Charlo Primary School was founded in January 1974 and was named after the suburb in which it was built.  The suburb was developed on a farm of the late Mr Charles Lovemore.  The name Charlo is derived from the first four letters of the owner's name and the first two letters of the owner's surname.  The school had an initial enrolment of 21 learners in 1974 and through the years grew to be the school it is today.  Today more than 500 learners find their happiness at Charlo Primary School.

The first principal was Mr OB Heunis.  He was also the man who designed our School Badge.  This badge with the motto FAITH, is one that is very familiar throughout Port Elizabeth.  Mr Willie Dolphin was the chairman of the first Parent Teachers' Association, while Mr Smith was the chairman of the first board of school governors.  The names of our three houses were derived from the surnames of these three people.

Our second principal was Mr JR Viljoen and he was the principal for almost twenty years.  Mr Viljoen designed the previously worn school uniform before it was replaced by the current school tracksuit.  He and fellow staff members were also the composers of our school song.  The current arrangement of the school song was done by Mr WE Hughes in 1993.

In 1992, after the retirement of Mr Viljoen, we welcomed Mr AJJ van Schalkwyk as our third principal.  He was succeeded by Mr J McLeod in July 1995 who is our current principal.

At Charlo Primary School we educate from four year olds to grade seven.  Presently we have two classes in every grade from grade R to grade 7.  There is a class in each grade for the Afrikaans learners and a class in each grade for the English learners.  Our grade R classes are also preceded by a middle pre-primary and junior pre-primary class.  We are also in the fortunate position to have a bilingual Practical class.