Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely not. EVA is designed for children with zero prior Mandarin experience. Our immersion program begins from scratch in Kindergarten, and children acquire the language naturally through daily instruction. Native Mandarin speakers are also welcome and thrive in our environment, but prior knowledge is never required or expected.

This is the most common concern we hear - and it is addressed directly by research. Multiple longitudinal studies show that immersion students catch up with and then match or exceed their monolingual English peers in English reading and writing by 3rd grade. The skills developed in Mandarin (phonological awareness, reading strategies, academic vocabulary) transfer powerfully to English. EVA students consistently meet NC EOG benchmarks.

The school day runs from 7:45 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Students typically spend the morning block in Mandarin instruction (Math, Chinese Language Arts, Science/Social Studies) and the afternoon block in English instruction (ELA, Reading, English-medium content). Specials (Art, Music, PE, STEM) are distributed throughout the week.

EVA is a public charter school operating within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system. Bus transportation may be available for students in certain CMS zones. Please contact CMS Student Assignment or our front office to confirm transportation eligibility for your address. Many families carpool or use the drop-off/pick-up loop.

EVA recommends a dress code of navy or khaki bottoms and a white, navy, or red polo shirt. Uniforms are not strictly required, but wearing the dress code is strongly encouraged. If cost is a barrier, EVA maintains a uniform closet with gently used items available free of charge. Please contact the front office.

EVA is working to expand before- and after-school programming. Currently, we offer after-school enrichment clubs several days per week. Families needing full-time before/after care may explore local YMCA programs or licensed home childcare providers near campus. Contact us for our current list of recommended options.

EVA is a public charter school, meaning we are free and publicly funded but independently governed. The biggest difference is our instructional model: 50% of every school day is delivered in Mandarin Chinese. Traditional CMS schools do not offer this. We also tend to have smaller class sizes, a single-school community culture, and a more parent-engaged environment. Both EVA and CMS schools serve students with NC state standards - we just deliver them bilingually.

EVA offers enrollment in all grades K–8, though seats in upper grades can be limited. Kindergarten typically has the most openings. Students entering Grade 3 or above who have not had prior Mandarin instruction may receive additional language support to bridge into the immersion program. We have successfully enrolled students at every grade level with no prior Mandarin background.

EVA serves all students, including students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans. We are a public school and are required to provide appropriate special education services under IDEA. Our special education coordinator works closely with the IEP team to adapt immersion instruction for students with diverse learning needs. Please contact us early in the application process so we can discuss your child's specific needs.

EVA operates under a charter approved by the NC State Board of Education and is subject to annual reporting and review by NC DPI. We are pursuing AdvancED/Cognia accreditation and maintain full compliance with all NC charter school accountability requirements. Our three consecutive years of NC DPI growth recognition reflect our academic accountability.