Question 1

What is RYSE?

Accepted Answer

RYSE is a decision-support platform for families navigating Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. We help parents make informed school choices through interactive tools, organized community knowledge, and personalized guidance. Our platform combines official school data with real parent experiences, giving you both the numbers and the stories behind them.

Question 2

Is RYSE free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes, RYSE starts free with PREVIEW. You can search every public school in North Carolina and see our better-than-ratings indicators of school effectiveness, no payment required. When you are ready for more, paid plans add a live webinar on how school choice works (LEARN), your complete personalized school list with side-by-side comparisons (SCHOOL SEARCH), tools for families relocating (RELOCATOR), and one-on-one support (CONCIERGE). We also offer scholarships for families who need financial support.

Question 3

What schools does RYSE cover?

Accepted Answer

RYSE covers all Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) public schools, including traditional schools, magnet programs, and charter schools. Our data comes from official CMS and North Carolina Department of Public Instruction sources, updated regularly to give you current information.

Question 4

What is the RYSE Guide?

Accepted Answer

The RYSE Guide is your personalized orientation to Charlotte schools. It combines chat-based conversations with short video modules to help you understand the school landscape at your own pace. Whether you have 10 minutes or an hour, the Guide meets you where you are and adapts to what you need to know. It covers everything from understanding school choice options to navigating the magnet lottery to knowing what questions to ask during school visits.

Question 5

How do I find and organize my schools?

Accepted Answer

You find your options in Explore: the schools RYSE suggests based on your priorities, plus your full list of options for your address, each with our better-than-ratings growth data. Heart the ones worth a closer look, add notes and ratings as you research, and your favorites are saved in one place. It helps you move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling organized, without a dozen browser tabs.

Question 6

What is the Compare step?

Accepted Answer

Compare is where you weigh your top options side by side and make your choice. You can compare your favorite schools one against another, see the exact schools assigned to each address you are considering, or look at the schools and bus zones for a neighborhood you have pinned. It is the decision layer that turns a long list into a confident pick.

Question 7

Where does your school data come from?

Accepted Answer

All school data comes from official Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and North Carolina Department of Public Instruction sources. We focus on student growth data - how much progress students make over time - rather than just test scores. We also include information about programs, demographics, and school characteristics, rooted in the experiences of real Charlotte families.

Question 8

Is my information private?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We never sell your data to anyone. We collect only what we need to make the platform helpful (like your address for mapping schools) and we protect your information. Your school lists, notes, and conversations are private to you. We care deeply about creating a safe space for families to explore their options.

Question 9

What do the paid plans include?

Accepted Answer

RYSE has five plans. PREVIEW is free and lets you search every NC school with our better-than-ratings growth indicators. LEARN adds a live webinar on how school choice really works and the missteps that lead to regret. SCHOOL SEARCH gives you your complete personalized list, schools we suggest for your family, and side-by-side comparison of your favorites. RELOCATOR adds tools for families moving to or within Charlotte, so you can see the schools available from each home or neighborhood. CONCIERGE adds one-on-one support from a real RYSE person through your whole process. Every paid plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and we offer scholarships too.

Question 10

Do you offer scholarships?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer 50% and 100% scholarships for families facing financial barriers. To apply, just email us at hello@rysekids.com and let us know you need support. We don't require documentation or proof - we trust you to tell us what you need. Our goal is to make RYSE accessible to every Charlotte family, regardless of financial situation. Your request will be handled with care and confidentiality.

Question 11

Do you work with schools or community organizations?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We partner with schools to sponsor a paid RYSE plan for families with students transitioning into their programs. We also work with community organizations to extend resources to the families they serve. If your school or organization wants to support families through RYSE, contact us at hello@rysekids.com. We're committed to building partnerships that expand access and support equitable school choice.

Question 12

Is there a money-back guarantee?

Accepted Answer

Yes, 100%, no questions asked. If a paid RYSE plan isn't helpful for your family, just let us know within 30 days and we'll refund your full payment. We want you to feel confident trying the platform, and we stand behind the value it provides. Your satisfaction matters to us, and we're here to support you however we can.

Question 13

What happens if I cancel my subscription?

Accepted Answer

Your plan drops to Free immediately. Your account stays, and your saved schools, notes, ratings, and addresses stay with it. Paid features lock until you resubscribe, but nothing is deleted. You can pick back up where you left off any time.

Question 14

What happens if I delete my account?

Accepted Answer

Account deletion signs you out and cancels any active subscription. We hold your data for 30 days in case you change your mind. During that window, email tech@rysekids.com to restore. After 30 days, everything is permanently erased: saved schools, notes, ratings, addresses, and profile. Stripe transaction records stay (legal requirement) but are no longer linked to a live RYSE account.

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