Magnet Bus Policy & Rules

Transportation By-Laws for Attendance Zone 3

Per South Carolina Code of Laws and the James Island Charter High School By-Laws, James Island Charter High School is only required to transport students who are assigned to Attendance Zone 3, which is James Island and Folly Beach. Transportation for choice* application students is the responsibility of the parents or guardians. 

*Choice students are those who reside outside of Zone 3.

Choice Students and the Magnet Bus Transportation Service

Other than a parent or guardian driving their choice students to and from JICHS, there is an option for these students to ride on a "Magnet Bus" to attend JICHS. As seating and funding are available, Magnet Bus Transportation is provided based on a "first come, first served" basis giving preference to students’ grade level.

Reserving a Seat, Paying for a Seat, and Waiting Lists for Magnet Bus Transportation

There is an annual fee of $200 for this service. If you choose to attend JICHS as a choice student and request a seat on the bus, a minimum payment of $100 is due prior to the start of the school year to reserve your seat. The process is outlined below.

Step 1: The Application Window

The magnet application form window will be announced on the JICHS website during the Spring semester. The application* serves to notify Office 120 of your intention to ride the Magnet Bus for the upcoming school year. Payments are not made at the time of the application window. 

• Please note that by completing the application does not guarantee a seat on the bus. 

• Each bus has a capacity of 44 students. 

• The application request is completed via the Magnet Bus Application Form and a time-stamp is recorded once submitted.   

• Payment is not collected at this time.

Step 2: Payment 

Beginning the first week in July, the first 44 applicants for each bus route selected, will be notified off acceptance of a seat and will need to make a payment by August 1st to secure a seat. Notifications are emailed to the email address on the application/reservation form.

Please notify office 120 if you will not be attending JICHS in the fall or are seeking alternative transportation to the school (student driver, moved in/out of the area, etc.). This moves students that are on the waiting list to be offered a seat!

Student acceptance for the fall semester, a completed application, and the initial $100.00 payment will secure a seat for your student based on the time-stamp of the application and payment time stamp.

There are no exceptions for payment (free & reduced lunch students will be required to make the payment for the service).

Step 3: Confirmation of Seat and Route Information

Prior to the fall semester, the bus transportation department will contact Office 120 with the upcoming bus route information. We will relay that information to students and parents as soon as possible after you receive the confirmation of reservation with a paid seat.

• Routes will be updated frequently before the first day of school, but the initial information is within a few minutes of the pick up/arrival times. 

• Routes times will vary at the beginning of the school year as traffic patterns in the Johns Island and West Ashley area are affected by heavy traffic and delays. 

• Routes will be updated and adjusted to get students to JICHS before 8:30 a.m.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Office 120 at 843-762-5349.