PLEASE READ THE OVERVIEW & PROCEDURES CAREFULLY.

In an effort to give parents more flexibility and control in the education process, Darlington County School District offers Expanded Choice. The Expanded Choice program is not to be confused with the Title One Choice program as outlined by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

Under the Expanded Choice program, students have the opportunity to attend any public school they desire in Darlington County, if space is available. In order to be eligible for Expanded Choice, students must be residents of Darlington County. Choice selections will be based on space availability at the selected school. If there are more applicants than the space allows, the applicants’ names will be drawn in a random selection process.

Applicants will be notified of their random draw number by email on March 19, 2020. Parents will be sent a notification letter of their child’s selection to the choice school on June 10, 2020. The deadline to confirm or decline the Expanded Choice selection is June 25, 2020. The request to decline must be submitted in writing to Zoning, 120 East Smith Avenue in Darlington, SC 29532 or faxed to (843) 398-5207. The “Stay-Put” deadline goes into effect July 1, 2020. After the “Stay Put” deadline, students are expected to remain at the Expanded Choice School for at least the first semester. At the end of the first semester, a student may submit a written request to return to the school he/she was originally zoned to attend.

Students who exercise the choice option may remain at the Expanded Choice School until they move to the next school level (primary to elementary, elementary to middle, middle to senior high). For example, Johnny lives in Darlington and is zoned to attend Pate Elementary School. Johnny’s parents would like for him to attend first grade at Carolina Elementary School in Hartsville because they both work in Hartsville. Johnny’s parents may apply for Expanded Choice. If Johnny’s application for Expanded Choice is approved, he will be allowed to attend Carolina Elementary School and remain through 5th grade. Johnny’s parents will not have to reapply for Expanded Choice as long as Johnny attends Carolina Elementary School. However, when Johnny enters the 6th grade, he must return to the school for which he is zoned—Darlington Middle School. If Johnny’s parents would like for Johnny to attend Hartsville Middle School, they will have to submit another application for Expanded Choice to attend Hartsville Middle School.

For more information, contact Zoning at 843-398-2269 or visit us online at www.darlington.k12.sc.us

Please note the following in regards to the Expanded Choice program:

Darlington County School District will not provide transportation for the Expanded Choice program.

Child development (4K) programs are not included in the district’s Expanded Choice program.

If a child moves into the county after the request period ends, the child must attend the school to which he/she is zoned. A parent may apply during the next Expanded Choice cycle.

The only school exempted from the Expanded Choice program is Mayo High School. Darlington County schools with magnet programs (Brockington, Thornwell, Hartsville Middle, Darlington Middle, Hartsville High, and Darlington High) offer Expanded Choice as an option into the non-magnet program of the school. If a student would like to attend the magnet program at a school, he/she must apply during the magnet application period.

Students enrolled in special education programs that are offered at all schools may opt to transfer to another school, if space is available in the program. Students enrolled in special education programs that are offered at specific sites will continue to attend those sites.

Athletic eligibility for students who transfer under Expanded Choice will be governed by the South
Carolina High School League Constitution - Article VII - Student Eligibility Rules - www.schsl.org.

Please note the following dates in regards to the Expanded Choice program:
January 6, 2020
Expanded Choice application period begins.
January 24, 2020
Expanded Choice application period ends at 4:30 p.m..
March 19, 2020
Random selection draw for Expanded Choice. Parents notified by email of child’s number.
June 10, 2020
Parents are notified of the transfer request.
June 25, 2020
This is the deadline date for parents to confirm or decline the transfer request.
July 1, 2020
This is the deadline for parents to request a change for their child to return to their home school after accepting an Expanded Choice Slot. After this stay put date, the student must attend the Expanded Choice school selected until the end of the first semester. Any student wishing to return to their home school, must complete the necessary paperwork DURING the first semester. If approved, the student will be allowed to return to their home school on the first day of the second semester.