Beaufort County parents have until next week to submit applications for their children to attend academic programs in schools outside their zoned attendance areas. More than 1100 applications have already been received. Completed applications must be mailed and postmarked no later than Wednesday, April 15th or hand-delivered in person to the Office of Student Services no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 15 at 2900 Mink Point Boulevard, Beaufort, SC 29902.

“Everywhere I go these days, parents and community members are talking about this,” said Superintendent Jeff Moss. “There’s a ton of interest, and parents are asking lots of questions and doing their research in matching 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, language immersion, early college, leadership programs and advanced math and science. Application forms are posted on line for parents to download and complete, and paper copies are available at all district schools.

Beaufort County students who attend Choice Programs will not pay additional 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.

Moss said that all district schools will maintain a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) focus, as well as a core that includes the arts, world languages and technology.

Complete information on the district’s school choice program is available on the district’s website at www.beaufort.k12.sc.us/pages/BCSD/School_Choice.