BETHEL HILL CHARTER SCHOOL

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who can attend BHCS?

Any child that is a legal resident of the state of N. C. and is eligible to enroll in N.C. Public School. 

Is there a cost to go to BHCS?

No.  We are a North Carolina Public School.

When can I enroll my child for kindergarten?

During the enrollment period (January & February) of the year that your child will begin school.  We do not take applications for students until the enrollment period when they are 4 and will be 5 on or before October 16^th of that year.

Who is a priority student?

A priority student is any student who:  (1) lives in what was considered the Bethel Hill district when the school was a Person Co. School, (2) is a child of a faculty, staff, or board of directors member, (3) has a sibling that is currently enrolled at BHCS and will be in the following year.

 How is the lottery done?

If there are more student applications than spots available we will hold a lottery.  This lottery is open to anyone who would like to attend.  Any student who has completed an application by the application deadline will be entered into the lottery.  Members of our board of directors will draw student names to fill the spots we have available.  After all spots are filled the remainder of the names will be drawn and placed onto a waiting list in the order in which they are drawn. 

If my child is placed on a waiting list how long will their name remain on the waiting list?

Your child’s name will be placed on the waiting list until a spot becomes available or you ask for it to be removed.   There is no way to determine how long it will take for a space to become available.  Spaces become available when a student leaves our school, so there is no way to predict this. 

What if one of my children gets accepted and there is no space available for my other child?

Your other child will be placed at the top of the waiting list for that grade as a sibling priority when a space becomes available that student will be enrolled.  If you opt not to enroll a child because there is not space for all of your children, then that child will be placed at the bottom of the waiting list. 

Does BHCS follow the same calendar as Person County Schools?

We try our best to keep it as close to their calendar as possible.  However, because we do our report card periods on a six week schedule there are a couple of days that will differ throughout the year.

Does BHCS have a preschool program?

No.  Our school covers a grade span of kindergarten through 6^th grade.

Is transportation provided by BHCS?

Because we have to serve the entire county we are not able to go door to door.  We run the major highways and establish pick up points.  Parents help the school a great deal when they transport their own children.  Parents may also arrange car pooling when possible.

Does BHCS have a before and after school program?

Yes.  We operate a before school program from 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. & an after school program from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.  The after school program provides a wide range of activities for students.  They receive homework assistance, tutoring, along with instruction in music, art & computer.

Are the students required to wear uniforms?

No.  It is the mission of Bethel Hill Charter School to instill respect for self, respect for others, and high moral values.  A person’s dress is a way of demonstrating that respect for self & others.  It is not the intent of Bethel Hill Charter School to stifle or deny appropriate expression through one’s individual dress.  However, we do expect children to dress appropriately for school.  When questions concerning dress arise the principal determines the appropriateness of dress.  Parents may appeal the principal’s decision to the Board of Directors. 

Does BHCS follow the same curriculum as the other Person County Schools?

Yes & No.  We teach the North Carolina Standard Course of Study just as all other public schools in N.C.  In addition to that curriculum we teach the Core Knowledge curriculum.  We also use Saxon Math and Saxon Phonics programs to teach reading & math. 

 Who runs BHCS? 

Our school is governed by our own Board of Directors which are elected by our parents, faculty & staff.  We have nine members serving three year staggered terms.

 How is this school funded?

We receive state, local and federal funds to operate the school.  However, we do not receive capital or lottery money for facility construction.  Facility construction and improvements are funded through private donations, fundraisers, grants and loans. 

 Is my involvement with the school required?

Yes.  As a part of the contractual agreement parents must volunteer a minimum of one hour per month.  Generally a student’s school performance improves when their parent becomes actively involved at school.

Does BHCS have a free & reduced lunch program? 

Yes.  In 2003-2004 we opened our own cafeteria.  We used a combination of grant funding, donations and local school money to purchase the necessary equipment to operate a cafeteria.  We also began participating in the Federal School Lunch Program.  All parents will be given an application for free and reduced meals.  After the application has been processed parents will be notified of their lunch payment status.