Choice Program
Richland School District Two students are assigned to schools based on their residential address, they may apply to a magnet school, virtual school, or another school within the district through the Choice program. During application periods, parents/guardians apply online, indicating up to three schools/programs they would like to attend. Parents/guardians return to the application at a pre-determined time to accept or decline placement offers. Placements take effect the following school year. Only students residentially zoned for Richland School District Two are eligible to apply and participate in the Richland Two Choice Program.
The Choice Program is made up of three elements: Expanded Choice, Magnets and Richland Two's eSchool Program.
Richland Two’s Magnet Programs offer learning opportunities related to various themes for interested students. Students in Richland School District Two may apply to a Magnet Program regardless of where they are zoned. The purpose of Magnet Programs are to meet students’ diverse needs and interests by maximizing potential for learning and growth; encouraging creativity; maintaining high standards; and creating an awareness of career opportunities relative to the fields of study in which students may be interested. Richland Two offers several different types of Magnets.
Expanded Choice offers parents and students the opportunity to apply to attend a school other than the school for which they are zoned. Selection of non-zoned students is based on school capacity and determined through lottery. Parents/guardians must provide transportation. Magnets are designed to meet students’ diverse needs and interests by maximizing potential for learning and growth; encouraging creativity; maintaining high standards; and creating an awareness of career opportunities relative to the fields of study in which students may be interested. Parents/guardians must provide transportation.
Richland Two eSchool Program for Middle and High School Students offers parents and students a full time virtual learning experience that provides flexibility in learning from home. Students in this program develop skills as independent learners with personalized learning pathways. Students demonstrate mastery of South Carolina Department of Education standards and Richland Two expectations for learning.
How Do I Apply to Choice?
The Choice application must be completed online. If you need assistance, please let us know. There are two online application periods for Choice. Choice 1 takes place in December/January. Choice 2 occurs in May.
Video in English
Video en español
A few things to note:
- If you accept a seat in a magnet program during Choice 1, you are ineligible to apply for other Choice options in Choice 2.
- If you apply to magnet programs in Choice 1, but are not selected, you do not need to re-apply in Choice 2 for the same programs. Your Choice 1 applications remain in the magnet program waiting pool.
- If you apply to magnet programs in Choice 1, but are 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.
- Not all schools and magnet programs accept applications during Choice 2. Furthermore, some magnet 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 for the magnet program.
- Any applications that are started but not submitted prior to the deadline will not be accepted and withdrawn.
- In order to find out if your student was accepted into a Choice program/school you must log back into your Choice application account with your username and password.
Applications are split into two categories: Lottery Selection or Criterion Selection.
Lottery selection
Expanded Choice - offers students the opportunity to apply to attend a school other than the school for which they are zoned. The selection of non-zoned students is based on school capacity.
Schoolwide Magnet - allows all students to participate in the specialized focus of the school.
Criterion selection
School-Within-a-School Magnet - students participate in a program that has an instructional focus that varies from the full school focus.
Magnet Centers- small theme-based schools located in a building adjacent to a larger school campus.
R2eSchool - offers students in grades 6-12 a full-time virtual learning experience that provides flexibility in learning from home. Students in this program develop skills as independent learners with personalized learning pathways. Students demonstrate mastery of South Carolina Department of Education standards and Richland Two expectations for learning.
Remember, your Residentially Zoned School is also a wonderful option! Richland Two prides itself on providing excellent educational opportunities at all our schools. You do not have to submit an application for your child to attend your zoned school or its schoolwide magnet.