Introducing the Wolves and the Royals
Ballantyne Ridge HS and Knights View Elementary open with top-notch programs
By Nan Bauroth | Photos by Milk & Honey Photography and Raymond J Photography
Two long-awaited schools in the Ballantyne area are opening at the start of this school year to their first classes of students. Both schools will ease overcrowding at other local schools, caused by the explosive growth in this community.
Ballantyne Ridge High School will welcome students from South Mecklenburg High School and Ardrey Kell High School, while Knights View Elementary School will welcome students from Hawk Ridge Elementary School and Elon Park Elementary School.
We interviewed the principals from the new schools to learn about their facilities, academics, extracurricular activities and parent involvement organizations.
Ballantyne Ridge High School
Located on newly created Toringdon Lane, Ballantyne Ridge High School will enroll approximately 1,500 students this fall, mainly in the freshman and sophomore classes, because juniors and seniors could opt to finish their schooling at their present high school or switch to Ballantyne Ridge.
One huge incentive to attend Ballantyne Ridge is the availability of the International Baccalaureate program, a first for a CMS high school in South Charlotte. “We will offer the full scope of courses that a traditional CMS high school offers, including AP [Advanced Placement] courses, all elective options and fine arts programming, but what makes us unique is the IB course offering,” says Michael Miliote, principal of Ballantyne Ridge. “Students and families who want to be part of an IB program will no longer have to travel to West Charlotte or East Meck. They will now have one in their own backyard.”
Ballantyne Ridge will also have a robust high school athletics program, with teams up to the varsity level. The school’s mascot is the Wolves. Facilities include a 4,000-seat stadium with a turf practice field, full baseball and softball fields, and tennis courts. The auditorium, gym and auxiliary gym are in a separate building to the left of the four-story main school building. High-tech touches include a camera system that can zoom into a player’s face in the stadium and live streaming that allows parents to watch remotely.