Welcome to Oaklawn Language Academy

Who We Are

Oaklawn Language Academy is a premier full magnet school offering Spanish language immersion education for students in grades K–8. Recognized nationally for educational excellence, Oaklawn was named the top magnet school in the nation as the winner of the 2012 Dr. Ronald P. Simpson Distinguished Magnet School of Excellence Award by Magnet Schools of America. Our commitment to high standards has also earned us designation as a Magnet "School of Distinction" or "School of Excellence" annually from 2004–2018 and 2023–2025.

Our educators are certified native Spanish speakers from across the globe—including Colombia, Puerto Rico, Panama, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico, and Spain. This authentic cultural diversity provides our scholars with genuine language acquisition and rich, firsthand exposure to international perspectives.

Vision & Mission

Our mission is to foster high academic achievement, bilingualism, bi-literacy, and deep multicultural awareness. Through rigorous instruction, global learning, and active student engagement, we empower scholars to value diverse points of view and develop into principled, responsible leaders in a multicultural world.

What We Do: The Immersion Advantage

Language immersion uses a foreign language as the primary medium of instruction for core subject matter. Academic research confirms that dual-language immersion not only develops native-level fluency but also enhances critical thinking, mathematical skills, and reading comprehension in upper grades. Learn more about the research behind dual-language development through the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA).

Oaklawn Model for Spanish Immersion

Grade	Spanish / English Ratio
Kindergarten	100% (core subjects)
Grades 1–8	50 / 50

Students earn two high school credits for Spanish classes taken in our middle school at the time of 8th grade promotion.

Admissions & Requirements

• Kindergarten Applicants: Open to all incoming kindergarten students through the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) School Choice Lottery. No language prerequisite is required.
• Grades 1–8 Applicants: Due to the language proficiency needed to succeed in upper grades, students applying for 1st through 8th grade must pass a grade-level Spanish late-entry assessment before enrolling.

Quick Facts

• Program Type: Full Magnet Program
• Grades Served: K–8
• School Hours: 8:45 AM – 4:15 PM
• Transportation: Violet Transportation Zone
• Dress Code: Uniform Required