The overall goal of the World Languages & Dual Language/Immersion program is to promote high academic achievement in literacy and proficiency in two languages while enhancing the level of cultural awareness among students. “Late Entry” means that a student is entering a specialized program at a grade other than the normal entry grade of kindergarten, and must be deemed eligible through testing in order to enter the programs.

Our dual language/immersion programs are not designed for students who have not had exposure to the target language. Students in these programs should already be familiar with the language. 

World Language & Language Immersion Schools

The following chart lists all the immersion grade levels for the 2024-2025 school year.

Blue Transportation ZoneGreen Transportation ZoneViolet Transportation Zone
SpanishCollinswood Language Academy (grades K-8)Charlotte East Language Academy (grades K-7)Oaklawn Language Academy (grades K-8)
Chinese, French, GermanSouth Academy of International Languages (grades K-8)South Academy of International Languages (grades K-8)North Academy of World Languages
(grades K-4)
JapaneseSouth Academy of International Languages (grades K-8)South Academy of International Languages (grades K-8)South Academy of International Languages (grades K-8)

How to Enter the Programs: Lottery vs. Late-Entry

  • Rising kindergarten students can enter one-way immersion programs (Chinese, Japanese, German and French) and two-way immersion programs (Spanish) through the CMS School Choice Lottery each year, and testing is not required. Families who miss the lottery can participate in the Reassignment/Transfer process and testing is not required.
  • Rising 1st through 8th grade students can enter the one-way immersion or immersion continuation programs (Chinese, Japanese, German and French) and the two-way immersion or immersion continuation programs (Spanish) through the Late-Entry process only.
  • Rising 6th grade students can enter the non-immersion, World Language programs (Chinese, Japanese, German and French) through the CMS School Choice Lottery and testing is not required. Families who miss the lottery can participate in the Reassignment/Transfer process.
  • Rising 7th and 8th grade students can enter the non-immersion, World Language programs (Chinese, Japanese, German and French) through the Reassignment/Transfer process only. The school will perform a transcript review to ensure the student has the necessary background in the language of study.

Late-entry is a 3-step process. Students who wish to be considered for placement must:

  1. Be registered in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School district as a current or future student. Use this link to complete registration.
  2. Request a reassignment/transfer into one of the language immersion programs. Use this link to complete the online request and see the due dates for the 2024-2025 school year.
  3. Read the information below to request a late-entry assessment. The assessment will only determine eligibility for a dual language/immersion program. It does not guarantee placement. Placement depends on whether there is space available in the program.

Late-Entry Assessment Sign-Up and Dates

There are no transfers into the programs during the last quarter of the current school year. Late-entry assessments for the 2024-2025 school year will start in March 2024.  

Here are the upcoming late-entry assessment dates.

  • Saturday, April 13, 2024
  • Saturday, May 4, 2024
  • Saturday, June 15, 2024
  • Saturday, July 27, 2024
  • Saturday, August 10, 2024

Help your child prepare for the assessment! 

Need assistance?

Email Luz Pachon at [email protected]