Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) has an incredibly robust School Choice Program (also known as their Magnet Program). Students can opt into speciality programming such as Dual Language Immersion, STEAM / STEAM, Montessori, and more for completely free.
But some schools become more popular than others. While we know they are beloved for a reason, there are several magnet schools that deserve their flowers!
Charlotte, NC School Experts Natalie Parmenter of Primary Focus and Savannah Keith Gress of Ryse share about amazing magnet schools that fly under the radar.
Applying to these schools you may have a better chance of getting in and enjoy a smaller community, unique programming, and a school your child will enjoy for years to come. These schools are listed in no particular order.
About: STEM School K-5
Winget Park Elementary is a STEM school (science, technology, engineering, and math). Like the other STEM / STEAM schools, you’ll see similarities in curriculums with standard CMS curriculum, however they enhance it with science, technology, engineering, and math concepts. It is a partial magnet with a mix of assigned students and school choice lottery students.
They offer unique enrichment opportunities through their Makerspace and STEM Lab. The school focuses heavily on students' critical thinking skills, engineering, and mathematics.
Each May, they host STEAM Night which showcases projects from every student. Students take ownership over this event and invite their families and the community to attend. In addition to their projects, students transform the main hallway into a beautiful art gallery, with artwork from every student.
Prospective Parent Open Houses:
About: Leadership School K-5 (Leader in Me Program based on The 7 Habits of Happy Kids)
Elizabeth Traditional School is a historic school in the Elizabeth neighborhood. Established in 1912, it is next door to CPCC and Independence Park and walking distance to Elizabeth Ave’s restaurants including an ice cream shop. This offers a unique community feel to the school.
Elizabeth Traditional Elementary School currently offers the Leader in Me Program. This is a social emotional learning program based off of Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It teaches children how to develop their voice and character to be confident, make smart decisions, and be a leader.
This school offers a lot of individualized support for learners whether they need remediation or extension. They are also partnered with the Dottie Rose Foundation whose goal is to close the gender gap in the tech field by providing fun learning opportunities to girls.
Pending a School Board vote, December 8. Elizabeth Traditional and Myers Park Traditional may convert to IB (International Baccalaureate) and LI/TD (gifted and talented) programming. If this happens, the transition would be in the 2028-29 school year. Though change may come, do not let this deter you from looking at ETES! The curriculum may change, but the spirit of the school will stay the same.
Prospective Parent Open Houses
About: STEAM K-5
Oakhurst STEAM Academy is a STEAM school (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) for kindergarten through 5th grade. The school is smaller than a typical CMS elementary school with around 500 students. In September 2026, the state named it a North Carolina STEM School of Distinction.
Like other STEAM schools, Oakhurst STEAM Academy infuses extra science, technology, engineering, arts, and math into the CMS curriculum. Every month students participate in clubs during the school day. Lower elementary students rotate through various clubs, and upper elementary students get to pick them. These clubs offer opportunities for students to try new skills and build relationships across grade levels.
Leadership is a priority for the school, so students are asked to help lead events, support other students, and take on community service projects that they are passionate about.
OSA embraces its international population. Several languages and countries are represented at the school. They celebrate this through cultural events throughout the year and an international day.
Prospective Parent Open Houses
About: Spanish K-8
Oaklawn Language Academy is a Spanish immersion school for kindergarten through 8th grade. The school is smaller than a typical CMS K-8 school with around 500 students. Kindergartners don't need any Spanish to start, and middle schoolers can earn high school credit for their Spanish!
Oaklawn has an extremely active parent community that embraces both native Spanish and native English speakers. Their motto is ¡Somos familia! (we are family!) Families love the tight knit community that nurtures students through 8th grade.
Prospective Parent Open Houses
About: Chinese, French, or German Immersion K-8
Three language options, one school! North Academy of World Languages (NAWL) offers Chinese, French, and German immersion for kindergarten through 8th grade. Starting in kindergarten, students learn to read, write, and think critically in their chosen immersion pathway (German, French, or Chinese).
In Middle School, students learn their core subjects in English, and take additional “Heritage Classes” to continue learning the language.
North Academy of World Languages is the youngest of the language academies (currently in its 6th year), but offers the same strong programming as the rest. They have nearly 700 students in K-8.
NAWL is known for its tight knit community. They bring cultures to life celebrating major holidays school wide such as the Lunar New Year (Chinese), St Martin’s Day (German), and International Crepe Day (French).
Prospective Parent Open Houses
Sign Up Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1EpHD1TKWZ0BAk4Eq2CSvh7hqg9ZP0lRPkzR1lftAyMw/viewform?edit_requested=true
Final Thoughts
Navigating the CMS School Choice Program can feel overwhelming, but exploring these hidden gem magnet schools reveals incredible opportunities that often fly under the radar. Wondering how the process works? Read this article
Whether you are looking for a tight-knit language immersion community like Oaklawn or North Academy of World Languages, a hands-on STEM/STEAM environment at Oakhurst or Winget Park, or leadership development at Elizabeth Traditional, these schools offer unique programming and strong student growth that make them well worth a closer look.
By attending upcoming open houses and understanding the lottery and transportation zones, you can find the perfect fit to help your child thrive for years to come.
As you search use The School Tour Tracker, Consult Ryse's accurate data, and attend The Kindergarten School Talk Workshop to find the right school for your child.
About Primary Focus
Natalie is a former elementary teacher with a Master's in Education from Johns Hopkins University. She works with parents to navigate the school system, leads speaking engagements for school districts, and runs a dedicated YouTube channel and newsletter for families.
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