In the growing Northlake area of Charlotte, families of children with learning differences seek educational environments where their children can thrive academically and socially. Ignite Achievement Academy's North Charlotte campus, conveniently located at 3835 W. WT Harris Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28269 in the Northlake area, provides comprehensive special education programs designed to meet the unique needs of students with learning barriers.

Specialized Education in Northlake: Meeting the Needs of Every Student

Our specialized approach at our Northlake special education facility empowers students with learning disabilities, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, language disorders, and other learning barriers to achieve their full potential in a supportive, structured environment.

About Our North Charlotte Campus

The IAA North Charlotte Campus in Northlake is larger than our South Charlotte location, allowing us to serve a broader range of student needs. Our campus is located in the southeasternmost building accessed via Brookstone Drive, offering a spacious and accommodating learning environment for students throughout the 28216 zip code and surrounding Northlake neighborhoods.

As a private school in Northlake, we maintain small class sizes with dedicated teachers who understand the unique learning profiles of our students. The North Charlotte campus is specifically designed to support students with various learning differences through:

• Customized instruction tailored to individual learning styles
• Small classroom environments with low student-teacher ratios
• Structured teaching methodologies backed by educational research
• Compassionate approaches that support the whole child
• Accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS/COGNIA)

Specialized Programs at Our Northlake Campus

The North Charlotte location offers additional specialized programs beyond what's available at our South campus, allowing us to provide more comprehensive support for students with a wide range of needs.

1. BEACON Program for Speech and Behavioral Support

Our BEACON program serves students with speech and behavioral disabilities through an approach that emphasizes personalized attention and comprehensive support. With class sizes averaging just four students per teacher and the support of speech-language pathologists in our speech classrooms, we ensure each child receives the individualized care and instruction they need to thrive.

Benefits of the BEACON program include:

• Personalized Attention: Extremely small class sizes allow our teachers to understand each student's unique needs and tailor their instructional methods accordingly.
• Enhanced Communication Skills & Speech Support: In our non-speaking/minimally-speaking classrooms, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) co-teaches alongside the classroom teacher during direct instruction times.
• Behavioral Support: With fewer students per class, teachers can implement and monitor behavioral strategies more closely, ensuring a supportive environment that promotes positive behaviors and social interactions.

The BEACON program incorporates a hands-on curriculum and various sensory activities, both in the classroom and in our on-campus sensory room. Our approach incorporates tactile, auditory, visual, and kinesthetic elements, allowing students to engage with the material in a multi-sensory manner.

2. FLAME Program (Functional Learning to Acquire Meaningful Experience)

The FLAME program supports students who desire a life-skills high school and transition program and are not traditionally college-bound. This innovative program equips students with practical skills necessary for independent living and successful entry into the workforce. The FLAME Program is open to all 9th – 12th grade students, as well as students through age 21.

All academic learning in the FLAME program is centered around real-world experiences and is combined with off-campus job experience within the local Northlake community, which may include local retailers, grocery stores, restaurants, and other organizations. Transportation is provided by the school.

Key components of the FLAME program include:

• Vocational Skills: Job readiness training, resume building, personal strength identification, and goal setting
• Personal Development: Career exploration, self-advocacy development
• Functional Academics: Financial literacy, reading and writing for daily life
• Independent Living Skills: Cooking, nutrition, cleaning
• Social and Emotional Learning: Self-advocacy, interpersonal communication skills
• Technology and Life Management: Basic computer skills, time management

3. Support for Students with Significant Needs

At our Northlake campus, we are equipped to effectively support students with more severe cognitive delays and behaviors related to autism, developmental delays, or cognitive disabilities. Our approach is multidisciplinary, involving a team of experienced special education teachers, Speech Language Pathologists, and other special education professionals.

Our classrooms are structured to provide a predictable and supportive environment for students. We use evidence-based practices to address challenging behaviors and to teach new skills. Our staff are trained to manage behaviors effectively, using positive behavior support strategies to promote positive behavior and reduce challenging behaviors.

Curriculum and Teaching Approach

Our curriculum at the Northlake campus is specifically designed to address the learning needs of students with various learning barriers. We utilize a variety of programs to ensure each student receives instruction that matches their learning profile.

1. Comprehensive Core Curriculum

At our Northlake location, we utilize the enCORE curriculum, a comprehensive core program covering math, language arts, science, and social studies. This thematic cross-curricular program provides instruction at multiple levels and exposure to grade-level standards in a way that's appropriate for all academic abilities. This curriculum includes:

• Direct components for AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) usage
• Hands-on learning activities that engage multiple senses
• Relevant literature provided at three different levels (pictorial through modified text)
• Appropriate materials for students in grades K-12

For students with reading challenges, we implement specialized reading programs like SPIRE, which provides explicit, teacher-led multisensory instruction based on the science of reading. This curriculum uses intervention solutions to transform beginning and striving students, and those with dyslexia, into successful readers.

2. Applied Learning Opportunities

Our applied learning classes train students to use what they learn in school in their everyday lives. This training helps them understand the relevance of academic subjects and develop skills that increase their performance in different environments. Applied learning at our Northlake campus includes:

• Cooking and Nutrition: Students learn about nutrients, mixtures, heat transfer, and other concepts while preparing meals and following recipes
• Garden Science: Students plant and maintain vegetable gardens, learning about plant structure, function, and life cycles
• Shop Class: Students complete projects like mixing concrete, building bird houses, and creating garden items
• Crafts: Students develop listening and performance skills through crafting activities

3. Technology Integration

Our Northlake campus provides 1:1 technology for students, with each child receiving either a laptop or iPad based on their age and ability. This technology access:

• Promotes independence in learning
• Provides assistive technology tools like text-to-speech and speech recognition
• Enhances learning experiences through interactive educational applications
• Supports research, word processing, and other academic skills

Supportive Learning Environment

Our Northlake campus is designed to provide a supportive, nurturing environment where students with learning differences can thrive.

Sensory Room

At our North Charlotte campus, we have a large dedicated sensory room designed to provide a calming and therapeutic environment for students. The sensory room is equipped with a variety of tools and equipment, including:

• Soft lighting and comfortable seating options
• Tents and 'nooks' for students who need quiet spaces
• Bubble tubes, balance stones, and therapy equipment
• Sensory swings and balance beams
• Weighted lap pads and sensory bins with various activities

This space allows students to regulate their sensory experiences in a controlled environment, helping them calm down, refocus, and self-regulate when needed.

On-Site Therapy Services

Our Northlake campus employs licensed Speech-Language Pathologists who integrate into classrooms and provide speech services throughout the day. This allows us to integrate speech and language goals seamlessly into our students' daily routines and academic activities.

Additional therapies, including physical therapy and occupational therapy, may be available during or after the school day to support students' diverse needs.

Academic Programs and Grade Levels

Ignite Achievement Academy's Northlake campus serves students from kindergarten through twelfth grade who have various learning barriers. Our academic program follows a measurable, four-step process to ensure we deliver the instruction each student needs:

1. Determine the student's current achievement abilities in various areas
2. Determine the core reason(s) for the student's skill delays, if any
3. Develop, then deliver, the student's customized instructional plan
4. Measure and report progress, and adjust the plan as needed

Students in our elementary and middle school programs receive a combination of:

• Skill-building instruction
• Coursework in core academic subjects
• Coaching in organizational skills
• Classes in physical education, art, and applied learning

High school students complete standard courses in English, science, social studies, and math while receiving coaching in time management, organizational, and study skills. We also create certain skill-building courses for students to take as electives when needed.

Read more about our academic programs here. 

Student Success Stories

Our approach at Ignite Achievement Academy has helped numerous students overcome learning barriers and achieve success. While each student's journey is unique, we've observed patterns in their academic growth over time:

• Students make substantial progress when their neuro-developmental strengths and weaknesses are identified and addressed through customized instruction
• The amount of practice in specific skills directly correlates with achievement for students with mild to moderate learning barriers
• Certain neuro-developmental functions respond more readily to intervention than others, informing our approach to skill building

School Day and Schedule

Our school day at the Northlake campus begins promptly at 9:00 AM and ends at 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The day includes:

• A lunch break and structured recess
• Specialized instruction in core academic subjects
• Pull-out instruction with teacher assistants in 1:1 or small group settings
• Friday enrichment activities including PE, art, music, applied science, crafts, and character education

Throughout the day, students follow a structured routine that includes classroom instruction with their primary teacher as well as individualized support addressing specific academic or applied skills outlined in each student's academic plan.

Enrollment and Tuition Information

Admissions Process

Our admissions process helps us get to know your child and determine if Ignite Achievement Academy's Northlake campus is the right fit for their needs. The process includes:

1. Parent meeting with the school
2. Submission of admissions application
3. Records request from previous schools
4. Possible shadow day for the child
5. Placement assessment and instructional plan development

Tuition and Financial Aid

For the 2024-2025 school year, annual tuition at Ignite Achievement Academy is $26,750, with the BEACON program having a tuition of $31,500 due to the additional speech therapy services provided.

Families in North Carolina may be eligible for financial assistance through:

• NC Opportunity Scholarship Program: Provides annual scholarships ranging from approximately $3,000-$7,000 for tuition and fees.
• Education Student Accounts (ESA+): Awards scholarships of $9,000 or $17,000, depending on the child's disability, for tuition costs.

These scholarships can be combined and often substantially reduce out-of-pocket expenses for families. Applications for these programs become available online February 1st each year.

Location and Contact Information

Ignite Achievement Academy's North Charlotte campus is conveniently located in the Northlake area at:

North Charlotte Campus
704.302.1143
3835 W. WT Harris Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28269
(Southeasternmost building, accessed via Brookstone Drive)

Our Northlake location serves families from surrounding neighborhoods including:

• North Charlotte
• Northeast Charlotte
• Henderson Circle
• Mallard Creek
• Mineral Springs
• College Downs
• Croft
• Derita
• Hidden Valley
• Highland Creek
• Lockwood
• Northlake
• Tryon Hills
• Wilson Heights

Schedule a Tour

We invite you to experience what makes Ignite Achievement Academy different. To schedule a tour of our Northlake campus or learn more about our specialized programs for students with learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and other learning barriers, please contact us at 704-302-1143.

Discover how our personalized approach to special education in Northlake can help your child achieve academic and social success in a supportive, structured environment.