Charlotte's private school scene is expanding. We've rounded up the biggest private schools in the region, along with their tuitions, enrollment and other data.

Why it matters: The number of students enrolled in private schools continues to rise across the state, jumping to 135,738 for the 2024-25 school year, up from 131,230 for 2023-24, per state data.

What we're watching: Enrollment could continue to climb. In 2024, North Carolina lawmakers approved a measure that unlocked funding for applications for thousands more students of all incomes to attend private school.

By the numbers: Mecklenburg County accounts for 105 of North Carolina's 930 private schools, according to the latest state data.

• Private school enrollment in Mecklenburg County rose from 20,965 for 2023-24 to 21,882 students.
• By comparison, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has more than 141,000 students enrolled.

How it works: Our guide looks at the largest private schools in Mecklenburg County — plus a few regionally. It only includes schools with at least 500 students.

Here are the top three:

✏️ Charlotte Latin School: $26,250 (transitional K and K); $31,000 (grades 1-5); $33,500 (grades 6-8); and $34,750 (grades 9-12).

🏫 Providence Day School: $24,180 (transitional K), $26,550 (K); $31,240 (grades 1-5); and $34,430 (grades 6-12).

📓 Charlotte Country Day School: $23,350 (junior K); $24,500 (K); $28,930 (grades 1-4); $31,145 (grades 5-8); and $32,450 (grades 9-12).

Full guide

💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Executive Director at Carolina Voices.
2. Associate Vice President of Marketing and Creative Services at Central Piedmont Community College.
3. Account Manager at Neighborhood Lender Inc.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

The 2025 hurricane season wrapped up without a single mainland U.S. landfall for the first time in a decade.

Why it matters: That's welcome news for hurricane-prone states, but it doesn't mean future years will be equally calm — especially as climate change continues to warm the oceans, essentially creating hurricane fuel.

What we're watching: Entire communities in Western North Carolina are still recovering from last year's Hurricane Helene.

The big picture: Just because this year's Atlantic hurricanes steered clear of the continental U.S. doesn't mean it was a gentle season.

• Hurricane Melissa slammed into Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane on Oct. 28 after rapidly intensifying over warm ocean waters, with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph.
• It was one of the most intense Atlantic hurricanes on record.

Caveat: It's possible to get hurricanes outside the official season, but it's rare.

Keep reading

🌮 Comal Taco Co., the fast-casual taco spot taking over Marina's Tapas in Optimist Hall, will open tomorrow, Dec. 3, according to a press release.

🦪 Esquire has recognized Seaboy in Cornelius as one of the country's best new restaurants of 2025.

🎸 Rock bands Chicago and Styx will co-headline a tour with a stop at PNC Music Pavilion on Saturday, July 18. Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 5, at 10 am on livenation.com.

🏎️ Michael Jordan's antitrust fight against NASCAR has gone to trial in Charlotte. If jurors decide NASCAR is a monopoly, it could upend the sport of stock car racing. (AP)

🌃 Iryna's Law (House Bill 307), which aims to increase pretrial release conditions, went into effect Monday. Local leaders expect an increase in arrests, more people in jails and more individuals required to wear electronic monitors. (WFAE)

🚀 JGA Space & Defense, formerly Joe Gibbs Manufacturing Solutions, will add roughly 40 new jobs to its Huntersville operation next year, per Mecklenburg County.

❌ Bulla Gastrobar closed abruptly after seven years in SouthPark. (🔒 CBJ)

A tennis legend and other stars will take the court at Spectrum Center this week in the Charlotte Invitational.

Why it matters: Charlotte Sports Foundation's inaugural Charlotte Invitational last December drew 16,194 fans, showing the organizers that Charlotte would show up to see elite tennis players compete in an exhibition.

What to expect: Venus Williams will face Madison Keys, and Frances Tiafoe will take on Taylor Fritz in this year's doubleheader on Dec. 4.

• A tennis exhibition allows for a more relaxed atmosphere, meaning you'll likely see celebrities join in the fun.
• Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton and Panthers legend Steve Smith hit a few serves last year, as did some Cleveland Cavaliers players.

Flashback: Williams played her sister Serena Williams in Charlotte in 2006.

The big picture: Andy Roddick, a Charlottean and 2003 U.S. Open champion, told Axios last year the city is ready to host major tennis stars.

• Charlotte City Council member Malcolm Graham still hopes to build a tennis stadium here.

If you go: The exhibition starts at 7pm and will air on the Tennis Channel and locally on WSOC and Telemundo. Tickets start at $53.10.

News you can use from our partners.

• 🍴 Enjoy less time in the kitchen when you pre-order your holiday feast from Noble Smoke. Fill your table with Noble Smoke's Southern-inspired BBQ, classic sides and wood-smoked dishes. Pre-orders are available from Dec. 1-17.
• Step back in time and experience 18th-century holiday traditions at Twelfth Night on Jan. 10. Enjoy spirit tastings on the Charlotte Museum of History's grounds, cooking demos in the log kitchen and tours of the historic Rock House.
• Dentistry on Monroe is the talk of the town, with over 550 five-star Google reviews like this: "Hands down best dentist in Charlotte. Dr. Eric and his team are friendly and attentive, and most importantly they have integrity in their work."

Brothers Ross and Matt Duffer, creators of the hit Netflix sci-fi series "Stranger Things," are Durham natives. If you're a local fan, you may notice subtle North Carolina references throughout the show.

Why it matters: The Durham area serves as an inspiration for various details throughout Stranger Things, one of the most successful TV shows of the past decade — from street and neighborhood names to local landmarks.

• The brothers, graduates of Durham's Jordan High School, also cast their high school drama teacher, Hope Hynes Love, in the latest season.

Driving the news: Volume 1, which includes the first four episodes of season five of "Stranger Things," was released on Nov. 26.

Warning: Season 5 spoilers ahead

It's Giving Tuesday, a day to give back to the community.

• Share Charlotte lists several local nonprofits to support.

A few ideas:

✏️ Classroom Central provides school supplies to teachers and students in the Charlotte area. You can donate your time and/or funds.

🛒 Nourish Up provides groceries and meals to people across Mecklenburg County. You can organize a food drive, volunteer at their warehouse or donate funds here.

🥫 Second Harvest of Metrolina, the area's largest food bank, always sees a higher demand in December. You can donate money, volunteer, host a fundraiser or food drive or reach out to [email protected] for remote volunteer opportunities.

🐾 Support local animal rescue organizations, including Windsor Kittens, Humane Society of Charlotte, CMPD Animal Care & Control and Billie's Buddies.