South Academy of International Languages

School Overview
Waddell Language Academy, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a unique magnet school within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) system that specializes in world language immersion and global studies. The school is highly regarded for its rigorous academic environment, which emphasizes second-language acquisition alongside a standard core curriculum. By fostering a multicultural learning community, the academy aims to prepare students to be competitive, globally-minded citizens capable of navigating an increasingly interconnected world.

The school offers programs that cater to students across a wide grade range, providing continuous language development from elementary through middle school levels. Instruction is often delivered through a partial-immersion model, allowing students to achieve high levels of proficiency in languages such as Spanish, French, German, Chinese, and Japanese. With its focus on linguistic fluency and cultural competency, Waddell Language Academy serves as a distinct educational choice for families seeking to provide their children with a specialized, language-focused foundation for future academic and professional success.
1,259
Total Students
85.1
Full-Time Teachers
14.8
Student/Teacher Ratio
34.1%
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for South Academy of International Languages
Demographic Student Count
White421
Hispanic418
Black230
Asian72
Two or More118
  • White
    421 (33.4%)
  • Hispanic
    418 (33.2%)
  • Black
    230 (18.3%)
  • Two or More
    118 (9.4%)
  • Asian
    72 (5.7%)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: Elementary School
School Type: Regular School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status: No
District: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Phone: (980)343-5815
Website: http://www.cmsk12.org/sailMS
Grade Range: K - 8th
Total Students: 1,259
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 85.1
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 14.8
NSLP Participation:1 Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
Qualified Free Lunch: 402
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 27
Grades Taught
Kindergarten 160
Grade 1 140
Grade 2 135
Grade 3 131
Grade 4 114
Grade 5 123
Grade 6 164
Grade 7 146
Grade 8 146

Grades Taught Data Table

Grades Taught and Student Counts for South Academy of International Languages
Grade Student Count
Kindergarten160
Grade 1140
Grade 2135
Grade 3131
Grade 4114
Grade 5123
Grade 6164
Grade 7146
Grade 8146
Gender Ratio

Student Gender Ratio Data Table

Student Gender Ratio for South Academy of International Languages
Gender Student Count Percentage
Female66753%
Male59247%
Nearby Elementary Schools (Within 10 Miles)