SCHOOL ADMISSIONS/ATTENDANCE AREAS/RESTRICTIONS
JBC
Generally, all persons of legally defined and mandated school age who reside in the district may attend
the free public schools of that district. Thus, the public schools will admit any student who lives in the
district with parents, with a legal guardian, with officially recognized foster parents, or with a competent
adult willing to assume responsibility for the student. If applicable, the district may require proof of
residency or legal guardianship.
All students entering the school system must present a birth certificate to verify their date of birth. Such
students must also present immunization documents as required by the South Carolina Department of
Health and Environmental Control.
To maximize access to educational opportunities for all students, Oconee County is divided into four
high school attendance areas, with one high school and at least one middle school in each area. These
attendance areas are further divided into elementary zones, each with at least one elementary school in
each area. These areas and zones are delineated on maps and supplemental notations maintained in
the district office.
Beginning with the 1998-99 school year, all kindergarten and first grade students must attend school in
the attendance area in which they reside. Beginning with the 1999-00 school year, all kindergarten, first
and second grade students must attend school in the attendance area in which they reside. Beginning
with the 2000-01 school year, all kindergarten, first, second and third grade students must attend school
in the attendance area in which they reside. Beginning 2001-02 school year, all kindergarten, first,
second, third and fourth grade students must attend school in the attendance area in which they reside.
Beginning with the 2002-03 school year, all kindergarten, first, second, third, fourth and fifth grade
students must attend school in the attendance area in which they reside. Students of district employees
are exempt from these restrictions.
At the elementary grades not covered by the above restrictions and at the middle and high school levels,
the board authorizes an “open door” policy whereby students may attend schools outside their resident
attendance areas provided the following conditions are met: (see Exhibit JBC-E)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
That space is available at the school of choice.
That the parent/guardian agrees for the student to remain at that school for the remainder of the
school year.
That the parent/guardian agrees to provide transportation to and from that school on a daily and
timely basis.
That the request is not based on disciplinary problems at the home school, and that the out-ofarea student maintains a satisfactory academic, attendance, and discipline record at the out-ofarea school of choice, or that the transfer request is not based on reasons deemed inappropriate
by the superintendent.
That the request is submitted to the superintendent prior to the spring deadline, as noted on the
out-of-area form.
Nonresident students from other counties or states with acceptable academic and disciplinary records
may attend Oconee schools only if qualified by one of the following options:
Option A
Payment of Tuition – Tuition will be an amount established yearly by the business office.
Payment of one-half the yearly fee will be made at the beginning of each semester. This
option requires the approval of the school district where the student resides and the
approval of the School District of Oconee County. Transportation to and from school must
be provided by the parent/guardian.
Option B
Ownership of Property – The student must provide the superintendent a properly recorded
deed showing property in the student’s name in Oconee County with an assessed value of
$300 (a real value of $5,000 at 6% or $7,500 at 4 %). Transportation to and from the
school must be provided by the parent.
Option C
Change of Legal Guardianship – The legal guardian with whom the student resides must
be a resident of Oconee County and the child must reside with the guardian on a
permanent basis. Legal guardianship means a guardian by judicial appointment or a
testamentary guardian, both of which require court action. Documentation must be
provided to the district.
Option D
The child resides with a foster parent, is emancipated or resides with an adult resident as
a result of:
1.
The death, serious illness of incarceration of a parent or legal guardian.
2.
The relinquishment by a parent or legal guardian of the complete control of the
child.
3.
Abuse or neglect of the child by the parent/guardian.
4.
Inability of parent/guardian to care for the child due to a physical or mental
condition.
5.
The child or child’s parents are homeless.
For Option D, see Exhibit JBC-E (1) which follows.
As required by law, the adult who resides in the district must sign an affidavit in which
he/she accepts responsibility for making educational decisions concerning the child.
Option E
The district will admit children of Oconee County School District employees who reside
out of the district, provided they obtain a release from the district in which they reside.
The district reserves the right to make the school assignment. Payment of tuition will not
be required.
The district will not deny admission to any student on the basis of sex, race, religion, color, creed,
national origin, or disability.
FIRST TIME ENROLLMENT OF STUDENTS
When a student seeks to enroll in the district for the first time, the Board of Trustees or a person or
persons designated by the board, may consider whether the student meets the district’s standards of
conduct and behavior. Pursuant to state law, the person(s) considering the matter will consider nonschool records as well as the student’s disciplinary records in any school in which the student was
previously enrolled. The Board or its designee will consider these records as they relate to the
adjudication of delinquency in any jurisdiction for violent crimes, unlawful use or possession of weapons
or unlawful sale of drugs.
If the person(s) considering the matter does not allow the student to enroll based on his/her record, the
student’s parent or legal guardian will be notified. The student will have a right to a hearing on the
matter, as well as other procedural rights.
The bar to enrollment applies for a maximum of one year. After the bar is lifted, the student may
reapply for enrollment.
STUDENT REQUEST FOR TRANSFER OUT OF THE DISTRICT
The board may grant requests for students to transfer out of the district. The parent or guardian must
submit the request in writing to the superintendent, who will make the recommendation to the board. The
district will assume no responsibility for tuition to the receiving district.
Adopted 4-21-98
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Constitutional and Statutory Provisions:
A.
S. C. Code, 1976, as amended:
1. Section 44-29-180 – Student must show immunization prior to admission.
2. Section 59-63-390 – Ages of Attendance.
3. Section 59-63-480 and 490 – Attendance of nonresident students.
4. Section 59-19-90 (10) – Power of board to transfer and assign pupils.
B.
Federal Court Decisions:
1. Millikin v. Bradley, 418, U. S. 717.
2. Tasby v. Estes, 412 F. supp. 1185, aff’d 572 F 2d 1010.
3. Evans v. Buchanan, 393F. Supp. 428.
4. Armor v. Nix, No., 79-6108 (N.D. Ga. May 12, 1976).
C.
State Board of Education Regulations:
1. R-43-272 – School Admission.
D.
State Board of Health and Environmental Control Regulations:
1. R-61-8 – Immunization of Students.