The Beaufort County School District’s menu of instructional options for students is about to get much bigger, and parents can learn more about their school choices at regional and individual school information fairs beginning next month.

Two regional information fairs will give students and their parent’s opportunities to learn about the district’s choice programs and how to apply for them. The first fair (6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at Beaufort High School) will cover choice programs in northern Beaufort County. The second fair (6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at Bluffton High School) will cover choice programs in southern Beaufort County.

In the weeks after the two regional fairs, individual schools will host their own meetings so students and parents can learn more about the choices they offer. A complete calendar of information fairs is available on the district’s School Choice Headquarters website (www.beaufort.k12.sc.us/pages/BCSD/School_Choice).

“Every parent knows from personal experience that all children learn differently,” said Superintendent Jeff Moss. “The old one-size-fits-all model of education simply doesn’t address that fact. Our new district-wide school choice program offers students ways to learn that are customized to their personal talents and interests. By doing that, we engage them and build their confidence while they increase their knowledge and learn new skills.”

Curriculum options approved by the Board of Education include such instructional choices as Montessori, International Baccalaureate, arts infused, Classical Studies, dual language immersion, early college, leadership programs and advanced math and science.

Beaufort County students who attend choice programs will not pay extra tuition, although families will be responsible for their students’ transportation if they live outside of the school’s attendance zone. All choice schools will also serve children who live in their attendance zones, in addition to students from outside the zone who apply to attend.

School choice applications will be posted to the district’s website on Friday, March 13, and must be turned in by Wednesday, April 15. Paper copies of the application will be available in school offices. Moss said that all district schools will maintain a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics focus, as well as a core includes the arts, world languages and technology.