Lottery Information

How Our Rising Freshman

Lottery & Enrollment Process Works

GTCHS is a tuition-free public charter school open to all South Carolina residents. We are proud to welcome a diverse community of learners through a fair and transparent admissions process. Each year, we receive more applications than available openings. Under South Carolina charter law, all rising freshman admissions are determined through a lottery process. Admission for rising 10th and 11th-grade students is based on available seats and waitlist position.

1. Information Meeting & School Tour

Prospective families are invited to attend an Admissions Information Meeting held in the fall. This event provides an overview of the GTCHS model, highlighting what makes our community unique and what dual enrollment looks like at the high school level. School tours are available at this event to help families experience our campus firsthand.

2. Open Enrollment Application Period

During the Open Enrollment window each fall, families submit an online application for the upcoming academic year. Current South Carolina residency is required to apply. Rising 9th graders apply during this window; upperclassmen may also submit waitlist applications.

3. Lottery Drawing

After the Open Enrollment period closes, a lottery drawing overseen by a third party determines admissions and placement on the waitlist. The lottery process is governed by state guidelines and overseen to ensure fairness and transparency. Families are notified of acceptance or waitlist status via email.

4. Acceptance & Enrollment

Accepted families confirm their intent to enroll by submitting required forms and attending a required Intake Meeting in the spring. At this meeting, students and families learn about GTCHS expectations, programs, and community culture to ensure a strong start to the school year.

Additional

The lottery process applies only to rising 9th-grade applicants. Rising 10th and 11th-grade students are offered seats in the spring based on availability and their waitlist position.
Enrollment priority is given to siblings of currently enrolled students and siblings of GTCHS graduates within the past six years.
Children of current GTCHS employees are also granted enrollment priority.
All applicants must be South Carolina residents and performing at or above grade level at the time of application.

Join Our Next Class of Warriors

We will start accepting waitlist applications for rising 10th and 11th grade students for the next school year starting November 1.