Join the Power Pack!
Open enrollment for the 2024–25 school year is closed.
However, we accept applications year-round, and any K–11 student who is a South Carolina resident can apply. If no seats are available, we place applicants on a first-come, first-served waiting list.
Applications for the 2025–26 school year will open in January 2025. At that time, our tuition-free public charter school will accept applications for K–12 students and become a fully inclusive learning community with Elementary, Middle, and High Schools.
Virtus Academy is open to all students, and anyone who is a South Carolina resident can attend if there is space available in the appropriate grade level.
- Small Class Sizes
- Project-Based Learning Curriculum
- Vista Afterschool Care
- Half-Day Fridays
- Spirited Pursuit of Excellence
Questions?
Contact our admissions director at 843-799-4032, ext. 102
or email enrollment@virtusacademysc.org
Virtus Lottery Procedures
Virtus Academy of South Carolina uses an online platform to manage applications, lottery, and waitlists. The Application Form will ask for Parent/Guardian Name, Student Name, Birthdate, Grade, Phone Number, Address, and Email. It will also ask if there are any siblings applying for admission. We will not ask for any information regarding IEP, 504, IAP, etc.
Applications may continue to be received after the deadline, but will be placed on the waitlist and not included in the lottery if applicable. If the number of applications received before the application deadline does not meet or exceed capacity, then applications will be received and admission will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants in the lottery will be notified by phone or electronic communication. All attempts to contact families will be documented.
Enrollment Policies and Procedures
Thank you for your interest in Virtus Academy of South Carolina. Virtus Academy is a tuition free, public charter school that does not discriminate on account of race, creed, color, disability, socio-economic status, or nation origin (Section 59-63-40).
Virtus Academy is sponsored by the Charter Institute at Erskine which is governed by the South Carolina Department of Education. Charter Schools are bound by the South Carolina Code of Laws found in Title 59- Education; Chapter 40. Below is information taken from the Charter School Laws as well as the General Pupils, Chapter 63, Title 59 for Education. This information is specific to Virtus Academy of South Carolina operating as a public charter school, authorized by the Charter Institute at Erskine whereby any student that is a resident of South Carolina that meets the state requirements, listed below, may attend.
Enrollment Process
Any student that resides in the State of South Carolina and meets the state requirements may attend Virtus Academy of South Carolina. An application must be completed and submitted to the school through our website www.virtusacademysc.org.
In addition to filling out the application, certain documents are required, a comprehensive list is provided below.
New students must first complete the Application Form for the upcoming school year to be considered for enrollment. Returning students must complete the reenrollment forms on Powerschool each year they plan to return; however, they will be automatically re-enrolled into the program upon completion of the form and will not be required to enter into the lottery should one be necessary.
Application Screenshots
Below are screenshots of our Application process.
Enrollment Windows & Lottery Process
Virtus Academy has an open enrollment policy, meaning that students may submit an application at any time of the year; however, Virtus Academy uses a lottery system to enroll students during the Spring Semester for the following school year. Following our Spring lottery, applications are collected and seats are filled on a first come first serve basis until capacity is reached in a class, grade level, or building. A lottery is not required if capacities are not reached.
- Spring Enrollment Cycle
Returning student registration will be distributed between January and February and must be returned by the specified deadline in the letter. Returning students will be placed and the number of spaces available will be determined and filled with new applicants. New applicant applications will be collected from the time of the close of the Intent to Return collection cycle. If more applications are collected than seats available, a lottery will be conducted to fill the available seats. New applicants will be notified if they obtained a spot shortly after the deadline. - Exception Enrollment Cycle
Virtus Academy of South Carolina will give enrollment preference to the groups as specified below. If a space is available, siblings, a child of an employee or committee member may be given the available seat at any time during the year.
Enrollment Priorities
South Carolina law states that a charter school may give enrollment priority the following groups: (SC 59-40-50 B 8)
Additional Provisions
If a charter school DENIES admission to a student, the student may appeal the denial to the sponsor and the final decision is binding (SC 59-40-50 C 1).
“If a charter school suspends or expels a student, other charter schools or the local school district in which the charter school is located has the authority but not the obligation to refuse admission to the student” (SC 59-40-50 C 2).
Age of Attendance
Persons between the age of 5 and 21 are eligible to attend public school in the State of South Carolina. Kindergarten students must turn 5 on or before September 1 of the applicable school year and First Grade Students must turn 6 on or before September 1 of the applicable year, with the following exceptions:
Residency Requirements
Virtus Academy of SC students must be a resident of the state of South Carolina.
Disciplinary Requirements
The child has not been guilty of infraction of the rules of conduct promulgated by the trustees of such school district pursuant to Section 59-19-90.
Requirements to enroll child in public school; affidavit; penalties for providing false information. (SECTION 59-63-32).
Virtus Academy of South Carolina may require an adult seeking to enroll a child to accept responsibility for making educational decisions concerning the child. These educational decisions may include, but not be limited to, receiving notices of discipline pursuant to Sections 59-63-230 and 59-63-240, attending conferences with school staff, and granting permission for athletic activities, field trips, and other activities as required.
Virtus Academy of South Carolina must require an adult to complete and sign an affidavit accepting responsibility for educational decisions for the child.
Documents Required to Complete Enrollment
- Legal Birth Certificate, including certificate number or other proof of age, (birth record, physician record)
- Immunization Record- see requirements per DHEC
- Proof of Residence, current – within the last 90 days. This is required to show residence in the State of South Carolina and is needed for charter school funding purposes. Students from any district in the State of South Carolina are permitted to attend Virtus Academy of South Carolina, provided they complete the requirements for enrollment.
- Completed Virtus Academy Enrollment Powerschool Form
- Completion of the Free and Reduced Lunch Form
Enrollment Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the school currently enrolling?
A: Grade levels K–11 are open for enrollment.
Q: What grade levels are currently open for enrollment?
A: Yes! To apply, complete the Application Form found under the “Apply” tab at the top of the
page.
Q: Does submitting an interest form guarantee my child will be admitted?
A: No, we currently have rolling admissions, either filling available student spaces or adding to
a waitlist on a first come, first served basis.
Q: No, we currently have rolling admissions, either filling available student spaces or adding to
a waitlist on a first come, first served basis.
A: Yes! All current students receive an “Intent to Return” letter with a specified deadline to
reserve their seat. The school will give preference to students currently enrolled who wish to
return. However, if the “Intent to Return” letters are not received by the given deadline, the
space will be made available to the next family in line and a new application will need to be
completed and submitted. Please contact enrollment@virtusacademysc.org for any questions
or help finding and completing the forms.
Q: Do I need to submit a form if I have more than one child I wish to enroll?
A: Yes. Please submit a form for each child, even if they are siblings.
Q: Does the school admit students based on grades or other criteria?
A: No. Virtus Academy of South Carolina is open to any student who resides in South Carolina
and does not discriminate based on race, creed, color, religion, disability, gender, nationality, or
any other reason.
Q: How much does it cost to attend the school?
A: VASC is a free, public charter school. There is no fee for admission.
Q: When do I submit my registration paperwork?
A: Once you have received your confirmation of acceptance and registration forms have been
sent, families have two weeks to submit the required registration form and documents.
