Is the Choice application process "first come/first served" or lottery-based?
The Choice application process is lottery-based. With the exception of specific instances where priority is given, all applicants (those who apply on the first day of the window and those who apply on the last day of the window) have the same chances of selection. The lottery is only conducted in cases where there are more applicants than slots available.

Do any of the Choice Programs have a 3K and/or 4K option?
The School of Choice programs for PYP-IB, STEAM- Elementary, Arts all begin in Kindergarten. The Montessori program includes 3K and 4K programs; this program is tuition-based and is included within the Choice application process.

If my child is in 4K at a Choice School, do I need to apply for the school’s Choice Program?
Yes, if you have a child in 4K at a School of Choice, you must still apply for the School of Choice to be considered for a slot in Kindergarten in the Choice Program. The only exception is the Montessori Program where you do not need to re-apply but will receive a letter of intent in the spring semester.

Is transportation provided for all programs?
Yes! Transportation is provided for all School of Choice programs.

How do I arrange transportation for my child?
Transportation is provided for all School of Choice programs. To arrange transportation for your child for the upcoming school year, please request using this online form or contact the Transportation Office at 981-2022.

May I remain at a School of Choice school if I withdraw from the program within the school?
Students who withdraw from the School of Choice program must enroll in their zoned school.

Do I have to apply for School of Choice if I live in the school zone? 
You need to only apply for School of Choice if the program offered is a program within a school (Inquiry, Montessori, Accelerated Studies). For whole school Choice Programs (STEAM, International Baccalaureate/IB, Arts Integration), applicants who live within the school’s zone do not need to apply.

If I am zoned for a School of Choice and move but want to remain in the program, what do I do? 
You do not need to complete the application. Please contact the registrar at the School of Choice regarding this process.

Can I be accepted into a School of Choice Program if I miss the application deadline? 
Individuals interested in choice programs who have not submitted the online application by the established deadline will be considered for programs for which there is availability. Please see the Current Choice Availability page.

Which applicants are given priority? 
Priority is given to:

1. applicants living within the school’s zone (with the exception of language immersion and whole school choice programs),
2. applicants with siblings enrolled in the program on the same level (elementary, middle, high), and
3. Rock Hill Schools employees.

I was not offered a slot for my 1st or 2nd choice program. May I be considered for or added to the waitlist for other programs? 
Applicants who are not offered slots for their 1st or 2nd choice program may be considered for other programs for which there is availability. Applicants who are not offered slots in their 1st or 2nd choice program will not be added to the waitlist for programs for which there is not availability.

If I am offered a slot in my 1st choice program, but change my mind, may I still be considered for a slot in my second choice program? 
If an applicant declines the offer of their first choice, they will not be granted an offer in their second choice or any other Choice program.

If I currently live outside of the school district but will be relocating within after the Choice application deadline, may I apply for School of Choice? 
If a potential applicant relocates to the Rock Hill Schools area after the deadline, please follow the procedures listed on the “Current Choice Availability” page to apply.

Are students who have been accepted into the South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics (SCGSSM) Accelerate program also required to complete a Choice Programs application?
No, students who are accepted into the SCGSSM Accelerate program are not required to complete a Choice Programs application.

If I have a child in the middle school Immersion Program (rising 6th-8th grade at the time application is submitted), is my elementary Immersion applicant given priority admittance? 
No, the sibling priority only applies to admittance into a program on the same level (elementary, middle, high).

Are students who transition from the middle school Immersion program to the high school Advanced Language Pathways still given the same options as all other choice students?
Students who transition from the middle school Immersion program to the Advanced Language Pathways track at Rock Hill High school are still able to enroll and attend regardless of their zoned high school as long as they reside within the district's boundaries. Students enrolled in the Advanced Language Pathways are eligible for bus transportation to and from school.

If I have a child in 5th or 8th grade in the Immersion Program, do I need to apply for Immersion for 6th or 9th grade?
No, parents/guardians of rising 6th grade and 8th grade Immersion students will be given an opportunity to express their intent to transition to the middle school Immersion program via an intent to transition form to be distributed by the school during the spring semester.

Are the siblings of students in French Immersion given priority in Spanish Immersion (and vice versa)? 
Students will be given priority for the Language Immersion Program of the language in which their sibling is currently enrolled.

How are students removed/withdrawn from Choice Programs?
Students who have been accepted for School Choice will remain in the choice school for the entire academic year unless the student demonstrates excessive absences and/or tardies.

Parents who wish to withdraw a student from a Choice program should notify the School of Choice of their decision to leave and then contact the registrar of the zoned school to enroll there.  Please note that students who are withdrawn from a Choice program may not re-enroll or re-apply to the Choice program.

Students who are withdrawn from a Choice program will return to their zoned school. 

Can my applicant be considered for a Choice Program if he/she plans to apply for the Rock Hill Schools Virtual Academy for the 2021-22 school year?
Applicants will have to choose between placement in the Rock Hill Schools Virtual Academy and one of the district Choice programs at a later date. Students cannot be enrolled in both RSVA and a Choice program during the upcoming school year.