Oaklawn School

Oaklawn School was constructed in Lincolnton in the early 1920’s with financial assistance from the Rosenwald Fund, which helped to build more than 5,300 schools from Maryland to Texas between 1910 and 1932. The schools were built to elevate the level of education for African Americans in the South by setting up a fund to provide architectural plans and matching grants. The Oaklawn School was built as the first African American school in Lincolnton “to promote positive interaction between the black and white communities that culminated in working together toward a common cause”.

This project purposes renovation of the historic Oaklawn School for continued use by the Head Start Program form children, and the new home for Communities In Schools Lincoln County with the potential for other community activities such as civic functions, social services connections and gathering places. The recipients of these programs are 100% low income children that will therefore most benefit from interactive social programs designed to provide access to opportunities and advancement otherwise unavailable to the poor.

The project will renovate the historic and well-loved school, instilling pride in a predominantly low-income community. Having these programs located in the community will provide local children access to empowering programs that can and will lead to economic advancements. The renovation will also serve as a catalyst for future revitalization and continued development in the community, by returning the school to its former state. Plans include the addition of a room set aside specifically for historical school memorabilia, further increasing pride for the community.

With the renovation of the Oaklawn School, the surrounding neighborhood is anticipated to experience revitalization in interest, pride and community involvement. The school is a focal point, a landmark if you will, in a minority neighborhood. It reflects their heritage. The renovation will be a catalyst for future investment in the area. Its success and increased programs will spearhead the county’s commitment to the site and focus to the neighborhood. This will potentially lead to renovations and upgrades to public housing in the area, public infrastructure repairs, and owner-occupied home maintenance.”