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Enroll in Myrtle Beach
STEM Academy

Middle School Application 6th - 8th Grade for 2026/2027 School Years.

High School Application 9th - 10th Grade for 2026/2027 School Years.

Apply Now

Timeline for Applying to the Myrtle Beach STEM Charter School

Application Window

Open Now Through

January 1st, 2026

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​​Lottery Drawn

Early January 2026.

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​Acceptance Deadline

March 1st.

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Waitlist

Continues to accept after lottery deadline and seats may open throughout the year.

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Eligibility & Enrollment Basics

Open to all SC public-school‑eligible students—SC charter schools cannot charge tuition and are tuition‑free public schools. Enrollment for Charter school application is open to any child eligible for public school in SC, unless it's a single-gender school under its charter.

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Residency rules: Many schools require that students live in the sponsoring district or county (e.g. Charleston County for CCSMS), typically verified by a specific date (e.g. July 1) Out‑of‑district enrollment is limited; generally no more than 20% of total enrollment without district approval.

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Tuition-free STEM admissions.

Lottery System & Preferences

If more students apply than there are available seats, admission is determined via random lottery.

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Guaranteed Preferences (no lottery):

According to 2025 law (Senate Bill 3862, effective May 12, 2025), charter schools must exclude certain groups from the lottery and admit them directly, up to defined limits.

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  • Returning students from the previous year.

(automatic continuation)

  • Siblings of current or recent students.

(within 6 years attendance)

  • Children of school employees or board members, if number doesn't exceed 20% of total enrollment.

  • Dependents of active-duty military personnel, capped at 10% of total enrollment.

  • For Alternative Education Campus charters serving educationally disadvantaged students, mission-aligned weighted preferences may be allowed under ESSA guidelines.

  • If a student is eligible under multiple categories, the school chooses which one applies. If a quota is already filled, the student may enter the lottery as usual.

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