Stories

Charlotte Prep has a strong record of placing graduates into their best‑fit high schools. Guided by a dedicated placement team, families receive thoughtful, individualized support throughout the application process, while Prep’s reputation gives students a meaningful advantage. Just as important are the relationships Prep has cultivated over time with excellent day and boarding schools both in Charlotte and across the country.

One of the most enduring of these partnerships is with The McCallie School, a premier boarding and day school for boys in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Over the past 16 years, Charlotte Prep has sent 11 graduates to McCallie, seven of whom earned the highly selective Michaels‑Dickson Merit Scholarship. Prep graduates who have attended McCallie have then gone on to distinguished academic paths, in testament to the strength of this preparation.

For Jeffrey Webb (Prep Class of ’19),the transition from Charlotte Prep to McCallie felt less like a leap and more like a natural next step. Reflecting now as a student at Tulane University, Jeffrey credits Prep’s intentionally supportive and challenging environment with preparing him to manage adult‑level expectations.

“The education and independence given at Prep directly ties to success at McCallie. One of the biggest similarities between the schools is the connection between faculty and students. Prep faculty acting as both mentors and teachers made connecting with McCallie faculty natural. Prep starts you on being independent, and McCallie really solidifies it. You’re more prepared for adult relationships with your peers and with professors.”

A hallmark of a Charlotte Prep education is the emphasis placed on the school’s pillars of integrity, perseverance, courage, and respect. This commitment to character development is what prepared Jeffrey for life’s next steps so uniquely. It is this foundation of both academic strength and personal independence that gives every Prep graduate a head start in the world.

The Prep to McCallie pipeline is alive and well, with several recent Prep graduates currently making their mark on the McCallie campus. These students have found that while the coursework at McCallie is difficult, Prep has equipped them with the tools they need to thrive.

Luke Vollertsen (Prep Class of ’24) points to the study habits he developed at Prep as central to his success. “After three semesters at McCallie, I can confidently say that these habits are one of the most important factors in my academic success,” he shares.

Ihit Srivastava(Prep Class of ’23) echoes the importance of adaptability. “Prep definitely helped me understand how high school was going to work and how to adapt,” he explains. “My ability to adapt and change was influenced by how Prep set me up for the next level.”

For Luke Smith (Prep Class of ’25), leadership opportunities at Charlotte Prep played a pivotal role in earning his scholarship. From student council to serving as a student ambassador, Luke credits Prep with fostering his growth. “My scholarship was based on academics, service, and leadership,” he says. “Prep gave me so many chances for leadership.” He also highlights the lasting impact of teacher relationships: “The teachers at this school mentored me and wrote phenomenal letters of recommendation, which no doubt helped me obtain this scholarship.”

The success these young men experience is no coincidence. By the time students leave Charlotte Prep, they are not only prepared for high school—they are prepared for life. Whether they remain in Charlotte or head to top‑tier boarding schools across the nation, Prep graduates carry with them academic discipline, independence, and character that set them apart wherever they go.