# Queen's Grant High School

Queen's Grant High School is a charter school in Matthews, North Carolina. The campus is on 32 acres, formerly Idlewild Country Club. It is an extension of Queen's Grant Community School, an NHA charter that offers grades K-8.

## History

Queen's Grant was formed in 2006, and opened in 2007 with ninth and tenth grades. The school rented space until 2009, when it first assembled modular units to accommodate over 400 students.
In 2010, Queen's Grant appointed Principal Michael Smith, who was recruited by former Mint Hill, North Carolina Mayor Ted Biggers. Smith retired and was replaced by Josh Swartzlander in 2019.

## Academics

At Queen's Grant, the academic day begins at 7:50 a.m. and ends at 2:40 p.m.. A standard schedule consists of six class periods called "blocks". Each block lasts exactly one hour.
Non-AP classes at Queen's Grant do not follow the same curriculum as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, however, material is often similar in order to meet North Carolina's education standards. Each student must have a minimum of 22 credits in order to graduate.
Dual enrollment is offered by Queen's Grant through Central Piedmont Community College. Only juniors and seniors are allowed to participate in dual enrollment. All students, regardless of grade, are allowed to take North Carolina Virtual Public School classes on-site.

## Student life
### Transportation

Students provide their own transportation to and from Queen's Grant. If students bring their own vehicles, parking on campus is free. Most trips and extracurricular activities also involve individual transportation.

### Learning

The school day lasts just under seven hours for most students. Queen's Grant utilizes multiple online platforms for work and grade management, including Schoology and PowerSchool. Students are provided with Google Workspace accounts.

### Lunch

Queen's Grant offers catered lunch Monday through Friday. Regularly sold are Chick-Fil-A sandwiches and Harris Teeter sub sandwiches, accompanied by chips and drinks. Students have the option of eating at the school's outdoor dining area or inside classrooms. The school is not a member of the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program.

### Clubs

Queen's Grant has clubs in Student Council, Debate, Spanish Honor Society, International Thespian Society, Beta, Art, YCI, Gender and Sexuality Alliance, Latin, Junior Classical League, Drama, Jazz Band, Medical Careers, and National Honor Society.

## Athletics

Queen's Grant is a member of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, with sports teams in: Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, Baseball, Wrestling, Cross Country, Track, Cheerleading, and Lacrosse.
The school has soccer, softball, and baseball fields. It also features a half-mile cross country trail and a small volleyball area. All other athletic practices, games, and events are held off-site at various local facilities.

## Building campaign

In 2019, Queen's Grant announced plans to construct a building to be used as a student performance center and gymnasium. The school hopes to raise $5 million for the project.
During Summer 2022, Principal Josh Swartzlander announced plans via email to "embark on the construction of our new GYMPAC" in the fall.

## School fundraising

Queen's Grant utilizes a variety of fundraising methods. The school's student government also organizes events which generate revenue.
* Spirit wear is sold via the school's Square site. Students can wear purchased items at any time throughout the year. Proceeds go towards technology improvements, campus maintenance, and more.
* Engraved bricks are sold, and will be added to the school's performing arts center/gymnasium upon the building's completion. Proceeds go directly towards the construction of the building.
* Jeans Days are held every Wednesday and Friday, with most proceeds benefiting school clubs. The cost is $1 to participate. Year-long jeans passes are also available for $100.
* The sale of Chick-Fil-A Sandwiches during school lunch often raises additional funds; these proceeds go towards Student Council events.

## Rules
### Dress Code

Queen's Grant does not currently have school uniforms. However, there is a dress code that, when compared to a public school, is relatively strict and quite particular.
Prohibited Apparel:
* Casual head coverings (e.g. hats, hoods, masks)
* Any shirt, regardless of being short-sleeve or long-sleeve, that lacks a collar
* Any shorts that are above fist-length
* Athletic shorts (e.g. gym shorts, basketball shorts)
* Jeans
* Casual pants (e.g. sweatpants, pajama pants)
* "Tight" pants (e.g. yoga pants, leggings)
* Skirts
* "Open" shoes (e.g. flip-flops, sandals, slides, Crocs)
* Any apparel with profane messaging
Exceptions:
* Students are able to wear most of the prohibited apparel during spirit weeks.
* Students that participate in athletics for Queen's Grant are able to wear most of the athletic apparel provided for the team during the academic day.
* Students are able to wear jeans on certain days if they pay a $1 fee for that specific day. They are also able to pay $100 for an all-year "jeans pass".
* Students are able to wear non-collared shirts that have the Queen's Grant logo or a college logo.

## Notable Alumni

* Patrick Tapé: Basketball forward that has played for Columbia Lions men’s basketball, Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball, San Francisco Dons men’s basketball, Caledonia Gladiators, BC Nokia, and BC Kalev.