Important Information about Choice II

Richland Two offers a second round of application and selection for Expanded Choice and Magnet Programs. Please read the information below very carefully to minimize any confusion about the application process.

Due to the popularity of these Choice programs, not all schools and programs are accepting applications for Choice 2. Furthermore, some programs only have openings for certain grade levels. If you apply to a grade level without openings, you are applying to be added to the wait pool. The information list below details which schools are open to Expanded Choice and where seats are currently available in our Magnet Programs. Please read this information carefully before making your application decisions.

Application Differences between Expand Choice and Magnet Programs

There are differences in the application process for Expanded Choice and Magnet Programs. The differences are based on the selection process - Magnets offer a limited number of seats per grade level while Expanded Choice schools do not select by grade level.

If you accepted a seat in an Expanded Choice Program, you can apply for another choice option in Choice 2.

If you accepted a seat in a Magnet Program during Choice 1, you are ineligible to apply for other Choice options in Choice 2.

If you applied to Magnet Programs in Choice I, but were not selected, you do not need to re-apply in Choice 2 for the same programs. Your Choice 1 applications remain in the waiting pool.

If you applied to Magnet Programs in Choice 1, but were not selected, you can apply to different magnet programs during Choice 2. However, applying for different programs during Choice 2 will take you out of the waiting pools for your Choice 1 selections. Duplicate applications may result in a delay or even non selection to programs.

Open Schoolwide Magnet Program with lottery selection

• Magnet: Conder Arts Integrated at L.W. Conder Elementary
• Magnet: FAME at Dent Middle
• Magnet: Longleaf Engineering and Arts Program (LEAP) at Longleaf Middle
• Magnet: Medical, Engineering, and Discovery through Arts (MED) at Bridge Creek Elementary
• Magnet: Ridge View High School: A Med Pro Magnet

Open School within-a-School magnets with lottery selection

• Magnet: Academy for Civic Engagement (ACE) at Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary

  Open to rising Grade Levels: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th

• Magnet: Center for Inquiry (CFI) at Summit Parkway Middle

  Open to rising Grade Levels: K

• Magnet: Center for Knowledge (CFK) at E.L. Wright Middle

  Open to rising Grade Levels: K, 5th

• Magnet: Convergence Media (CavPlex) at Richland Northeast High

  Open to rising Grade Levels: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th,

• Magnet: Elementary Learning Collaborative (ELC) at Forest Lake Elementary

  Open to rising Grade Levels: K, 1st

• Magnet: Language Immersion Academy at E.L. Wright Middle

  Open to rising Grade Levels: 6th, 7th, 8th

• Magnet: Language Immersion Academy at Polo Road Elementary

  Open to rising Grade Levels: K

• Magnet: STEMS at North Springs Elementary

  Open to rising Grade Levels: K

• R2Virtual School (formerly known as R2eSchool)

  Open to rising Grade Levels: 6th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th,

Open school-within-a-school magnets with selective criteria

• Magnet: Academy of Exercise Physiology and Sports Medicine at Summit Parkway Middle

  Open to rising Grade Levels: 6th, 7th, 8th

• Magnet: AVID Early College at Ridge View High School

  Open to rising Grade Levels: 9th

• Magnet: Center for Achievement (CFA) at Kelly Mill Middle

  Open to rising Grade Levels: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th

• Magnet: Discovery at Spring Valley High

  Open to rising Grade Levels: 9th

• Magnet: Explorations at Spring Valley High

  Open to rising Grade Levels: 9th

• Magnet: Horizon at Richland Northeast High

  Open to rising Grade Levels: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th,

• Magnet: INC. at Kelly Mill Middle

  Open to rising Grade Levels: 6th, 7th, 8th

• Magnet: Institute for Allied Health Sciences at Ridge View High

  Open to rising Grade Levels: 9th, 10th

• Magnet: Institute for BioHealth Sciences at Ridge View High

  Open to rising Grade Levels: 9th, 10th

• Magnet: Leadership Academy at Muller Road Middle

  Open to rising Grade Levels: 6th, 7th, 8th

• Magnet: Leadership Academy at Wright (LAW) at E.L. Wright Middle

  Open to rising Grade Levels: 6th, 7th, 8th

• Magnet: Palmetto Center for the Arts (PCA) at Richland Northeast High

  Open to rising Grade Levels: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th,

• Magnet: Scholars Academy Magnet for Business and Law at Ridge View

  Open to rising Grade Levels: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th,

• Magnet: School for Zoological and Botanical Studies at Longleaf Middle

  Open to rising Grade Levels: 6th, 7th, 8th

• Magnet: Studio D at Westwood High School

  Open to rising Grade Levels: 9th, 10th

• Magnet: The Learning Collaborative (TLC) at Dent Middle

  Open to rising Grade Levels: 6th, 7th, 8th

• Magnet: The STEM Institute of Design and Innovation (SIDI) at Summit Parkway Middle

  Open to rising Grade Levels: 6th, 7th, 8th

• Magnet: TWO Academies at Dent Middle

  Open to rising Grade Levels: 6th, 7th, 8th

Magnets closed to Choice for all grade levels

• Magnet: Center for Knowledge (CFK-North) at Muller Road Middle
• Magnet: Computer Science Immersion at Sandlapper Elementary
• Magnet: International Baccalaureate World School at E.L. Wright Middle
• Magnet: iRED at Westwood High
• Magnet: Med Pro at Kelly Mill Middle
• Magnet: NASA Explorer School (NES) at Forest Lake Elementary
• Magnet: Richland Northeast International Baccalaureate World School
• Magnet: School of Academics, Innovation, and Leadership (SAIL) at Rice Creek Elementary
• Magnet: School of Entrepreneurial Leadership (SEL) at Joseph Keels Elementary
• Magnet: STEAM Leadership Academy at Killian Elementary
• Magnet: The Montessori Magnet at Pontiac Elementary
• Magnet: Windsor Elementary International Baccalaureate PYP World School

Expanded Choice

Parents who exercise any of the choice options must provide transportation for their children. Students are expected to remain at the choice school until they move to the next level (elementary-middle-high) at which time they may apply for another choice. Parents and students are encouraged to exercise their choice options by selecting the school and programs that best meet their needs.

The District uses a Net 20 selection. With Net 20, each school open for Expanded Choice is allowed 20 transfer slots through the Choice process. The 20 slots may increase based on the number of students leaving that school through the Choice program. For example, if 13 students utilize “Expanded Choice” to attend another school, then that school losing the 13 students will have 20 transfer slots plus the additional 13 slots for a total of 33 slots.

Magnet Choice

Richland School District Two has a commitment to create world-class instructional programs that provide unique, high-quality learning opportunities and experiences for students. To this end, we are pleased to offer our magnet programs.

The instructional focus of our magnet programs is tailored to specific educational goals and outcomes. Our magnet programs provide ample choices that match the interests and aptitudes of selected students in our elementary, middle, and high schools.

The design of the magnet programs meets specific needs and reflects distinct educational philosophies. Each of these programs provides students with individual attention and challenging coursework geared to nurture their unique interests. Each offers diverse opportunities such as a particular teaching method, special course offerings, and an emphasis on a specific field of study.

Interested students throughout the district are encouraged to apply for admission to the magnet program of their choice. All students who live in the Richland School District Two attendance zone, as well as those who are affiliated with Fort Jackson in rising sixth through ninth grades, are eligible for admission into the district’s magnet programs. Magnet programs are an extension of our commitment to provide optimum learning settings for all of our students.

Admission is based on successful completion of the acceptance process, which includes meeting qualifying criteria. Each magnet program has limited enrollment capacity. Upon acceptance, students must transfer to the magnet’s host school and provide their own transportation.

AVID Early College

The AVID Early College is open to students who are willing to become part of the AVID class for all four years of highschool. Eligibility will be determined through a number of factors to include eighth grade PSAT score (if taken) or MAP andLexile scores. The Richland Two AVID Early College was established and is still housed at Ridge View High School. Rising ninth graders can apply now regardless of their attendance zone or magnet school selections.

Richland Two eSchool Program

Richland Two’s eSchool program is a full-time virtual learning program that offers families flexibility in learning from home. This rigorous program for students in grades 6-12 is designed to meet the individual needs of students by providing personalized learning pathways in an online setting. Students in this program demonstrate mastery of South Carolina Department of Education standards and district expectations for learning. This description provides the purpose of the Virtual School with a focus on how it can support families who need flexibility and students who thrive in the virtual environment.

Students in Richland Two’s eSchool program develop skills in self-advocacy with the goal of creating independent learners. Although the Virtual School is an online program, students must participate in face-to-face activities, including district/state/federal standardized testing and enrichment activities. Parents must provide transportation for these activities. Richland Two will provide a device for student use; however, families must have access to reliable internet service for daily online instruction.

Qualifications for School Choice

• Each year, based on the expected enrollment and capacity of each school, the school district decides which schools and programs will be open to Choice as well as how many students can be approved to attend a school through Choice.
• To apply for Choice, students must reside within Richland School District Two. Proof of Residency must be verified prior to final approval for a Choice Program.
• Students who are currently in kindergarten through 11th grade may apply for Choice. In addition, students who will begin kindergarten in the upcoming year may apply.
• Preschool age students (ages three and four) are not eligible to use Choice to gain entry into a preschool program (except for applying to Montessori at Pontiac). The Center for Child Development (CFCD) handles all pre-K applications and enrollments.
• Students receiving special education may apply for choice to a magnet school, magnet program, virtual school, or another school within the district through the Choice program. During application periods, parents/guardians apply online and follow the district’s school choice process. The decision to grant the choice request is based on the student’s programming needs and program capacity at the school of choice. Richland Two adheres to state special education program capacity guidelines. Once a student is granted choice, all district transportation rules apply and the student is no longer eligible to receive district transportation, including Special Needs Transportation to and from school. Parents/guardians are responsible for transportation to their school of choice.
• Parents whose children participate in any of the district's Choice programs must provide transportation for their children to and from school. The inability of a student to meet the attendance expectations of the Choice school will lead to Choice being revoked. In that case, the student must then return to the zoned school.
• A Sibling Transfer is a transfer granted for a student when the student’s sibling is attending or will attend the requested school during the same year through an approved District transfer. In order to qualify for this allowance, a student must reside in the same household as the student approved for the District transfer. The sibling transfer may be used to allow the requesting sibling to transfer into a school without participating in Choice or transfer into a school when one student is selected for a transfer through Choice and the other sibling is not. Once a student is granted a sibling transfer, the student may remain at the school for the remainder of that level (Elem. Middle, High) as long as the student's parent/guardian continues to reside in Richland Two.
• The rules of the South Carolina High School League determine eligibility for interscholastic athletics and activities for middle and high school students. It is the parents’ and students’ responsibility to be aware of these athletic procedures before applying for a Choice option. Any student who accepts a Choice program and participates in an athletic activity at the Choice school during the spring or summer (cheerleading tryouts, spring football practice, summer team camps) may have their eligibility affected. If you have questions regarding Choice and participation in interscholastic athletics, please contact your school’s athletic director prior to applying for a Choice program or a transfer to a school other than your zoned school. Additionally, many eligibility concerns are addressed in the athletics frequently asked questions.
• Employee and School Board Choice cannot be used for an approval into magnet programs, magnet centers, AVID Early College or the Richland Two eSchool Program.. Employees must apply to magnet programs, magnet centers, AVID Early College or the Richland Two eSchool Program through the Choice online process. Employees and school board members who cease working in Richland Two or participating on the board immediately lose eligibility for this enrollment benefit.
• Any student attending a school through Choice must maintain exemplary punctuality and attendance at school, cooperate with the school in regards to academic and disciplinary expectations and provide transportation to and from school and submit required annual Proof of Residency as a condition of remaining at the school.
• If approved for a Richland School District Two School Choice program, a student does not need to apply yearly for the same program. Choice approvals are valid for the duration of a student's stay at the approved school until they change schools or move out of Richland School District Two. There are circumstances that will cause a student to have their Choice revoked pertaining to poor attendance, lack of cooperation with the school and academic performance in programs (magnets, AVID) that require maintenance of academic standards.

The Lottery Process

Not all programs offered by the district are placed by lottery selection. The lottery number assignment process is automated and not subject to individual assignment.

During the choice process administrators will indicate their readiness for the lottery process to proceed at which time the expanded choice administrator will initiate the process that selects students at random from their respective pools and assigns them a number. The numbers are sequential meaning for a program with 50 applicants 50 lottery numbers, 1 through 50, will be assigned at random. No weighting or other criteria are used for this selection and assignment.

To prevent tampering assigned lottery numbers are encrypted during the lottery process and decrypted for program administrators when selections are made. At no time is the data stored in raw form.

The district uses industry accepted best practices for random number generation and assignment.