March 1 is the deadline for Beaufort’s school district for parent’s wishing to have their children attend academic programs in schools outside their zoned attendance areas. Parents can submit the application in three different ways, according to a news release by Community Services Coordinator, Carizma Thomas Brown:
Complete an online application on the School Choice Headquarters page of the district’s website. Online applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 1.
Complete a hard-copy application that can be downloaded and printed from the School Choice Headquarters site, or picked up from any district school. Hard-copy applications must be mailed (and postmarked no later than Tuesday, March 1) to Carolyn Bostick, Office of Student Services, Beaufort County School District, 2900 Mink Point Blvd., Beaufort, SC 29901.
Hand-deliver a hard-copy application no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, to the Beaufort County School District’s main offices at 2900 Mink Point Blvd. in Beaufort.
Please be sure to submit your application(s) with one of the three methods.
The Board of Education has approved curriculum options like Montessori, International Baccalaureate, arts-infused, Classical Studies, dual language immersion, early college, leadership programs and advanced math and science. Students who attend a choice program don’t pay additional tuition, but families are responsible for their students’ transportation if they live outside of the school’s attendance zone. The choice schools service both children who live within and outside of their attendance zones. “School Choice Headquarters” on the district’s website can offer more information about instructional options as well as answer questions about the application process.
The 2016-17 academic year is the second for the district’s expansion of choice initiative, which allows parents to “shop” for instructional approaches that fit their children’s interests, talents, and strengths. So far 800 applications have been turned in. Applications that have already been approved have allowed more than 2,900 students, about 13% of the district’s total enrollment, to attend schools outside their designated zones, according to the news release. Due to the fact that parents whose applications were approved during Year 1 don’t have to reapply, applications numbers are expected to be lower this year.
“The community interest in school choice has been phenomenal,” said Superintendent Jeff Moss. “Parents are doing their research and asking lots of questions, all aimed at finding the best academic options for their kids.”
“All children learn differently, and the district’s school choice program recognizes and accommodates those different learning styles,” Moss said. “We offer students ways to learn that are customized to their personal talents and interests. They can build their confidence while they increase their knowledge and learn new skills.” Moss wants parents to know that all district schools do maintain a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics focus and a core that includes English Language Arts, the arts and world languages.