General Information
A charter school is an independently run public school granted greater flexibility in its operations, in return for greater accountability for performance. The school’s “charter” is a contract detailing the school’s mission, program, scholars served, performance goals, and methods of assessment. Every 10 years we must submit an application to our authorizer to have our charter renewed.
Charter schools are public schools of choice, meaning that families choose them for their children. They operate with freedom from some of the regulations imposed upon district schools. Our charter school is not part of the local school district, but instead, authorized by the SC Public Charter School District (SCPCSD). The SCPCSD holds us accountable for academic results and for upholding the promises made in our charter. Every year we must demonstrate performance in the areas of academic achievement, financial management, and organizational stability.
BA opened in July 2020 with kindergarten through 4th grade. 5th grade was added in 2021. We will add the next grade level each year (i.e., 6th in 2022, etc.). By 2028, we will be a full school with grades K – 12.
BA is a FREE public school. There is no application fee to apply and no tuition is required to attend. The only cost families will incur is uniforms – khaki pants (from a vendor of choice) and polo shirts that can be purchased from our online uniform vendor for $15 to $25 each. Uniform outerwear (sweatshirts/hoodies) is sold online and at school for $30 each.
This question comes up so often that we thought it was worthy of its own page. Click here to learn more!
BA does not provide busing. Families are responsible for getting their scholars to and from school each day.
Yes! Through our Extended Day program, scholars have the opportunity to dive into arts and crafts, pursue STEM projects, learn computer programming, practice a musical instrument, take a dance class, and more! Our Extended Day program takes place 4pm–6pm Monday through Friday.
We do not have organized sports now, but BA scholars are eligible to try out for teams and participate in extracurricular activities at the local public schools for which they are zoned.
Academic Model
Butler Academy is a Compassionate School. This means that the academic success of our scholars starts with their social and emotional well-being and intentional character development. We focus on creating a safe, predictable, joyful, and inclusive environment where all scholars have a sense of belonging and significance. Once that is established, our scholars will be well positioned for academic success.
Like traditional schools, BA still provides 180 days of instruction during the school year. However, our academic calendar begins in July and is organized into four 9-week quarters. This allows us to have a series of extended breaks throughout the year. Our summer break is approximately 6 weeks long, while our fall, winter, and spring breaks are 2 to 3 weeks long each.
The expectation is that a shorter summer break will allow scholars to retain more information and reduce the time spent re-learning each fall. Taking more frequent breaks also helps teachers and scholars avoid burnout. Breaks give teachers and administrators time to review data, refresh lesson plans based on that data, and prepare for the next unit of instruction.
Admissions/Lottery FAQ
No, it is not. At Butler Academy, we firmly believe that every child deserves an amazing education. Creating a public school that discriminates based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or any other characteristic would be in direct opposition to why our school was founded. It would also be illegal.
This misconception may stem from the fact that Butler Academy was created in response to the inequities that have existed in our county for decades. These inequities are easily quantified by the academic disparities that exist between black and white students in our county. For example, for various grade levels throughout the last decade, you’ll find that white students have read at 2 to 3 times the proficiency level of their black counterparts. However, black students are not the only students who have been underrepresented, underserved, or otherwise marginalized by existing school systems. Therefore, creating a segregated learning environment is not the solution!
To the contrary, it is our mission to create an enthusiastic culture of learning that works for everyone. We expect that our academic success stories will be a proud reflection of the diversity of our community. Our goal is to provide Darlington County with a learning environment in which household income, social status, and the presence (or absence) of adverse childhood experiences are no longer predictors of academic success. Discrimination in education is not acceptable. Not here. Not anywhere.
BA is open to all students. Anyone can attend BA as long as he or she is a South Carolina resident and there is space available in his or her grade level.
The enrollment window for the 2024-25 school year is now open and closes on March 1.
No. Current BA scholars are invited to return the following year and do not have to go through the initial enrollment proceedings. Current families wishing to re-enroll will have to complete a few forms to confirm intent to return and update contact information.
The application window for the upcoming school year will close at midnight on March 1. A lottery will be held via Google Meet at 5:30 p.m. on March 2 and lottery results will be available online immediately following the lottery.
No. You can login using the same email address and password that you used to sign up originally. Then enter your child(ren) into a lottery for the upcoming school year.
Yes, any new students that want to attend BA must submit an application online. When prompted, choose the following preference group: “Applicant is a sibling of a currently enrolled student at Butler Academy.”
No, but they are given a higher priority in the lottery, as long as you selected the appropriate preference group when you signed up his sibling. However because of our commitment to small class sizes, we will always have a limited number of seats available. Siblings of currently enrolled scholars have priority as long as seats are available.
On March 2 at 5:30 p.m. virtually via Google Meet. We will make the link available to all applicants on March 2 prior to the lottery.
No. Attending the lottery on is not mandatory or necessary.
Yes. Lottery results will be available online immediately following the lottery on the Lotterease website. Results will be displayed by Application ID and will also be emailed to each applicant directly.
It’s a unique number that your child is assigned when you submit their online application into the lottery. This number was sent to you by email from Butler_Academy@lotterease.com. If you don’t see the email, please check your spam/junk folder.
You will receive an email and a text if your child gets selected. You will receive an email only if your child is waitlisted.
You will have 3 days to confirm the seat. If you do not accept the seat by the deadline, Lotterease will automatically withdraw your child’s name from the lottery and notify the next scholar on the waitlist.
You have 7 days from the date you confirm the seat to submit your enrollment forms. Failure to do so will result in your removal from the lottery and your seat will be offered to the next scholar on the waitlist.
While we are not able to give individual tours, we are hosting two in-person tours/info-sessions in February.
Yes, two in-person info sessions/tours will be held at 9 am on Saturday, February 17, 2024 and Thursday, February 29, 2024 @ 5:30 pm. Bring your questions as there will be time for Q & A as well!
We are also hosting a Family Workshop Series on January 5, 2024 from 9 am to 12 noon. This conference-style event is designed to be an immersive experience where you will learn more about our school culture and rigorous academics and the resources available to support you and your scholars.
No. Both sessions will offer the same information. Please choose the date that works best for your schedule.
Yes. Waiting lists are created in each grade level when the lottery runs if there are more applications than there are spaces available. Once that list is created, any new applicants will be added to the waiting list on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Once a student accepts the seat, all qualified siblings are moved to the next available seat or spot on the waiting list in their grade level. A seat for the sibling applicant is not guaranteed, but he or she will be given higher priority in the waiting list.
