Our Work
For decades, Myers Park High School has been a vibrant education institution in Charlotte. Scores of amazing teachers have challenged and inspired students to excel in academics, arts, and athletics. Myers Park graduates have achieved success in every sphere.
However, 26% of the Myers Park High School 2024-2025 student body, roughly 850 students, are considered economically disadvantaged and do not have adequate resources for success. They face poverty, homelessness, or other incredible social challenges. Without additional support, many would fail to graduate with their peer class. The Myers Park High School Foundation tackles this problem “head-on” with its mission to enhance the educational experience of Myers Park students by expanding opportunities, addressing unmet needs, and funding innovation. The success of our programs allows students to finish high school in four years and be on track for enrollment, enlistment or employment post high school graduation.
Our Programs
Funds Raised By The Foundation Support An Array Of Critical Programs At Myers Park:
Communities in Schools
The MPHS Foundation has funded a Coordinator position every year since 2012. The Coordinator brings the proven Communities in Schools model to Myers Park by case managing students across a broad at-risk spectrum, from students facing traumatic or crisis-level challenges to students seeking college and career guidance. Nearly all Myers Park seniors supported by Communities in Schools have graduated.
Graduation Coach
In 2023, the Foundation funded a Graduation Coach that is a full-time position at Myers Park High School. The Graduation Coach works with up to 90 students who are identified as academically high risk, are in need of credit recovery and provides graduation within cohort initiatives.
Mustangs Matter
This after school program began in 2016, providing academic support, mentoring, recreation and life skills for ninth graders as they make their transition to high school. Going into year four, Mustangs Matter celebrated its first class of graduating seniors in June 2020. Since then, the program has grown to include students in all grades. It is focused on supporting students in achieving the required credits needed to graduate from high school in the student's cohort year by providing a supplemental tutorial environment for students to succeed in academic courses; and to increase students' self-awareness, self-worth, and future ready goals.
Student Wellness Center
The Student Wellness Center opened at Myers Park High School in the fall of 2023. This special space, inspired by and dedicated to the memory of Jason Huff Jr., has the intention of improving the mental health of teenagers at Myers Park. The school is comprised of a mix of all socio-economic backgrounds who suffer all types of stressors from anxiety disorders and mental health disease to abusive households to non-English speaking immigrants to homelessness. Mental health diseases and struggles cut across all socio-economic strata. The Foundation was pleased to be able to provide a new Student Wellness Center that welcomes all into a home-like environment on campus.
College Visits
Four tours are scheduled yearly to college campuses in North and South Carolina. This provides opportunities for MPHS students who may not otherwise be able to experience an official college tour and see firsthand what a campus has to offer. Tours include bus transportation, meals, and local cultural activities.
Scholarships
Each year the MPHS Foundation awards Park Scholarships to graduating seniors who have participated in one or more Foundation-supported programs during their time at Myers Park. These scholarships are intended to help offset the cost of continuing education—whether at a community college, four-year university, or trade school—and will be paid directly to the recipient’s institution. The MPHS Foundation also manages the David Shannon Endowment where friends and family make donations to the fund in memory of David Shannon (Class of 2012). The endowment annually awards college scholarships to Myers Park students.