FAQ

What is the mission of the Grand Strand Charter Arts School?
The Grand Strand Charter Arts School aims to cultivate students into artistic leaders through a comprehensive curriculum that emphasizes both arts and academics.

What artistic disciplines are offered at Grand Strand Charter Arts School?
The school provides programs in Dance, Music, Musical Theatre, Theatre, and Visual Arts.

What year do you plan to open?
We plan to open our doors in August for the 2025-2026 school year!

Who is eligible to attend Grand Strand Charter Arts School?

  • Students in grades 8 through 11 for the 2025-2026 school year
  • Students in grades 8 through 12 for the 2026-2027 school year
  • Students in grades 7 through 12 for the 2027-2028 school year and subsequent years

Do you need to be an Horry County resident to apply?
No, residency in Horry County is not required for application. We welcome students from all counties.

Will there be bus transportation provided?
We will not be providing bus transportation at this time, however we will have our PTO set up a carpool system for our school. In future years, our board will be vital in making bus transportation for our students a reality. 

Where will Grand Strand Charter Arts School be located?
The school will be located at 3710 Palmetto Pointe Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588.

Is there a lottery system for acceptance?
Yes, a lottery system will be implemented if applications exceed 100 students per grade.

My student has been accepted to GSCA. What are the next steps?
In the email you receive for the seat acceptance, you will be required to accept or decline the seat. You will then get a confirmation email. And soon after, a registration email will be sent to begin the paperwork process and upload the required documents.

How does the audition process work in a Public Charter School?
Auditions are conducted solely for placement purposes. They assist us in tailoring instruction for varying skill levels within artistic groups and prepare students for their experience at the school.

What does a typical day at GSCA look like?
GSCA will utilize a block schedule that includes both academic classes and art area classes.

What are the school hours?
School will run approximately from 8:20 AM to 3:20 PM.

Can students enroll in multiple artistic disciplines at GSCA?
Due to the rigorous curriculum, students will only have the capacity to focus on one artistic discipline.

What is the student-to-teacher ratio?
Academic classes will have a maximum ratio of 20:1, while artistic classes may vary in size, with larger ensembles having more students per class.

Will Honors and AP level courses be available?
Yes, Honors courses will be available through in-person instruction. While Advanced Placement courses cannot be offered in-person in the first year due to being a new school, but will be provided through virtual learning options like VirtualSC.

Will IEP/504’s be honored at GSCA?
GSCA will abide by the State required IEP/504 policies issued by the SC Department of Education at the discretion of each student. 

Will there be a parent or volunteer program associated with the school? 
Absolutely! Parental involvement will be crucial to the success of both the school and its students.

How many jobs will be available, and how can individuals apply?
Around 40 full-time positions will be available. Interested candidates can apply through our website.

Will there be a theater or stage on-site for performances and rehearsals?
Yes, there will be dedicated spaces for performances and rehearsals, with additional events possibly held at offsite locations in partnership with the community.

Are you planning to establish community partnerships with local arts organizations?
Community engagement and partnerships are fundamental to GSCA, and we will cultivate ongoing relationships for each artistic department.

What is the cost of attendance?
As a public charter school, GSCA is tuition-free.

How can my student apply to GSCA?
Visit our website, grandstrandcharterarts.org, and navigate to the Student Application tab to complete the application.

Meet & Greet with the GSCA Planning Committee on May 15, 2025! 

We are pleased to announce our partnership with Chick-fil-A Surfside for an upcoming Meet & Greet event!
Join us on May 15th at the Surfside location (2360 Dick Pond Rd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29575) from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm for Spirit Night. A percentage of 20% from mobile and dine-in sales will be donated to our school, making it an excellent opportunity to dine and network with us in a single evening.
We invite our GSCA families to participate in this fundraising event and extend an invitation to other families interested in enrolling their students to join us for a great cause.

Meet & Greet with the GSCA Planning Committee on March 19, 2025!

Join the Grand Strand Charter Arts School Planning Committee for its monthly Meet & Greet on March 19th at Coastal Youth Theatre campus, located at 408 Main Street, Conway, SC 29526, from 5 PM to 7 PM. A representative from Coastal Youth Theatre will also be present to discuss their wonderful Youth Program, so this is an event you won’t want to miss!

GSCA families, we will also be running our Student Enrollment Lottery at the end of the meeting, so make sure you attend this meeting in person or on FB live if you have submitted an enrollment application!

Meet & Greet with the GSCA Planning Committee on February 26, 2025!

Grand Strand Community, mark your calendars for our upcoming Meet & Greet with the GSCA Planning Committee!
Join us on February 26, 2025, at the Surfside Library, located at 410 Surfside Dr, Surfside Beach, SC 29575, from 5 PM to 6:45 PM.
This is a great chance for attendees to interact with the GSCA Planning Committee and ask questions about our school.
If you can’t make it in person, don’t worry! We’ll also offer a live stream of the event on our Facebook account!

Meet & Greet with the GSCA Planning Committee on January 29, 2025!

Grand Strand Community, save the date for the first Meet & Greet of 2025 with the GSCA Planning Committee!
This event will take place on January 29, 2025, at the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center, located at 1030 Possum Trot Road, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 (CLASSROOM #4), from 5 PM to 7 PM.
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with GSCA’s Planning Committee and pose questions regarding our school. For those unable to attend in person, we will also provide a live stream of the event via Facebook.

MB ARTS FEST 2024

The Grand Strand Charter Arts School Planning Committee is thrilled to announce that we will be hosting our inaugural festival on November 23rd! The MB Arts Fest will take place in downtown Myrtle Beach on 8th Ave N (between Broadway St. and Alder St) from 10 AM to 2 PM. Attendees can enjoy a variety of vendors offering delicious food and showcasing incredible art! Our main stage will feature performances by many talented local artists. Additionally, GSCA will hold a Meet and Greet with the Planning Committee starting at 1:30 PM.

Meet & Greet with the GSCA Planning Committee #2

Grand Strand Community, mark your calendars for October 23rd 🗓
Our upcoming Meet & Greet for 2024 will be held at the Robert H. Reed Rec Center in Market Common from 5 pm to 7 pm!
Attendees will have the chance to meet GSCA’s Principal and register their students for the 2025-2026 school year.
For those unable to join us in person, we will also live-stream the event on our social media channels.
 
Stella’s Homemade Ice Cream Truck will also be stopping by our Meet & Greet!! They’ll roll in at 4:30 PM, so don’t miss the chance to support this local gem and grab some delicious ice cream before heading inside! Plus, they’ll return after the Meet & Greet as well!