Answers for families
Frequently asked questions
Everything from how a charter school works to how our enrollment lottery decides who gets a seat. Still have a question? We’re happy to help.
About GREEN Charter Schools
What is a charter school?
A charter school is an independently run public school. Charter schools are granted greater flexibility in their operations. In return for this flexibility, charter schools are expected to perform at a higher level of standard in both test scores and graduation rates.
What grades are offered at GREEN Charter School?
At our inception in the fall of 2013, GREEN Charter School opened with grades Kindergarten through 6th. As of 2022, GREEN offers K-12th grades.
Is there a cost to attend your school?
Charter schools are tuition-free, like all public schools. All students, regardless of background, are eligible to submit an application for the lottery.
What is the student/teacher ratio at GREEN Charter School?
The average class size is approximately 20 students. Each grade level has 2-4 classes, therefore the number of students per grade level varies. Smaller class sizes enable more one-on-one time between the teacher and students.
Do you provide transportation, breakfast and/or lunch?
There will be no school bus service at the GREEN Charter School. Our school offers free and reduced price lunch to all eligible students. Parents/guardians are encouraged to fill out an application every year as the standards change.
My child has an IEP, or receives other special services; can you accommodate his/her needs?
Yes. We accommodate all children and their individual learning needs. Our resource coordinator will require a copy of your child’s IEP or 504 plan in order to schedule them accordingly. You can request your child’s current school to send us a copy if you do not have a current copy at home.
Does GREEN Charter School have a Gifted “Challenge” Program?
GREEN Charter School recognizes all students who have qualified for the Gifted and Talented program through the state of South Carolina. Gifted classes start in 3rd grade and each gifted class is given advanced level work. GREEN utilizes the special class option instead of a “pull-out” system. This allows our students to be taught advanced work in each core subject every day. GREEN has also implemented an Advanced Program for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students, including small-group advanced instruction in English Language Arts, Mathematics and Science, with the opportunity to earn high school credits in middle school.
Is there a school uniform?
Yes. Every student is required to wear the school shirt and khaki or navy pants (or a skirt of knee length for girls). Jeans are allowed for high school students. School shirts are available in short or long sleeves. Shorts are permitted in warm weather. PE uniform, which includes school shorts and shirts, will be available in the main office.
Besides an application, what other documents do I need?
After acceptance, the following documents are required: a copy of the applicant’s birth certificate; the most recent report card to verify the grade applying for; proof of residency in the State of South Carolina; a copy of the IEP or 504 plan (if applicable); a copy of the immunization record; and a Home Language Survey.
How can I find out about school closings such as holidays and early dismissal days?
All school closings, holidays and early dismissal days are listed on the school calendar issued at the beginning of the school year. If you do not have one, please contact the main office for another copy, or visit our website. Inclement-weather closings are also announced on local television stations and our Facebook page.
Enrollment & the lottery
Do I have to reapply if I applied last year?
Yes. We conduct a new lottery for all seats every year. Waitlists do not carry over from year to year.
Who is considered a sibling for current sibling preference?
To be considered a “sibling” for purposes of sibling preference, an applicant must share at least one birth, adopted, foster, or stepparent with a student who is currently enrolled at GREEN.
If I apply to more than one campus and accept a seat at a school, can I stay on the other waitlists?
No. If a student applies to multiple campuses, and accepts a seat at any GREEN Charter campus, they will be removed from the waitlists of all other GREEN Charter campuses.
If my sibling is enrolled in 3rd grade at a campus, can I get preference for a seat at a different one?
No. For grades K-8, students only receive Current Sibling Preference or Family Preference at the campus their sibling attends. Students who apply to GREEN Upstate High School will get Current Sibling Preference, because it is our only high school, and the school their younger sibling attends does not offer the grades they need.
If I said I was not returning to GREEN next year and changed my mind later, can I get my seat back?
Maybe. When you tell us you are not returning, we offer your seat to another family in the lottery. We can only give you your seat back if no one has already taken it.
How does preference work?
Every student who applies is assigned a random Lottery Number by Scribbles. Students are then placed into Tiers — Tier 1: dependents of active-duty military; Tier 2: children of GREEN staff members; Tier 3: siblings of current students; Tier 4: family preference for applying siblings; Tier 5: all other applicants without preference. The lottery seats every student in Tier 1, then Tier 2, and so on, seating students within each tier by their randomly assigned Lottery Number.
Still have questions?
Email info@scgreencharter.org or call 864-412-5003.