Military Families
Richland Two Military Families
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Military Families and the Choice program
The Choice period occurs in two sessions. Session I occurs from December to January and session II occurs from the beginning of May until the end of May. Military families anticipating a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) may participate in Choice while residing out of Richland Two by providing proof of (PCS) preferably military orders and proof of future residence in Richland Two. If unable to participate as specified above, families moving into Richland Two after the Choice deadline may only request to attend a school that has been determined to have additional capacity at that time to allow transfer student enrollment.
Magnet applications for military families whose student (s) meet magnet programs eligibility requirements will be available. Only magnet programs under capacity will be eligible. Decisions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Contact Director of Magnet Programs, Ms. Barbara Turner at baturner@richland2.org for details and questions. Contact the Registrar's Office for details.
What is Choice?
While Richland School District Two students are assigned to schools based on their residential address, they may apply to a magnet school or another school (Expanded Choice) within the district through the Choice program. This program offers parents and students residing in Richland District Two the opportunity to request permission to attend a school other than their residentially assigned school. The online application opens several times a year and assignments take effect the following school year.
Magnet applications for military families whose student (s) meet magnet programs eligibility requirements will be available and the deadline extended to the end of the first quarter. Only magnet programs under capacity will be eligible. Decisions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Contact Director of Magnet Programs, Ms. Barbara Turner at baturner@richland2.org for details and questions.
Please note:
- Certain schools may be at capacity and thus closed to Choice. See the list of schools closed to Choice. The list of schools closed to Choice changes after each session of Choice. To get accurate information, contact the District Registrar’s office.
- Magnets already at capacity or with certain curriculum requirements may also be closed.
Learn about the Richland Two Choice program here.
Explore Richland Two and magnet programs here.
Families living on Fort Jackson are encouraged to click on the “Fort Jackson Residents” link to the right. The link will take you to a page that includes information about options for the 2020-2021 school year for children in kindergarten through sixth grade.
Richland Two is a suburban school district located in the midlands region of South Carolina and is one of the state’s fastest-growing districts. It has garnered national and state recognitions for academic and overall excellence, including National Blue Ribbon Schools, Palmetto’s Finest Awards, Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards, Exemplary Writing Awards and Red Carpet Awards. The district ranks second in the state in the number of national board certified teachers. The student population is a mix of ethnic cultures and socio-economic strata.
Purple Star District
In August 2019, Richland Two was named a Purple Star School District by the South Carolina State Department of Education and members of the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) for the creation of the District’s Military Community Liaison. The position has been filled by Kelsie Carter, a US Air Force spouse. Richland Two is one of two school districts in the entire state to earn this designation. The Purple Stars Schools program, a new statewide recognition program celebrates schools and districts that make a significant commitment to welcome and support military families.
SC Department of Education Criteria for Purple Star
- Assign a designated liaison to be a single point of contact for military families and military-connected students who is trained to support issues that face military families, including relocation, deployment, loss and academic training
- Create a website specifically for military families to provide current information about schools and the district
- Adhere to the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission to ensure that students receive transfer credit from previous schools so they will not have to retake classes
- Ensure that transfer students can participate in sports, clubs and other school enrichment programs
- Provide specialized training for school counselors, staff and administrators.
Over 3,500 of the district’s more than 28,000 students are military connected, with either a parent/guardian serving actively in the armed forces or working for the military. Since 2011, Richland Two has received $3.2 million from the Department of Defense Education Activity to fund the “Victory Initiative.” The funds will impact 2,379 military connected students at Spears Creek Road Child Development Center, Anna Boyd School, Center for Achievement, Bookman Road, Bridge Creek, Catawba Trail, Lake Carolina, Polo Road, Pontiac, Rice Creek and Sandlapper elementary schools; Blythewood, Kelly Mill, Longleaf, and Summit Parkway middle schools; and Richland Northeast and Ridge View high schools.
The money will be used to create or bolster existing Student-2-Student activities, after-school and summer school programs for military students, a military handbook to help military children and their families transition into school culture and other programs. The District is bordered by schools in Fairfield County, Kershaw County and Richland School District One.
The district serves Fort Jackson, the nation’s largest military training facility. Click on the bold green links on the right for valuable information.
Kelsie Carter
Richland Two Military Community Liaison
kecarter@richland2.org
803.691.4867
Officer Fred C. Henley
Fort Jackson School Liaison
fred.c.henley.naf@army.mil
803.751.6150.