Very Good
#911 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 34% in state
South Academy of International Languages
Elementary School · Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
8300 Nations Ford Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217
Enrollment
1,227
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
1,227
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Charlotte
#56 of 173
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#742 of 1,474
In district
#67 of 179
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Academic performance
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About South Academy of International Languages
South Academy of International Languages serves 1,227 students in kindergarten through eighth grade in Charlotte's 28217 ZIP code. This regular public elementary school maintains a manageable 15:1 student-teacher ratio with 82 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning an impressive 8.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #332 out of 2,661 North Carolina schools, placing it in the 88th percentile statewide.
Students consistently perform well on standardized assessments, with 77% achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 74% meeting proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading across all grade levels. Located at 8300 Nations Ford Road, the school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $59,635 and median home values average $210,100. About 31% of neighborhood residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 19.6% of families live below the poverty line, reflecting the area's mixed socioeconomic landscape.
South Academy of International Languages operates within Mecklenburg County's large city environment, providing students with both urban opportunities and a focused educational setting that has earned recognition as one of North Carolina's higher-performing elementary schools.
Score Breakdown
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South Academy of International Languages — Students at South Academy of International Languages score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
35.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 18 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.4/10.
How South Academy of International Languages Compares
See how South Academy of International Languages performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 68% (2019) to 76.3% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 66% (2019) to 73.8% (2025).
Location
8300 Nations Ford Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Academy of International Languages may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Collinswood Language Academy (rated 8.4/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Montclaire Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Smithfield Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Charlotte, see our Charlotte schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CEDARWOOD ACADEMY Charlotte | 0.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Harper Middle College High Charlotte | 0.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Movement School Southwest Charlotte | 1.0 mi | 3.7 |
| Charlotte-Mecklenburg Virtual School Charlotte | 1.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Nations Ford Elementary Charlotte | 1.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Starmount Academy of Excellence Charlotte | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Metrolina Reg Scholars Academy Charlotte | 2.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Montclaire Elementary Charlotte | 1.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Collinswood Language Academy Charlotte | 2.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Sterling Elementary Pineville | 2.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Huntingtowne Farms Elementary Charlotte | 2.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Steele Creek Preparatory Academy Charlotte | 2.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Pinewood Elementary Charlotte | 2.5 mi | 5.5 |
| THE JOHN CROSLAND SCHOOL Charlotte | 2.8 mi | 7.6 |
| South Mecklenburg High School Charlotte | 2.9 mi | 4.9 |
| South Pine Academy Charlotte | 2.7 mi | 2.7 |
| Quail Hollow Middle Charlotte | 2.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Smithfield Elementary Charlotte | 3.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Pineville Elementary Pineville | 4.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Beverly Woods Elementary Charlotte | 3.4 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28217 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,397
Median Home Value
$238,500
Median Rent
$1,498/mo
Population
31,909
College Educated
35.2%
Homeownership
31%
Avg Commute
21.7 min
Poverty Rate
20.5%
Median Age
31.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Academy of International Languages has a median household income of $60,397. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $238,500, with a median rent of $1,498/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Carolina Charter Academy Angier, NC | 7.2 |
| Estes Elementary Asheville, NC | 7.2 |
| Highland Elementary Sanford, NC | 7.2 |
| Kimmel Farm Elementary Winston-Salem, NC | 7.2 |
| Wintergreen Intermediate Greenville, NC | 7.2 |
| Ballantyne Elementary Charlotte, NC | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Academy of International Languages
What grades does South Academy of International Languages serve?
South Academy of International Languages serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend South Academy of International Languages?
South Academy of International Languages has an enrollment of approximately 1,227 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Academy of International Languages?
The student-teacher ratio at South Academy of International Languages is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Academy of International Languages rank in NC?
South Academy of International Languages is ranked #911 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is South Academy of International Languages's MySchoolScout rating?
South Academy of International Languages has a composite rating of 7.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at South Academy of International Languages?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Academy of International Languages has 73.8% math proficiency and 71.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Academy of International Languages a charter school?
No, South Academy of International Languages is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Academy of International Languages a Title I school?
No, South Academy of International Languages is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Academy of International Languages?
35.5% of students at South Academy of International Languages qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,227
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 82
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 35.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Mecklenburg County
- Phone
- (980) 343-5815
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools- District Enrollment
- 144,116
- Schools in District
- 184
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,198
- District Rank
- #67 of 179
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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