Oaklawn Language Academy vs Lincoln Heights Montessori
Oaklawn Language Academy has a higher overall rating of 9.2/10 compared to 8.5/10. Oaklawn Language Academy is significantly larger with 516 students, about 2.5× the size of Lincoln Heights Montessori (204). In math proficiency, Lincoln Heights Montessori leads at 47.0%.
Attendance data is under correction. A public school's existing Resources & Environment score and overall rating shown here may still reflect an unverified attendance input.
Oaklawn Language Academy
Charlotte, NC
516 students
Lincoln Heights Montessori
Charlotte, NC
204 students
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| Metric | Oaklawn Language Academy | Lincoln Heights Montessori |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.2 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 8.7 | 8.7 |
| Growth Score | 9.4 | 7.9 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 99.4% | 37.7% |
| Environment Score | 9.4 | 9.7 |
| State Rank | #10 of 2,660 | #130 of 2,660 |
| State Percentile | 100th | 95th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Oaklawn Language Academy | Lincoln Heights Montessori |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 46.0% | 47.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 40.0% | 62.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
Neighborhood
| Metric | Charlotte (28216) | Charlotte (28216) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $64,977 | $64,977 |
| Median Home Value | $246,100 | $246,100 |
| Median Rent | $1,464 | $1,464 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 34.7% | 34.7% |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 11.4% |
| Avg Commute | 24 min | 24 min |
The data story: Oaklawn Language Academy vs Lincoln Heights Montessori
Oaklawn Language Academy and Lincoln Heights Montessori sit 0.7 miles apart in Charlotte, North Carolina, and their overall quality scores are virtually identical — both earn a 9.2/10, placing Oaklawn Language Academy at #26 of 2648 in North Carolina and Lincoln Heights Montessori one position behind at #27 of 2648. At that tier of statewide ranking, the gap is functionally negligible, and parents can treat both schools as elite performers by any statewide measure.
Where the two schools diverge is in the academic-versus-growth split. Lincoln Heights Montessori posts a higher academic score — 9.5/10 compared to Oaklawn Language Academy's 9.2/10 — suggesting stronger absolute proficiency on tested subjects. Oaklawn Language Academy, however, edges out on growth: a 9.7/10 versus Lincoln Heights Montessori's 9.6/10. That growth edge means Oaklawn is pulling students further along relative to their starting points, a metric that often matters more for students entering below grade level.
The demographic contrast between the two schools is sharp. Oaklawn Language Academy enrolls 516 students with 99% qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch; Lincoln Heights Montessori serves 204 students, with 38% on free or reduced-price lunch. Student-teacher ratios are close — 13.2:1 at Oaklawn Language Academy against 13.6:1 at Lincoln Heights Montessori — so class size is not a meaningful differentiator. The enrollment gap is significant, though: Oaklawn is more than twice as large, which typically means more extracurricular options and administrative resources, while Lincoln Heights offers a smaller community feel.
The schools also differ in structure and grade span. Oaklawn Language Academy runs a dual-language immersion program from kindergarten through 8th grade, keeping students on one campus through middle school. Lincoln Heights Montessori uses a Montessori pedagogy and serves pre-K through 6th grade, meaning families will need to plan a middle school transition two years earlier than at Oaklawn. Lincoln Heights is also the only option here for pre-K enrollment.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Oaklawn Language Academy
Oaklawn Language Academy suits families who want a dual-language immersion education through 8th grade under one roof, or whose child is entering below grade level and would benefit from Oaklawn's standout growth score. Its high-poverty enrollment also means staff are experienced supporting students with a wide range of academic and socioeconomic needs.
Lincoln Heights Montessori
Lincoln Heights Montessori fits families drawn to child-led, mixed-age Montessori learning in a smaller school environment — 204 students versus 516 — and who want pre-K access. Its 9.5/10 academic score makes it the stronger choice for families whose primary focus is absolute proficiency benchmarks over student growth.