Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

• T.J. Mitchell (1882–1886)
• John T. Corlew (1886–1888)
• Dr. Alexander Graham (1888–1913)
• Dr. Harry Harding (1913–1949)
• Dr. Elmer Garinger (1949–1960)

• James W. Wilson (1944–1960)

• Dr. Elmer Garinger (1960–1962)
• Dr. A. Craig Phillips (1962–1967)
• Dr. William C. Self (1967–1973)
• Dr. Roland W. Jones (1973–1977)
• Dr. Jay M. Robinson (1977–1987)
• Dr. Peter Relic (1987–1991)
• Dr. John Murphy (1991–1996)
• Dr. Eric Smith (1996–2002)
• Dr. James L. Pughsley (2002–2005)
  • Dr. Frances Haithcock (2005–2006, interim)
• Dr. Peter Gorman (2006–2011)
  • Hugh Hattabaugh (2011–2012, interim)
• Dr. Heath Morrison (2012-2014)
• Ann Blakeney Clark (2014–2017)
• Dr. Clayton Wilcox (2017-2019)
• Earnest Winston (August 2019–April 2022) [7]
  • Hugh Hattabaugh (April–December 2022, interim)
  • Dr. Crystal Hill (December 2022–May 2023, interim)
• Dr. Crystal Hill (May 2023–present)

• Hopewell High School (2001, Titans)
• Mallard Creek High School (2007, Mavericks)
• North Mecklenburg High School (1951, Vikings)
• Julius L. Chambers High School, (1997, Cougars)
• William A. Hough High School (2010, Huskies)

• David W. Butler High School (1997, Bulldogs)
• East Mecklenburg High School (1950, Eagles)
• Garinger High School (1908, Wildcats: formerly Charlotte Central High School from 1923 until 1959)
• Independence High School (1967, Patriots)
• Rocky River High School (2010, Ravens)

• Ardrey Kell High School (2006, Knights)
• Myers Park High School (1951, Mustangs)
• Olympic High School (1966, Trojans)
• South Mecklenburg High School (1959, Sabres)
• Palisades High School (2022, Pumas)
• Providence High School (1989, Panthers)

• Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology (2002, Cardinals)
• Harding University High School (1935, Rams)
• West Charlotte High School (1938, Lions)
• West Mecklenburg High School (1951, Hawks)

In May 2005, Wake County Superior Court Judge Howard Manning Jr. issued a ruling in which he accused CMS of "academic genocide" against at-risk, low-income students in low-scoring high schools.[10] Since the debut of its new student assignment plan in 2002, and the end of its court-ordered busing program, CMS has seen an increase in concentrations of poverty, with schools that have student-poverty rates of at least 75 percent at twice the number they were before.[11] In the same year, Judge Manning also threatened to close 4 of the lowest performing high schools, Garinger, Waddell, West Charlotte and West Mecklenburg. Many teachers and parents felt he had gone too far, and, in the end, this never occurred as the 4 high schools presented turnaround plans and their principals were deemed capable of carrying them out. The high schools are now included in a special Achievement Zone.[12]

56% of voters rejected a $427 million bond package in 2005 to improve facilities and build new schools for the first time in a decade. Dissenters cited spats between members of the school board and other well-publicized events that year hurting their confidence in the district's ability to spend money effectively.[13] A$516 million bond package was backed by 68% of voters in November 2007.[14]

Calls for decentralization mounted in 2005 as dissatisfaction with CMS grew, with some wanting CMS broken up into smaller school systems.[15] One notable incarnation of this movement was called DUMP (Don't Underestimate Mecklenburg Parents) CMS. This effort abated when the Board of Education requested and newly hired Superintendent Peter Gorman outlined a plan for decentralization, with the stated goal of putting resources and administration closer to parents and other members of the public. Regional offices known as "learning communities", each with an area superintendent, were implemented in the 2007–2008 school year.[16]

Multiple students and their families have alleged reporting sexual assaults has led to dismissive responses and retributive action from CMS administrators.[17][18] The allegations span from 2014 through 2021.

A widely covered allegation is in regards to a female student who was sexually harassed from seventh grade in 2014 onward, escalating to sexual assault in her freshman year in 2016. All of the alleged harassment and the assault occurred on various CMS campuses.[19] Mark Bosco, the principal at Myers Park High School where the alleged sexual assault took place, was suspended with pay and later reassigned to an administrative position within the school district; this move was widely reported and criticized by students and their families.[20][21][22] As of June 2022, a lawsuit is currently in progress regarding CMS' handling of sexual assault allegations.[17]