Thursday, November 12, 2026·Focal News

The Charlotte Focal

Charlotte's independent voice

Local

Charlotte Country Day School Confronts Racist, Antisemitic Incidents

Charlotte Country Day School's head of school sent a letter to parents on Nov. 7 acknowledging a series of racist, misogynistic, and antisemitic incidents at the middle and upper schools, calling them 'deeply disturbing' and vowing accountability while reaching out to the NAACP and the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte.

Charlotte Country Day School Confronts Racist, Antisemitic Incidents

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte Country Day School is responding to a series of incidents at its middle and upper schools that its top administrator described as racist, misogynistic, and antisemitic, according to a letter sent to parents on Nov. 7.

Head of School Dr. Tara Kisney told families that school leaders were aware of the incidents and the 'significant pain' they had caused, calling them 'deeply disturbing' and saying they 'stand in direct opposition to the values we aspire to uphold as a school community.'

Kisney did not describe what happened or where, saying only that the incidents involved people within the middle and upper schools. She said the school is handling individual situations 'with care and appropriate accountability, while respecting the privacy of the students and families involved.'

The school has begun reaching out to community partners, including the NAACP and the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte, for their perspectives and expertise as leaders weigh next steps.

'We are committed to confronting bias, fostering accountability, and strengthening a culture in which every member of our community is respected and valued,' Kisney said. 'There is no place for any form of hate at Charlotte Country Day School.'

The letter did not specify how many incidents occurred, when they took place, or what disciplinary measures, if any, have been imposed. It also did not indicate whether the school plans to share further details with parents or the broader community.

The response comes as schools across the Charlotte area and the country continue to grapple with how to address hate-based incidents on campus — balancing student privacy and due process against the need to make targeted communities feel safe and to send a clear message that bias will not be tolerated. Involving outside civil rights and faith organizations is one approach some institutions have taken to bring in additional perspective and rebuild trust.

Charlotte Country Day School is a private, independent school serving students from junior kindergarten through 12th grade. The school has not publicly released additional information about the incidents or its internal review.

More from The Charlotte Focal