Does my student have to take a test to apply to CREECS?
There is no test requirement. CREECS is a public charter school, not a magnet school, and as such cannot require admission testing. Learning at CREECS will focus on educating the whole child, involving families and community members in education, teaching state standards and twenty-first century skills, and providing learning opportunities that foster engaged citizenship and environmental stewardship. Parents can decide if this is the right learning environment for their students.
Does my student have to live in a certain county or school district in order to attend CREECS?
CREECS is open to students in all school districts and counties in South Carolina.
Does CREECS charge tuition?
CREECS is a public charter school and is free to all students just like other public schools.
When can my student apply for admission?
You can apply for the 2012-2013 school year beginning now. For more information, visit the Enrollment page.
What grades will be accepted for admission for the 2012/2013 school year?
CREECS will begin teaching K5 through 5th grade.
Is CREECS a virtual school?
No, CREECS is a “brick and mortar” school just like most public schools.
What is the difference between CREECS and a magnet school?
Charter schools, like CREECS, differ from magnet schools in governance, admission policies and instructional strategies. For more information, please click here.
How will enrollment applications be received and processed?
Applications for enrollment must be received by 4:30 pm (EST) on January 9, 2012. CREECS will notify parents via email or USPS to confirm the school’s receipt of their application. Applications received after 4:30 pm on January 9, 2012 will be considered on a space-available basis and in the order upon which they are received.
Who is eligible to attend CREECS?
CREECS is open to students who will be eligible for grades K5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 for the school year 2012-2013.
There is no residency or testing requirement to attend CREECS, but you do have to be a resident of South Carolina upon the first day of school.
In accordance with Section 59-40-50 of the South Carolina Charter Schools Act, Cape Romain Environmental Education Charter School’s admission policy will be to admit all children eligible to attend public school in South Carolina, subject to space limitations. Students applying for admissions to K5 must be five years old on or before September 1, 2012. The school will recruit, register and admit students without regard to race, religion, gender, natural origin, disability, or need for special education services.
What happens if you get more applications than space available?
A lottery will be conducted. See below for how this lottery will be conducted.
How will a lottery be conducted for each year of operation if applications exceed the capacity?
If the number of applications received between October 1 and January 9, exceeds the number of pupils permitted per grade, a lottery will be conducted for that grade level(s), in compliance with Section 59-40-50 of the SCCSA (1996). Parents or guardians of all affected applicants will be notified via email or USPS that the lottery will occur on the Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at CREECS at 6:30pm. The lottery will be conducted as a public meeting and representatives of Cape Romain Environmental Education Charter School and a recruited SC Notary Public will be on hand to conduct and ensure lawful operation of the lottery.
Procedures for each lottery will be as follows:
(a) a lottery card will be made bearing the name of each applicant involved and sealed in an unmarked envelope;
(b) the envelopes containing the lottery cards will be placed in a large, bin and thoroughly shuffled;
(c) the Notary will draw one envelope at a time then read the name of the applicant as it appears on the card;
(d) a record of the order in which the names are called will be kept by the Secretary of the Charter Committee or Board of Directors, as well as recorded on the student’s application.
This process will continue until all of the envelopes have been drawn, opened, and recorded. The class roster for the affected grade will include the students whose names were drawn in lottery order equaling the number of enrollment openings for that grade. The remaining names will compose the wait list for that grade by order of their lottery number. There is no appeal process when an applicant is denied admission because of lottery results and acceptance to the school, through standard enrollment or lottery, may not be deferred to another school year.
