Language Immersion

East Link Academy, opened in 2018 in Greenville, SC, is a tuition-free public charter school serving students in kindergarten through grade 8. Its mission is to prepare students to be language and cultural links between the West and East, achieved through rigorous academics aligned with state standards and a Mandarin immersion program that splits instruction evenly between English and Mandarin in grades K–5.

East Link outperforms district and state averages, earning “excellent” state report card ratings and top-ranking distinctions on Niche – #4 charter elementary and #5 charter middle school in South Carolina.

Is East Link Academy really tuition-free? Yes! East Link is a public charter school, meaning there is no tuition. Enrollment is open to all families, with a lottery system used when applications exceed available spots.

What does the Mandarin immersion program look like? In grades K–5, instruction is split evenly between English and Mandarin. In middle school, students continue rigorous academics alongside ongoing Chinese language development, building true bilingual proficiency over time.

Best For: Families seeking a high-performing, tuition-free Mandarin immersion education from kindergarten through 8th grade in Greenville
Location: 78 Global Drive, Greenville, SC
Website: eastlinkacademy.org

Does your child speak French? They will.

The French School is Greenville’s only immersive French-American bilingual school, welcoming students from K4 through 5th grade, no prior French required. Each day, students learn in both English and French, taught by native-speaking teachers who follow the American and French national curricula. This is not simply a language class; it is a full academic education delivered in two languages from the very beginning.

The French School offers something rare in the heart of South Carolina: a truly bilingual education that broadens horizons, deepens curiosity, and gives children a remarkable foundation for life.

How is student progress measured? Twice a year using the NWEA MAP Growth assessment in Math, Science, Language Arts, and Reading, plus separate French proficiency assessments by French teachers using French national references, giving families a complete, dual picture of their child’s growth in both languages.

Best For: Families seeking an immersive bilingual French-American education for K4 through 5th grade in Greenville
Location: 4351 E North St, Greenville, SC
Website: the-french-school.com

Charis Bilingual Academy is a Christ-centered, Montessori-style private school offering Mandarin/Spanish immersion education in Greenville. Through a STEAM-based curriculum, native-speaking teachers, and small class sizes, students develop into independent thinkers, confident communicators, and global citizens – rooted in biblical truth and equipped for a world that values both character and curiosity.

What makes Charis different? Mandarin/Spanish immersion, a STEAM-based curriculum, daily music education, and a biblical worldview – all in small classes where every student genuinely connects with native-speaking teachers across both languages.

What is the University Model? The University Model is a hybrid approach blending on-campus instruction with structured home-education days, giving families meaningful involvement in their child’s learning within the accountability and community of a traditional school.

Best For: Families seeking a Christ-centered, bilingual Mandarin/Spanish immersion education with a STEAM focus in Greenville
Location: 225 S Pleasantburg Dr, Suites E8, E9, and D9, Greenville, SC
Website: charisacademysc.com 

Offers: Muslim culture and Arabic language immersion school. Preschool through 8th grade accepted.

Offers: K4-8th grade.

Curriculum: A Chinese/Mandarin language immersion curriculum along with standard education courses.