PREPARE FOR ENROLLMENT
We're glad you have decided to enroll in South Carolina Connections Academy! Before you get started, take a look below at the enrollment process.
Enrollment Information
- First semester enrollment is open and capacity is limited to 6,375 students.
- Once the capacity is met, students who complete all enrollment tasks will be placed on a waiting list and released to enroll on a first come, first served basis.
Please do not withdraw your student from their current school until you have completed Final Confirmation.
Video: The Connections Academy Enrollment Process
Enrollment Process
Connections Academy Enrollment Process
Learn about the steps of the Connections Academy enrollment process.
24-25
Enrollment Information for the 2024-25 School Year
- Per state law, the school has an enrollment limit.
- If the number of applications accepted exceeds the capacity limit, we will use a lottery-style drawing to select students for enrollment on 3/21/2024.
- To be eligible for the lottery, please start registration and follow the steps to create an application.
- If the school does not exceed its enrollment limit, no lottery is required. You will then be able to continue enrolling your student.
STEP 1
Understand Your Commitment
Want to learn more about South Carolina Connections Academy? Attend an event!
STEP 2
Check Eligibility
You must meet specific state and program requirements to attend South Carolina Connections Academy. Student eligibility requirements in South Carolina are determined by South Carolina law and by the Charter Institute at Erskine, which is the authorizing body for South Carolina Connections Academy. Before enrolling, review the following virtual school enrollment requirements carefully to determine whether your student(s) is eligible to participate in grades K–12. Once your enrollment is confirmed, please immediately withdraw your student from their previous publicly-funded school. Students cannot be simultaneously enrolled in two public schools.
STEP 3
Prepare Documents
Please have the following documents available when you are ready to begin the enrollment process.
Child's Proof of Age
Child's Proof of Age
Child's Proof of Age
A copy of one of the following documents must be provided for every student to verify age eligibility. To avoid unnecessary delays, provide a copy of this document along with your enrollment documents.
- Official birth certificate
- Certificate of live birth
- Passport
- Hospital certificate
- Military ID
- School records from previous school
- Government Document with birth date
- Medical Records
- Student's Driver's License
To avoid unnecessary delays, provide a copy of one of these official documents along with your enrollment documents. If you do not have either of these documents, please contact the Enrollment Team at 800-382-6010 to discuss acceptable alternatives.
Not Sure Where to Get That?
- If you need a copy of your child's birth certificate, you can order it online through the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Please visit the Vital Records Services webpage for more information.
- If your child was born in another state, please visit the CDC’s Where to Write for Vital Records webpage for more information. When using this tool, please remember to follow the CDC's Application Guidelines.
- Have questions about your U.S. passport? Visit the U.S. Department of State FAQs page.
As a reminder, the age eligibility is as follows:
- Kindergarten: Any student enrolling in kindergarten must be five (5) years old on or before September 1 in the school year for which you are enrolling.
- First grade: Any student enrolling in first grade must be six (6) years old on or before September 1 in the school year for which you are enrolling.
- Maximum Age: Any student who turns twenty-one (21) years old on or before September 1 will not be eligible to enroll in South Carolina Connections Academy.
Proof of Residence
Proof of Residence
Proof of Residence
A copy of one of the following documents must be provided to verify your legal residence. If you do not have any of these documents, please contact the enrollment team to discuss acceptable alternatives:
Not Sure What is Accepted as Proof?
- Utility bill Acceptable Documents Include: water, electric, sewage, cable, home or cell phone, internet, or gas bill that is dated within the last 90 days and includes your name.
- Mortgage statement from the last 90 days or annual lease agreement
- South Carolina driver's license
- Property tax statement
- Letter from a government agency dated within the last 90 days
- Letter from your landlord that is signed and dated
- Bank statement dated within the last 90 days
Child’s Proof of Immunization
Child’s Proof of Immunization
Child’s Proof of Immunization
All South Carolina Connections Academy students must provide evidence of their immunizations or medical exemption with a copy of the South Carolina Certificate of Immunization (DHEC Form 4024) or a Religious Exemption (DHEC Form 1126) to enroll. The DHEC 1148 (if dated before 1/1/14) and the DHEC 2740 (if dated before 7/1/22) will still be accepted. The DHEC Form 4024, 1148 or 2740 must be completed and signed by a health care provider.
Contact numbers for county public health departments can be found on the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control website.
Not Sure What Immunizations Are Required?
For a complete list of immunization requirements, please review the South Carolina Required Standards of Immunization
Where Can I Get Immunizations for My Student?
Immunizations can be obtained from doctor’s offices, clinics, or hospitals. Pediatricians and family doctors or their nurses or medical assistants can give your student the shots they need to meet the requirements for school enrollment. In addition, some large chain pharmacies offer immunizations for older children and adults.
What if I Need Assistance Paying for Vaccines?
If you need assistance paying for shots/vaccinations, you may be able to get free or reduced immunizations through this program:
- Vaccines for Children (VFC) program is a federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because of inability to pay. Children who are eligible for VFC vaccines are entitled to receive pediatric vaccines that are recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
Immunization Exemptions
- Religious Exemption: A religious exemption may be granted to any student whose parents, parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis signs and has notarized the appropriate section (Statement of Religious Objection) of the South Carolina Certificate of Religious Exemption (DHEC 1126). The South Carolina Certificate of Religious Exemption (DHEC 1126) may only be obtained at a county public health department. Forms cannot be e-mailed or mailed.
The updated South Carolina Certificate of Religious Exemption form DHEC 1126 must be obtained from your local health department. Please note that the updated religious exemptions forms will include DHEC's most recent logo which can be viewed on the scdhec.gov website. The updated form must be completed and notarized once it has been obtained from your local health department. If you have any questions, please contact the Enrollment Team at 1-800-382-6010.
- Medical Exemption: South Carolina state law recognizes exemptions to immunization for medical contraindications as determined by a licensed healthcare provider. Only an individual licensed to practice medicine, surgery, or osteopathy or his/her representative may issue a certificate of medical exemption to immunization. Only the South Carolina Certificate of Immunization (DHEC 4024) meets both the certification and the medical exemption regulations (SC Regulation 61-8).
Prior Academic Records
Child’s Proof of Immunization
Prior Academic Records
Students across South Carolina in grades K-11 are eligible to enroll in South Carolina Connections Academy. Those who have previously attended public school, private school, or homeschool will be asked to submit academic records for placement.
- Report Card
For students applying for grades K–9: Please submit a copy of the report card from the most recent school year.
The following items should be included on the report card:
- Student Name
- Grade Level
- School Year (example: 2023–24)
- School Name
- Grading Scale (example: 90–100%=A)
- Unofficial Transcript
For students applying for grades 10–11: Submit an unofficial transcript that includes the complete end-of-year grades from the prior school year and any academic documentation (such as a progress report/interim report, class schedule, or marking period/semester report card) issued for the current school year. Additional documentation may be requested for placement.
The following items should be included on the unofficial transcript:
- Student Name
- Grade Level
- School Year (example: 2023–24)
- School Name
- Grading Scale (example: 90–100%=A)
- Credits Earned
Not Sure How to Get Your Child’s Report Card or Transcript?
- Contact your student's previous school and request the document, providing them with the information outlined above, OR contact your school's district office with the request.
If after attempting these steps you still cannot obtain your student's report card or transcript, please contact the academic placement services team at 800-382-6010 to discuss acceptable alternatives.
Have Your Child(ren) Been Formerly Homeschooled?
- Prior Academic History Form
For homeschooled students in grades K–11: Complete the Prior Academic History Form indicating what courses were completed through a homeschool curriculum. This form will be available to you in the Enrollment Portal.
Attendance Report
Attendance Report
Attendance Report
If your student previously attended a public or private school, you will need to submit documentation that shows information about your student’s excused and unexcused absences for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school year. You may be able to print an attendance report showing excused and unexcused absences using your PowerSchool login, or you may contact the current school to request an attendance report.
Other Documents for Special Circumstances
Proof of Residence
Other Documents for Special Circumstances
You may need to provide additional documentation if any of the following circumstances apply:
- Custody order: If your legal guardianship is determined by a court order, please submit a copy of the order.
- Gifted documentation: If you are requesting any Gifted and Talented programs, you will need to submit formal gifted documentation which may include your student’s South Carolina Screening/Referral/Assessment Student Profile or South Carolina Performance Task for the Identification of Gifted and Talented Students form. This document is required for Gifted and Talented course placement.
- Homeschool Association Membership Documentation: If your student was homeschooled for the 2023-2024 school year, you will need to submit a homeschool association membership letter, notice, or receipt with the dates of the membership, or documentation showing that the homeschool was approved by the resident school district.
- Notification of Expulsion: If your student is expelled, you will be asked to provide documentation showing the end date of the student’s most recent disciplinary action.
Enroll to
BE A PART OF OUR ONLINE PUBLIC SCHOOL
Join the Connections Academy community and help your child go further in school and in their life ahead.
Give Us a Call
If you have any concerns or questions about how to enroll, our enrollment team is here to help.
Please call us at 1-800-382-6010.
South Carolina Connections Academy admits students and conducts all educational programs, activities, and employment practices without discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, creed, sexual orientation, disability, or any other legally protected classification.
Enrollment Support Hours:
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. ET