Independence High School - Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

We want to thank CSW2 Brendan Gilbert, son of our civics teacher Daniel Gilbert, for sharing his experiences with our students. Mr. Gilbert struggled to find his footing as a student in college at Appalachian State University. Looking for new opportunities, he found a new path that launched him into a highly decorated military career. He talked with our students about the power of goal setting, confidence, resilience and hard work. We appreciate your time CSW2 Gilbert!

Independence High School AFJROTC Cadets at the Armory in Concord.

This past Wednesday, our Auxiliary Gym was buzzing as students took huge steps toward their futures. A massive thank you to our amazing CTE Department, the Career Fair Committee, and all the teachers who brought their classes out to explore these incredible opportunities.

Our students showed up dressed for success, resumes in hand, and ready to network!

We want to extend a huge shoutout to the fantastic companies, military branches, and educational institutions that came out to invest in our students' futures:
Featured Companies:

DPR Construction
Precision Plumbing
United Community Bank
Navigate Foundation
Carowinds
Jersey Mike’s Subs
East Town Recruiting Station US Army
YMCA of Greater Charlotte (Simmons YMCA)
Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont
Publix Super Market Inc.

Military Branches:

NC Army National Guard
USAF

Colleges, Universities & Prep:

EmpowerHER Firm LLC
Academic Institute of Central Carolina
Queens University of Charlotte
Write On College Essay Coaching
Western Carolina University
UNC Wilmington
UNCG
East Carolina University
Aviation Institute of Maintenance
Arclabs Welding School
Central Piedmont Community College

Beauty Schools:

Empire Beauty School
Paul Mitchell The School Charlotte

The future is incredibly bright for our Independence students! Thank you to everyone who made this event a massiv

Senior Breakfast and yearbook signing are in full swing! We are so incredibly proud of the class of 2026 and can’t wait to watch them tackle their next big chapters!

Class of 2026, it’s time to make it official!

The countdown to Decision Day is on, and we want to celebrate YOUR next big step! Whether you’re headed to college, starting a trade program, joining the military, or jumping straight into your career, we want to shout it from the rooftops.

Find the QR code on the posters around campus (or check our bio/link tree!).
Scan and complete the form to let us know your post-grad plans.
Submit by Monday, May 18th to ensure you're included.

By filling out the form, you’ll be featured in our Decision Day Slideshow on May 21st! Don’t miss your chance to see your name in lights and celebrate alongside your friends.

Deadline: May 18th
Showcase Date: May 21st

Independence High, it’s time to level up! Whether you’re looking to jumpstart your career, find the perfect college, or explore military opportunities, the Spring Career & College Fair is your ultimate destination.

When: May 20, 2026

Where: The Auxiliary Gym

Action: Bring your resume and Dress for Success!

Students: Be Prepared
Opportunities are waiting, so make sure you’re ready to impress!

Resume Help: Check out the worksheet and sample resume links provided by your teachers.

Stuck? If you need a hand polishing your resume, don't hesitate to reach out for help before the big day!

Get ready to meet recruiters from:

Top Colleges & Universities
Local & National Companies
Military Branches

(Note: The list of attendees is subject to change—stay tuned for updates!)

Don't miss out on your next big move!

It Takes a Village: Teacher Appreciation Week Recap

What an incredible week at Independence! They say it takes a village, and this past week, our community proved that ours is the best around. From local businesses to our own talented students, we felt seen, celebrated, and fueled to keep working hard for our kids.
Here’s a look at the amazing people who made us feel special:

Monday: Mint Hill Nutrition fueled our greatness with caffeinated energy teas and refreshers to kickstart the week!

Tuesday: Communities in Schools got us moving with a classic Panera Bread bagels and coffee spread.

Wednesday: A huge thank you to the Mint Hill Women’s Club and Herff Jones for the mid-week sweet treats!

Thursday: Our incredible PTSA teamed up with our own Culinary Department for a spectacular taco salad luncheon and dessert bar.

Friday: The Booster Club kept us going through the finish line with a much-needed salty snack break.

Additionally,
Our hearts (and desks) are full thanks to Ms. Burchardt and her Ceramics students, who hand-crafted individualized clay creations for every single staff member. Plus, a shoutout to Ms. Denstaedt for organizing an Underground Spirit Week for teachers that kept both students and staff guessing and laughing all week long.

To our Independence community: Thank you. Knowing we have you behind us allows us to give our all every day. We are so proud to be part of this “Big I” family!

Class of 2027, it is time to book your senior portrait session! Book today to receive a $30 credit towards your studio photography session.

It's National School Nurse Appreciation Day, and we're so thankful for own Nurse Kayla! She works incredibly hard each day to make sure our students are safe, healthy and cared for. Thank you, Nurse Kayla!

Attention Class of 2026! The countdown to graduation is officially ON! Don't miss a beat—get all the details you need to walk that stage right here:

🔗 Everything Graduation: bit.ly/indygraduation
🔗 Important Links: linktr.ee/Independencehsnc