Florence School District 3, located in lower Florence County, is the second largest of the four school districts in the county. The district is at the midpoint between Columbia and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina - approximately 65 miles east of Columbia and 65 miles west of Myrtle Beach. The district is home to many well-known graduates, such as Challenger astronaut and physicist Dr. Ronald E. McNair, as well as many doctors, lawyers, educators, judges and business leaders. A 9-member Board of Trustees, elected from seven single-member districts, governs the school district.
As part FSD3’s school choice initiative, beginning with the 2018-2019 school year schools will undergo name changes and areas of specific focus. Name changes and grade offerings include:
- Olanta Creative Arts & Science Magnet School – 4K-6
- Lake City Early Childhood School of Arts – 4K-2
- Main Street Elementary School of Arts – 3-6
- J.C. Lynch Elementary School of STEM – 4K-6
- Scranton STEAM Academy – 4K-6
- J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts & Science Magnet School – 6-12
- Dr. Ronald E. McNair School of Digital Communication and Leadership – 7-8
- Lake City Early College High School – 9-12
Olanta Creative Arts & Science Magnet School is open to students in grades K-6 and J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts & Science Magnet School is open to students in grades 6-11. Enrollment is open to both FCSD3 students and students from other school districts.The 2019-2020 school year begins J.C. Lynch Elementary School's Montessori journey. JCL has five primary classrooms composed of 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds. with the 2020-2021 school year, JCL's 5-year-old students will transfer into first grade Montessori classrooms.
Parents of students interested in attending either of the magnet schools must complete an application. Students will be selected for enrollment by a lottery system.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Florence School District 3 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services. All district programs operate in compliance with the provisions of Title VI, Title VII, Title IX and other applicable civil rights laws. The Chief Operations Officer has been designated to coordinate compliance in the provision of educational programs/services accessibility and the nondiscrimination requirements contained in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Director of Human Resources has been designated to coordinate compliance in employment and related services.