Q. What is a public charter school?

According to SC Law: "A charter school means a public, nonreligious, non homebased, nonprofit corporation forming a school that operates within a public school district or the SC Public Charter School District, but is accountable to the school board of trustees of that district which grants its charter."

Q. Why did the state write the public charter school law?

According to SC Law: "In authorizing charter schools, it is the intent of the General Assembly to create a legitimate avenue for parents, teachers, and community members to take responsible risks and create new, innovative, and more flexible ways of educating all children within the public school system. The General Assembly seeks to create an atmosphere in South Carolina's public school systems where research and development in producing different learning opportunities are actively pursued and where classroom teachers are given the flexibility to innovate and the responsibility to be accountable. As such, the provisions of this chapter should be interpreted liberally to support the findings and goals of this chapter and to advance a renewed commitment by the State of South Carolina to the mission, goals, and diversity of public education."

Q. Are public charter schools tuitions free?

According to SC Law: "A charter school may not charge tuition or other charges pursuant to Section 59-19 90(8) except as may be allowed by the sponsor and is comparable to the charges of the local school district in which the charter school is located."  The state and federal governments will pay for the education.

Q. What is the projected opening date?

Our goal is to have the school facility opened August 2010.

Q. Why did YPA change its opening date?

York Preparatory Academy will be opening in August 2010 rather than 2009 as originally planned. Several factors led to this change. The YPA Planning Committee submitted its 400+ page charter application to the South Carolina Charter School Board for review by the deadline. However, due to a miscommunication, only one copy was sent. The charter application guidelines state that 12 copies are required. While making arrangements to hand deliver the additional copies, the YPA Planning Committee learned that 11 other charter school applications had been submitted ahead of YPA’s submission. The State had only anticipated 5 to 6 charter applications and was facing a major backlog. Members of the YPA Planning Committee traveled to Columbia and met the individuals responsible for completing the preliminary reviews and scheduling the hearings before the South Carolina Charter School Board. These men and women have been very helpful. They have offered support and guidance throughout the process. Under these circumstances, however, there was little they could do. The YPA Planning Committee is still seeking for a hearing and approval in early 2009, but for an August 2010 school opening. It was determined by the committee that attempting to open a school only six to eight months after gaining approval was too tight of a timeline. YPA Planning Committee members have attended three charter application hearings by the South Carolina Charter School Board. The committee is confident that its application is well prepared and is working with the State to ensure we compile with all requirements.

Q. Where will the school be located?

The school is located at 505 University Dr. in Rock Hill.

Q. What grades will YPA serve?

Initially, YPA will serve K-8. When the high school phase is added, YPA will partner with colleges to offer college credit to our students so high school graduates can begin college in an advantageous position.

Q. How many children will YPA serve?

Our goal is to have an 690 capacity school serving grades K-8, and eventually a 1,534 capacity school serving K-12. The school has no attendance boundaries, and all children from York and other South Carolina counties are welcome to attend.

Q. Who oversees the charter school?

The parents of enrolled students and employed teachers elect their own governing body on a yearly basis. York Preparatory Academy will be sponsored by the South Carolina Public Charter School District and must meet state education standards. The local district school boards would have no oversight or governance of York Preparatory Academy.

Q. Will the public charter school be diverse?

YPA is open to every SC resident who has a desire to be served within the educational model presented to the state charter school district. Efforts to reach out to all areas of the York County general area have been and will continue to be a top priority for the ongoing awareness of the school enrollment process.

Q. How will the charter school be funded?

York Preparatory Academy is a public school and is funded by tax dollars. Because YPA is chartered under the statewide South Carolina Charter School District, it receives funding from the state but does not receive local tax dollars. All public schools receive a portion of their funding from the state and the remainder from local taxes.

Q. Will the recession impact funding for the charter school?

Because YPA is a start-up, it can tightly manage administrative and other costs to ensure the majority of its available funds are channeled into the classroom. For example, the school's Managing Director and Academic Director are the only two educators in the school that don't have classroom or daily teaching responsibilities. By comparison, studies show that as much as 40 percent of education dollars never make it into the classroom and are spent on administration and other overhead.

YPA and its parents will continue to work with their elected representatives in a positive, constructive manner to ensure public charter schools receive sustainable funding. Because YPA is chartered under the state-wide public charter school district, it does not receive any local tax dollars nor does it benefit from local bond issues. As a result, it receives substantially less money per pupil that local school districts (see text from 2009-2010 General Appropriations Bill below). YPA and its parents are urging legislators to allow state tax dollars, not local taxes, to follow the student. Currently, charter schools in the state-wide charter school district do not receive all state tax dollars associated with educating children. Allowing the state (not local) money to follow the student would provide for sustainable funding which would be approximately half of what local school districts (excluding revenues from local bonds) receive per child.

South Carolina 2009 - 2010 General Appropriations - Appropriation Act, Part 1B section 1 H63-DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Page 287

Q. Is it a religious school?

YPA is a publicly funded institution. YPA will maintain the separation between church and state in order to comply with state and federal guidelines intended to provide a full and comprehensive educational package for all being served with no direct curriculum to be promoted nor based on any religious content.

Q. Why doesn’t the local school district have information about YPA?

YPA functions independently of the local school district. York Preparatory Academy is a public school, but it is not governed by the local school districts or school boards. Hence, many in the public schools and district offices may not be familiar with YPA. The school is being started by concerned parents who are looking for an alternative other than private schools or home schooling. YPA will be governed by an elected board that includes parents of students as well as other community members. The board then answers to the South Carolina Charter School Board, which oversees all charter schools in the state. SC State Law states: "A charter school means a public, nonreligious, non homebased, nonprofit corporation forming a school that operates within a public school district or the SC Public Charter School District, but is accountable to the school board of trustees of that district which grants its charter."

Q. How is it determined who goes to the school?

Enrollment is based on a public lottery. Priority enrollment of up to 20% of the slots are for children of committee parents, siblings and children of staff members, and the remaining 80% will be determined through the lottery.

Q. If I decide not to join a committee and I rely on the lottery process, tell me more about that process.

Enrollment will begin in October and run through January 31st. During that time parents will need to submit applications of enrollment, one for each child they wish to enroll in the school. In February, the lottery will be held to fill the slots in the school and establish a waiting list.

Q. When will I know a definite answer about my child or children being enrolled in York Preparatory Academy?

YPA will mail letters no later than March 15th to notify parents of their children’s status.

Q. Will I have to enter a lottery every year?

No.  Once you are accepted to the school through the lottery, you are guaranteed a spot in each subsequent grade.

Q. If one of my children gets in through the lottery does that guarantee a spot for all of my children?

If a child gets into the school through the lottery, all of their siblings are given priority enrollment status.

Q. If one of my children gets in this year, can their siblings (in grades other than kindergarten) have preference to avoid the lottery in future years?

Siblings of students enrolled at YPA will be granted priority enrollment status within the lottery.

Q. Is there a waiting list and how does it work? Will children be admitted mid-year or will they have to wait until the following year?

Each student that applies to YPA will be assigned a seat number within his or her grade through the lottery or subsequently on a first-come-first-serve basis. If the number of applicants for any grade exceeds the available seats within that grade, a waiting list will be created. If a seat becomes available during the school year, the open seat will be offered to the next student on the waiting list. At the end of the school year the waiting list will be terminated. Students from that list may reapply to YPA the following school year.

Q. Can I enroll my child after the Enrollment Application Deadline of January 31, 2010?

No application received after 11:59 pm on January 31, 2010, will be placed in the 2010 lottery. All students applying to YPA after January 31 will be eligible to enroll on a first come first serve basis. To ensure an orderly process, the Executive Secretary to the YPA Board of Directors will receive all applications after January 31. Upon receipt of each application, the receipt date and time will be clearly labeled on each application. For applications received by email, the receipt date and time will be the date and time set forth in the email.  For applications received by mail, the date will be the postmark date and the time will be 11:59 pm. If a conflict arises, the order in which the applications are opened will determine the time the application was received. Each applicant will then be assigned a seat number in the appropriate grade corresponding to the order in which the application was received. No student applying after January 31 will be eligible for Priority Enrollment Status.

Q. YPA says "smaller class size" but what is the proposed number of children in each classroom? 

There will be 3 teachers in each grade level K-5, with the exception being Kindergarten, which will have 3 teachers plus 3 parapros. The ratio will vary based upon actual numbers served in Special Education and G/T.

Q. Will YPA have a band right away?

There will be “Band” offered immediately; however, the band will grow dependent upon both numbers from the state, and student and local interest.

Q. What will be the age requirement be for kindergarteners?

The age to start Kindergarten is 5 Years old on or before September 1 according to the state of SC.

Q. What kind of extracurricular activities will be offered?

There will be two methods for extracurricular activities.

One will be the use of a 2 hour reserved block of time every Monday during a weekly scheduled early release time. As parent and local community member interest toward participating in an after school enrichment program is surveyed, opportunities for students will be provided every Monday for students, by choice, to be involved in a large range of after school activities. As this is an early release day, instruction will not be compromised and will be held in accordance to the State requirements for seat and instructional time in each subject area. All activities will be made available on a quarter to quarter basis to all students, allowing parents and students the opportunity to either end the day early or at the regularly scheduled time of departure.

Second, before and after school programs will be offered based on interest, available resources, and parental and community involvement.

Q. Will the school have a library? Will the library be filled with books the first year or will we need to build on that for a few years before it is full?

There will be a Media Center at YPA. It will act to serve both the lower and upper grades of the school. YPA anticipates having books both donated as well as purchased. As with any start up school, books of all varieties will be sought, and time spent in securing such literature will be never-ending. In addition, the Media Centers will be equipped with books and computers to serve as research extensions from the classroom. Further, typical elementary uses will be story time, media usage and so on for younger learners.

Q. Do the students still have to take PASS? 

There is a requirement by both the state and the Charter to participate in all state level testing. This is due to several reasons: (a) funding is tied to the state of SC, (b) a needs assessment of student progress to monitor growth against the SC standards, and (c) the Charter’s success is based on goals and objectives that are measured against local, state and nationally credible testing instruments.

Q. What type of supplies will my child or children need?  When will I get a list?

There will be several items, not uncommon to other schools that all students will need to have in order to be enabled to fully function at YPA. A list will be devised and sent to students in the late spring or early summer as staff and faculty members have an opportunity to collaborate on identified needs.

Q. What kind of teaching styles/methods will be used? Will it be school-wide or based on individual teacher preference?

There will be weekly professional development and daily accountability for teachers to model after an inquiry-based and project-based teaching methodology. However, all teaching will also be based upon a common curriculum designed in line with standards extended beyond the state’s minimal requirements of instruction and content. Even though these professional development opportunities will be offered to each teacher, the license to teach on both an independent and case-by-case basis as best promotes successful learning within the classroom will be the privilege of each teaching professional. This ideology of teaching to individual needs will be driven by continuous training in differentiated learning and other such best practices.

Q. If a student already has or needs a shadow for day-to-day activities will that assistant be provided by the school?

There will be services provided for students with current and future IEPs. It is important for parents of prospective students with special needs to understand that YPA’s overall funding allotment is significantly less than other local schools. YPA will have a collaborative special education model in place, as well as the required self-contained and GT programs as required by both federal and state mandates. All teachers will be trained in the most effective methods for working within the RTI parameters set by the federal DOE as well as how to frame strategies toward differentiated learning styles.

Q. What time will the school open and end for the day?

There will be a determined time for school opening and closing hours to be made official in the near future; however, we will have start and end times to be the same throughout all grades. As of now, YPA predicts the school day start time to be 8:15 am to dismiss at 3:15 pm. Tuesday through Friday. On Monday, YPA will have a shortened day for staff development and student enrichment opportunities, tentatively scheduled to start at 8:15am and dismiss at 1:15pm with the option to remain at the school in extracurricular activities until the standard release time of 3:15 pm.

Q. What educational opportunities will be available for gifted and talented children?

There will be the same opportunities provided to GT students as required by federal and state mandates. All students who have been identified as qualifying for GT services will receive these services according to the State’s mandates in grades 3-8 to be served in the content areas of Mathematics and Language Arts.

Every grade level will have an “Accelerated” class for students who do not “Qualify” GT, yet are in need of a more extensive program to include all core subject areas.

Q. Will students be tested before the start of the new school year to determine appropriate placement in classes?  When and by what means will that take place?

There will be placement tests for each level. As YPA will focus on the individual student, appropriate testing and screening methods will be utilized. As this is a start up school, the physical location will be within the student’s assigned homeroom and will occur during the first week of school.

Q. What are the opening and closing dates for school next fall?

There will be a master school calendar for YPA that will start and end at similar dates as compared to surrounding area schools.

Q. Will the teachers have aides?

Kindergarten classes will have aides and other grades will utilize shared resource teachers. We will also utilize parent volunteers to assist in classrooms from time to time.

Q. Will YPA have early drop-off/afterschool programs?

These programs will be developed as deemed necessary by our student population. We will also be coordinating with daycare providers in the area.

Q. Will there be homework?

Homework will be determined by the classroom teacher.

Q.  Please explain the multi-age grouping learning system. How will the children be tested (for standardized testing purposes) if they are on multiple levels?

Students in grades K-3 will be assessed and grouped during the first week of school this year. These placements will be made in the subject areas of math and language arts only. (Students will spend the remainder of their day with "birthday peers.") After the first MAP, each child's progress will be assessed again to determine any needs for change. Parents will, of course, be involved in this process each time. We will be looking not only at the child's academic achievement and progress, but also his social and emotional development. In the event that a change is needed before the first formal assessment, the teachers, parents and administrators will work together to determine the best placement.

Per state law, the child will be taking year-end mandated tests at his current homeroom level. Other assessments used by YPA for monitoring achievement will be at the level that the teachers and administrators believe to be most useful in assessing and placing the individual child.

Q. Will there be school athletics? If yes, what will they be?

Yes, the school will have athletic teams. York Prepatory Academy believes athletic programs provide opportunities for students to develop physical fitness, friendships and self-discipline. Organized sports help students learn teamwork and are an important part of a well-rounded educational experience. 

YPA plans to conduct a survey, once enrollment is finalized, to gather information regarding student interest in athletics. This information will be used to organize intra-murals and possible exhibition games with local private schools for the opening year of YPA. At present we are hoping to begin with teams in Cross Country, Track, Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer, Baseball and Softball. The success of forming these teams will be dependant upon student interest.

Q. Is there a school mascot?

The school mascot and school colors will be chosen by the students once the lottery has taken place and the school roster is established. Student input will be expected and welcomed in this process. Voting for the mascot will be after each grade level orientation with the Board of Directors announcing the mascot at a later date.

Q. In what circuit will the sports teams be competing?

Athletic team participation will be phased-in over a five-year period that may include soccer, baseball, volleyball, golf, tennis, basketball, archery, football, etc. YPA intends to be a member of the South Carolina High School Athletic League and participate in Class 1A athletics.

Q. Is parental participation mandatory?  At info meetings last year, parents were told they would have to commit a certain number of volunteer hours (to help in classroom, mow grass or whatever they could do) if their child was accepted.

No, not mandatory, but highly encouraged and welcomed. YPA will be organized to receive parents to assist both before, during and after school hours of operation. The degree and time commitment of hours served will be under a teacher to parent master contract and will be offered on a quarterly basis. The exact details of this opportunity to serve will be provided to all parents after enrollment is complete.

Q. What are other ways that I can help York Preparatory Academy if I can’t volunteer on a committee?

YPA has an ongoing need for assistance by those willing to lend their skills and talents toward the cause of building up the school’s foundation in both early and later stages.

Q. Should I save my box tops during the summer for YPA?

Yes. As YPA will be centered on educational programs more so than fundraising activities, the box tops program is more than welcomed as well as encouraged.

Q. Will YPA have a PTO or PTA?

YPA will offer and encourage a high participatory Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). All interested parents will be provided volunteer forms to be considered. Annual elections will elect PTO officers.

Q. I would like to make a donation (monetary or material), what do I need to do?

York Preparatory Academy is in the process of securing its classification as a 501(c)(3). Until this is complete, YPA cannot provide documentation of charitable donations for tax purposes. If this is not needed by the donor, donations may be made payable to York Preparatory Academy and remitted to the Treasurer, Michael Smith.

Q. I know a business that would like to sponsor the school, who should they contact?

York Preparatory Academy strives to engage the community on many fronts, including local businesses. Businesses that wish to make donations or offer sponsorships should contact a member of the board. The board will work with businesses on a case-by-case basis.

Q. Are teachers going to be board certified?

YPA will employ teachers who are certified and/or Highly Qualified. At least 75% of all teachers will be certified. Each certified teacher must hold current certification by the State of South Carolina.

Q. When will the application process begin for teachers and staff?

We have already reviewed the cover letters and resumes that were sent in to us earlier. If you are interested in a position, please continue to send in a resume with a cover letter. The interview process will start on January 23rd and February 20th. Someone will contact you about an interview time. **Please make sure that you enroll your children for the coming school year by January 31st. The application is very brief and you can do this on our website. The state of South Carolina requires a 20% cap on all priority enrolled students.

Q. What types of non-teaching employment opportunities will be available? When will information be available on these?

Primarily two types: Clerical and Secretarial. After the first of the year.

Q. If I know a teacher who is interested in teaching at YPA, what do they need to do?

Send a resume with a cover letter detailing what position and grade they are interested in and the reason they would like to teach at YPA to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or mail it into YPA, 1015 Charlotte Avenue, Box 215, Rock Hill, SC 29732. I would encourage them to sign up on YPA’s website in order to receive updated information about the hiring process, etc.

Q. Where can I find information about the benefits, pay scale, and retirement programs offered by your school?

YPA, as a Charter School rather than a school district, works outside of the usual paradigm for teacher and staff salaries. There will not be a set salary scale. Salaries will be determined by the duties and qualifications of each staff member. Salary will be competitive with the other districts in our region. Salary will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis before an individual is offered a contract. There will be annual cost of living increases, as well as, recognition of merit rewards. Teachers’ benefits will include the regular state health plan and a 403(b) retirement plan.

Q. Will there be a need for lunch aides or cooks?

No, not at this time.

Q: Can a teacher retired from a SC school teach with YPA without jeopardizing their retirement benefits?

There should be no impact on retired teachers coming to work at YPA. They will continue to have their benefits taken from their retirement checks. There are currently teachers in the local school districts that are successful with this very scenario.

Q. Will the school have bus service?

York Preparatory Academy will provide bus service that utilizes group pick-up and drop-off points for clusters of families. For example, families that live in neighborhoods along Marshall Road would walk or drive their children to and from a common gathering point where the bus would come each day. Due to financial constraints, the bus service cannot be door to door.

Q. How long is the lunch period?

The current schedule is for a 30 minute lunch break.

Q. How will the school handle security?

The school will have appropriate onsite school security including limited access, limited security cameras, and a general security policy and procedures that will include all YPA administration and staff.

Q. Will Free/Reduce lunch be offered?

Due to financial constraints, the school will not have a cafeteria. Students are expected to bring their own bag lunch from home each day. If, for any reason, a student does not have a lunch, one will be provided through the school office.

Q. How handicap accessible will the school be?

We will meet the laws of the American Disabilities Act.

Q. What type of special education/needs programs will be offered?

This will be dependent on the needs of the students who are accepted through the lottery process.

Q. If my child requires medication during school hours, will there be a school nurse who can administer it?

YPA will have access to appropriate medical personnel to meet the legal health requirements for all students according to South Carolina law.

Q. Will YPA have a lunchroom or cafeteria?

Due to financial constraints, there will not be a lunchroom. Students will eat in their classrooms or possibly outside, weather and teacher permitting.

Q. Will there be a uniform?

The school will not be requiring uniforms, but does have a dress code policy in place that they will expect all students to adhere to.

Q. Will the school calendar be the same as RH schools?

YPA will similarly follow the current district calendar, operating on a standard school year calendar with the exception of late start days (YPA is not a year round school and is not going to integrate late-start days). YPA will utilize 180 days for student instruction and 10 days for professional development, teacher preparation, planning, etc.

The Managing Director and staff, will prepare the YPA school calendar and the proposed calendar will be presented to the Board for input in the spring of each year.

Q. Will the school day (times) be the same as RH schools?

YPA will closely follow the York County area school schedules. The start and end time for the school will be the same for all grades to offer convenience for parents of multiple children to return to the campus at one scheduled time to drop off and/or pick up all children at once as well as cut down on expenses relating to operating buses. The projected start and end time for all grades is 8:15am to 3:15pm.

Q. Once I know my children are accepted, do I need to notify their old school?

An information packet will be sent with your acceptance letter. In that packet will be documents for you to sign that give YPA permission to request your child’s records be sent from their old school to us. You will not have to do anything else once those forms have been sent in to YPA.

Q. Will there be an Orientation for the students enrolled in 2010-2011 school year?

There will be an orientation for students and parents once the school roster has been set following the lottery. This is tentatively planned for late spring and will cover items such as curriculum, school policies and overall educational model.

Q. Will there be an Open House once the school becomes operational?

An open house will be held for all families of YPA once the school is opened.

Q. Do you have to live in Rock Hill to attend YPA?

No, as a state sponsored charter school YPA will accept any student who is eligible to attend a South Carolina public school.