Northwest School of the Arts is a grade 6 through 12 art magnet school in Charlotte, North Carolina. The school enrolls around 1100 students. Students audition for acceptance and choose a major. Majors available include performing arts (theatre, technical theatre, musical theatre, ballet, modern dance, tap, jazz, orchestra, choir, and band) and visual arts (painting, drawing, studio, printmaking, photography, fibers, sculpting, ceramics, and other classes which depend on availability and student participation), as well as technical theatre. A communications major was added for the 2010–2011 school year and beyond. NWSA hosts a variety of AP classes, including AP art classes such as AP Studio and AP academics like AP English and AP Biology. Northwest students are active in organizations such as Student Leadership, Diversity Club, Yearbook, Literary Magazine, various honors societies. Every morning, Northwest School of the Arts begins the day with a "Daily Affirmation". The affirmation was written by long time dancer, choreographer, and faculty member Chandra McCloud. The affirmation, which follows the Pledge of Allegiance, reads: "I have a gift. I am talented. I am a doer; not a quitter. I matter to others and to myself. That is why I will be good to others and good to myself. I am a leader. I will walk in my excellence."

Notable alumni