Oakdale Elementary

Oakdale Elementary is a PK–5 school in northwest Charlotte enrolling about 497 students in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district, where nearly 99% of students come from low-income households. The school has historically been one of the lowest-performing elementary schools in the state, but it has shown real improvement over the past three reporting years — climbing from the 7th percentile statewide in 2023-24 to the 20th percentile in 2025-26 and earning a 1-star rating. Test scores still trail district and state averages in most subjects and grades, but the trajectory is clearly upward.

One of the most encouraging stories at Oakdale is English Language Learners: the school now ranks in the 76th percentile statewide for ELL performance, up from the 24th percentile two years ago and good enough for 4 stars. Several other student groups that have historically scored low are also making steady gains toward state averages. The biggest concern is attendance — nearly 38% of students are chronically absent, well above the district rate of 26.8% and the state rate of 24.2%. Frequent absences make it harder for any school to build consistent academic momentum, and Oakdale has hovered in this range for five years.

Oakdale's results look different when compared with nearby schools serving very similar student populations. Paw Creek Elementary, less than 3 miles away, ranks in the 86th percentile statewide, and Allenbrook Elementary ranks in the 64th percentile — evidence that a high-poverty student body does not have to mean low performance. Science stands out as a particular weak spot: Oakdale's 5th-grade science proficiency is 50%, compared with roughly 88% at Paw Creek and Allenbrook. The school's recent gains suggest its improvement efforts are working; doubling down on ELL strategies, tackling absenteeism, and investing in science and early-grade math could help Oakdale continue climbing.