Pineville Matthews Rd and Providence HS (Charlotte, Welcome: fit in, apartments, house)

[KathyDG]

Wow! What a helpful forum! So, we are a relo, too. It seems many folks are looking at Waxhaw. Waxhaw looks lovely, but not very centrally located. We currently live in the boondocks, and I want to be in civilization. We have seen a home we like that is off of Pineville-Matthews Rd and our kids would then go to Providence High School. It seems the commute to Ballantyne is quite convenient. But, I have a few questions.

1.) Is Providence High ridiculously competitive? We value education and our child is currently in a competitive parochial school in NJ and doing well. She is happy, well adjusted and athletic (2 sports). But, she is not in all AP classes. Is Providence really only catering to AP students as the Great Schools website reviews would lead one to believe?

2.) Traffic on Pineville Matthews Rd... The general location looks great on maps. I want to be near things. But, is it too busy or loud? Can you enter the road or is it way too busy to drive safely? The house we like is near the high school and what looks like a large Church.

Thank you so much for your input.

[Brooklyn_QueenBee]

Having lived right next to PHS for five years, I can help answer the question. During school hours, I found exiting Providence Court Apartments a nuisance, but not a nightmare. Those heading towards Pineville do experience a slight hold-up with traffic. You will find pockets of slow crawl, but it is a steady move. Having lived in NYC and crossing over the Brooklyn or Verrazono Bridge, it is no different. However, since you are either cutting over on Rea or Elm...avoid Johnson Road to get to Ballantyne. You can get to Ballantyne in under 20 minutes.

Okay, I don't care much for the school, but most children will fit in without taking all the rigourous AP courses. The hardest thing for my sport enthusiast daughter was adjusting to the small minded thinking of her peers. She loved the sports, played on the rugby and swim team and debated with FBLA. She dabbled in several AP courses, other than that she cruised through the school. Academically she is a self-achiever and extremely gifted and found herself to be bored at the school. Talking with her friends who were just regular students, I would say that PHS does offer so much after school help for those who need it.

The location is not loud at all. The best part of the location was the ease for the students to walk to the Arboretum without my assistance if needed. Yeah, they are teens and could do the walk for socialization.

Just plan ahead around the Elementary and High School school times to avoid the traffic. Good luck!

[momtothree]

Are you behind Carmel Baptist? That area is quiet except as previous poster mentioned during school pick up and drop off times. Other than that you are good to go.

Sports play a large part at Providence and academics are rigorous but in a good way. Coming from a competitive private school, your kids should do great. Welcome!

[KathyDG]

Thanks so much for the great information. You have allayed some of our fears. We are really looking forward to moving to Charlotte!

[USCRugbyNo1]

Providence HS is a very nice school.