas, stone is being shaped around the Peace Tree, and the grounds team is preparing space for the beehive, greenhouse, and chicken coop. All this work moves us closer to an incredible outdoor learning environment that will be ready to occupy this August, funded by the 2023 bond approved by our community.
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North Mecklenburg High School
North Mecklenburg High School is transforming! The new football field is taking shape and will be game-ready this fall. Classroom foundations are going in, the retaining wall lane at the carpool lane is up. Grading is rolling across the athletic fields and auxiliary buildings.
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Northwest School of the Arts
Exciting changes are taking shape at the Northwest School of the Arts campus! Interior demolition of the former administration is complete, and administrative services are now located in Building G, which also includes new classroom space for students. Renovations and partial demolition are underway in Building E to make room for updated dance and performing arts classrooms and facilities. The remaining mobile classrooms will be demolished shortly. Looking ahead, Building C is scheduled to open in January 2027 and will bring even more learning and performing art spaces to campus.
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Second Ward High School
Site work is underway at Second Ward High School. Installation of excavation and shoring of the underground parking deck is ongoing!
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South Mecklenburg High School
Big changes at South Mecklenburg High School! The new gym foundations are in, the baseball field is graded, and the stadium turf is almost ready for summer 2026. Painting and ceilings are underway inside the concession stand. We’re on track for the stadium to open in summer 2026.
| | CLICK EACH OF THEM BELOW TO SEE THE PRESENTATIONS: | | |
Presentations
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO READ MORE:
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Renderings
New renderings for Beverly Woods Elementary School were revealed at the latest project update meeting, giving a first look at the future 45-classroom campus coming to 6001 Quail Hollow Road in south Charlotte. The design, presented by Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, highlights a modern and innovative learning space.
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COMING UP
Berryhill School (PreK-8) Replacement
May 2026
Huntersville Elementary School Replacement
September 2026
Stay tuned!
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National Apprenticeship Week (April 26 - May 2) brings together employers, apprentices, educators, workforce partners, and community organizations across the country to celebrate the impact of Registered Apprenticeship and the critical role they play in preparing workers for the jobs of today and tomorrow. She Built This City program gives students and apprentices real-world exposure to construction trades.
From the classroom to the construction site, students and apprentices from She Built This City— a program where many participants are graduates of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools — visited the new Cotswold Elementary project funded through the CMS bond program, gaining real-world exposure to careers in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, painting and more while connecting with industry professionals.
Led by Clancy & Theys Construction, the project is scheduled for occupancy in August 2027, offering students a firsthand look at how schools are built while inspiring the next generation of skilled trades in Charlotte.
| | ACE Mentorship students took a walk-through of the new elementary school on Park Road | | |
In March, students from Independence High School in the ACE Mentorship Program took a walk-through of the new elementary school on Park Road and got to witness the excitement of construction progress firsthand. Walking the site gave them insight into how a project comes together, beyond the plans and into the everyday problem-solving, teamwork and activity that make the job come alive. A powerful glimpse into the careers they’re exploring!\
As CMS Bond continues its commitment to Building for Excellence, this visit showed students how bond‑funded projects are designed to improve educational environments, enhance learning conditions and create safe, modern spaces that better support student success.
| | We appreciate our partners at McFarland Construction for their continued support and commitment beyond the job site, especially their engagement with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and efforts to inspire our students through meaningful Career Day experiences like the recent visit to Billingsville Elementary School. | | | ACE Trades Day 2026 was a huge success! With over 30 vendors on-site, over 500 high school students explored construction careers through live demonstrations and hands-on activities. The event highlighted immediate trade opportunities and the valuable pathways available in the architecture, construction, and engineering career pathways skilled trades. | |
CTE Futures Fair
In March, over 700 CMS high school students gathered at Bank of America Stadium for the CTE Futures Fair, connecting face-to-face with a variety of employers, colleges and career programs. The event provided students with the opportunity to network, explore career pathways and take confident next steps toward life after graduation.
| | Vendor Outreach at Dilworth Elementary School | | In March, D.A. Everett hosted a vendor outreach session for the new Dilworth Elementary School, bringing together partners to help move the project forward. The event promoted collaboration, connecting the school with high-quality vendors aligned with district standards. These efforts support the CMS Bond’s Building for Excellence mission of strengthening schools through thoughtful investments in quality, innovation and community partnerships. | | National Construction Safety Week | | |
What’s your WHY? Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools construction team was on-site at the bond school projects. In the picture at Second Ward High School, project leadership connected directly with the hardworking crews who are building future facilities for our students. These safety moments are more than just conversations—they’re a reminder that every worker has a reason to go home safely.
We’re proud to show our appreciation with small tokens like snacks, but more importantly, by listening, engaging, and reinforcing a culture where safety comes first. Because at the end of the day, every “why” matters.
| | Women in Construction Week | | |
We proudly celebrated Women in Construction Week from March 1-7 by spotlighting six remarkable women shaping the future of ACE trades. This week celebrated the women in our community who are who are building leading with purpose and expanding what’s possible for the next generation.
Through inspiring interviews, Ada Esther Gil Jimenez (AEGJ Construction), Carly Morris (Swinerton), Barbara Lytle (LeChase), Shana Hetherington (Little), Jackie Fitzella (Builders Bridge) and Monica McAllister (DA Everett) shared their journeys and how they discovered their careers in construction and design. Their stories highlight resilience, passion and purpose, showing what’s possible when women lead boldly in architecture, construction and engineering.
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CMS Supplier Development Summit
Great turnout on April 22 at our 4th Annual Supplier Development Summit. With over 95 attendees, the event brought together suppliers, CMS departments, and community partners to explore procurement opportunities, gain insights on financial resources, and build meaningful connections.
We were honored to have Board leadership in attendance, including Chair Stephanie Sneed and District 2 Representative Shamaiye Haynes, who engaged directly with vendors and helped answer key questions about the procurement and registration process. A successful and impactful event—we look forward to continuing the momentum next year at Goodwill Industries.
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On April 21, the first joint project outreach session under the CMS 2023 bond referendum brought together five construction managers at risk (CMaR) to support three projects: Berryhill PreK-8, Beverly Woods Elementary, and Huntersville Elementary.
This session created a space for connection, learning, and real opportunity—bringing vendors, contractors, trades, and service providers together to engage directly in upcoming work. With a strong focus on community impact and bidding opportunities. The goal is clear: exceed supplier diversity goals, growth opportunities and ensure local and abroad businesses have a role in building the schools their children attend.
| | Great news for contractors who want to be part of the CMS 2023 Capital Bond program! Rise Academy is preparing a dedicated group of contractors to successfully compete for bid packages associated with New Middle School #2 North project. From preconstruction to post-award, participants gain the tools, knowledge, and connections needed to navigate the bid process with confidence. We are proud of Metcon, Inc. our Construction Manager at Risk, for leading this important initiative. We are committed to creating opportunities for more people to grow and succeed. | | | |
Prequalification Period:
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Berryhill PreK-8: April 23 through May 4
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Beverly Woods Elementary: April 21 through July 16
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Dilworth Middle: February 20 through May 4
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Huntersville Elementary modular classrooms: April 23 through May 4
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Huntersville Elementary: May 1 through June 12
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Middle School #2 North: January 28 through May 1
| | Explore the CMS Bond Construction website! Stay informed on Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools bond projects, including project updates, reports, outreach events, procurement opportunities and MWSBE resources. | |
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