Hundreds of Beaufort County parents and students gathered information and asked questions about the Beaufort County School District’s expanded menu of instructional options at a pair of regional fairs last week.

All of the district’s schools staffed information booths at the fairs, held at Beaufort and Bluffton high schools, to explain the curriculum choices that they will offer for the 2015-16 academic year.  In coming weeks, individual schools will host their own parent 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.

Students whose applications into academic choice programs are accepted will be able to attend schools outside their zoned attendance areas.

“It’s encouraging to see the interest and enthusiasm that parents are showing for our expanded school choice program,” said Superintendent Jeff Moss. “You can tell from the questions they ask that they’re fully engaged with trying to match their children’s talents and interests with the different academic programs that the district is offering.”

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 were posted to the district’s website on Friday, March 13, and must be postmarked or turned in to the district’s Office of Student Services no later than Wednesday, April 15. Paper copies of the application will be available in school offices.