Online applications for the highly-rated Bridges Preparatory School will be open through Jan. 31 for newly-enrolling students in grades K-12.

Bridges Prep, rated one of the top state charter schools based on state report cards issued last month, is a no-tuition school in Beaufort and Port Royal. The school serves more than 700 students with an active learning approach focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Construction is underway on a new school facility on Robert Smalls Parkway in Port Royal. Upper School students attend classes there in new, large modular classrooms. Students in grades 3-7 attend classes at 1100 Boundary Street while the youngest learners attend class on Lady’s Island – until a full new school is built in Port Royal.

Applications are taken online at www.bridgesprep.org. Each new student applying for enrollment will be placed into a lottery for spots at Bridges Prep in 2019-20. To help and encourage families to apply, computer kiosks are available at all three Bridges Prep campuses – the main office at 1100 Boundary Street, K-12 at Celadon on Lady’s Island and the Upper School in Port Royal.

“What a time to be part of Bridges Prep,” said outgoing Board of Directors Chair Dee Matthews. “We are building our new school, we have a new Head of School who is a finalist for the South Carolina Principal of the Year, our state report card was good but with room for improvement, and our families stay connected to the school in so many ways.”

In January, families already attending Bridges Prep will be asked to submit their letters of intent to return for the upcoming school year, and those students are guaranteed a spot. Newly-enrolling students will be chosen by lottery for available spots in each grade.

Students already on the wait list will retain their spot with new applicants lining up after them when a grade level has a wait list. Applications received after Jan. 31 won’t be included in the Feb. 15 lottery and will be wait-listed.

To apply, visit www.bridgesprep.org and go to “Apply” on the left-side navigation. Online applications are available in English and Spanish.