Staff Writer

More than 500 students have enrolled in the new Jonesville-Lockhart Charter School.

Governing board vice chairman Mark Sanders said this week that in the first phase of enrollment (Dec. 8, 2007-Jan. 12, 2008), more than 500 enrollment forms were received. Sanders said this puts the school ahead of its schedule to fill the school's approved capacity of 783.

“The school's numbers are increasing daily,” he said. “The remaining seats will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis as regular enrollment continues.

“No lottery will be required and all students currently enrolled are guaranteed seats,” he said. “Interested parents and students are encouraged to enroll while seating is available to become part of this new vision in education.”

Sanders said enrollment will continue until the beginning of school if needed, though he feels the school will reach capacity before then. He said students from Union, Spartanburg, Cherokee and Chester counties have enrolled and some are expected from York County. Within Union County, the bulk of the students are from Jonesville and Lockhart, but others from all of the county's other attendance areas have also enrolled.

Plans are for the school to open in July on a 60-acre site at the intersection of S.C. 9 and Kelly Road in the Kelly-Kelton area.

A public charter school is a public school financed through the S.C. Charter School District. It is tuition-free and governed by a board elected by the parents and staff.

Enrollment forms

Parents can download enrollment forms at www.jlsos.org. Additional forms are available at the Lockhart Cafe, M&R Grocery and the Ashe Insurance Agency in Lockhart. In Jonesville, the forms are available at Gene's One Stop, Studio 201 Hair Salon, and the home of Dean Alexander at 220 Park Drive. In Union, the forms are available at the Carnegie Library.

Enrollment forms are also available in York, Chester and Cherokee counties, Sanders said. The forms must be mailed to the address on the forms.

Money

Volunteers raised more than $1,200 for the school at a combination hot dog sale, bake sale and yard sale last Saturday. All proceeds will be used for the school's startup. Funds raised beyond those needs will go to the school's booster club to support extracurricular activities.

Other fund-raisers include two chicken stews today at the former National Guard armory in Jonesville and the Dixie Youth field in Lockhart.

Mascot and colors

The “Patriot” will be the school's mascot and the school's colors will be maroon, navy and white.

The mascot and colors were chosen by the students and their parents by ballot on the enrollment forms during phase one of enrollment.

“The choice of the students and parents for our new mascot reflects our people's deep respect for the sacrifices made in our history and how we honor those who serve our country today," board chairman Shirley Cromer said.

Enrolled students, their parents and community supporters are invited to submit logo designs to be considered for the school and its athletics. The school also needs an alma mater. Students and their parents will be asked to give their opinion on both.

"This public school of choice is coming together with the announcement of our site and our increasing enrollment figures, our vision of a small community based school is becoming a reality,” Mrs. Cromer said. “More and more people are stepping up to be a part of this bright future."