Dear Merry Oaks International Academy families,

Merry Oaks International Academy is a Title 1 school located in east Charlotte that has been serving students for more than 50 years. We are a unique school family with a mission of providing quality education by inspiring a life-long love of learning. We also promote and celebrate diversity; our students come from 28 different countries and speak more than 35 different languages.  

At Merry Oaks International Academy, we strive daily to implement a strong instructional program that is tailored to meet the individual academic needs of each student. Our program includes individualized academic plans, Title 1 tutors and additional wrap-around supports for students and families. We also hold school-wide meetings monthly recognizing a character trait, as well as a college, university or trade school and a country represented in our school. Students who have demonstrated the character trait of the month are recognized and receive a special pin. We also hold quarterly awards ceremonies to celebrate the academic success and attendance of our students.

Merry Oaks has had significant academic success in the past few years. In 2017-2018, we exceeded expected growth in both reading and math. In addition, the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 school years, 90 percent of students exceeded their academic growth projected for that school year.

Let me tell you a little about myself. I have been in education for 16 years. I hold a bachelor's degree in health education from George Mason University and a master's degree in educational leadership from the University of Phoenix. Before coming to Merry Oaks International Academy, I was principal in Charlotte at Invest Collegiate Transform. Before we moved to Charlotte from Maryland in 2016, I was principal in Washington DC, at a Title 1 charter school, Imagine Hope Lamond, and later a regional academic facilitator for a charter network that is nationally recognized, Imagine Schools.On a personal note, I am from Mechanicsville, Virginia, and I have been married for 12 years. We have a beautiful daughter who is five years old. My husband is a native of Greenville, North Carolina, and we both are so grateful to have made the move back to the South to be closer to family.

I look forward to working with you and your student. Thank you for choosing Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Merry Oaks International Academy.

Danah Nichole Telfaire, principal