Parent FAQ Submission

This page houses questions submitted by parents and answered by Palmetto Prep. Please click the link below to send your question.

Submit Parent FAQ entry

Current Submissions:

Q: "What is the dress code for 2nd graders?  What kind of supplies do they need?"

A: Palmetto Prep has instituted a simple, but mandatory dress code for the students. Each student must wear navy or khaki bottoms with a top that has an embroidered Palmetto Prep logo. Shirts should be tucked in and a brown belt should be worn with all bottoms that have belt loops. For footwear, each student should wear white socks with predominately white or navy sneakers. The various tops and bottoms should be purchased from Land's End; socks, sneakers, and a brown belt can be purchased from a store of your
choice.

The approved dress code items are listed under our Preferred School Number on the Land's End Website. Knit and cotton tops can be purchased in the following colors: white, navy, light blue, yellow, and pink. Pants, shorts, skorts, and jumpers may be purchased in navy or khaki.

School supplies are minimal.  Our second grade teacher asked for the following this school year: 1 pair of Fiskar scissors, 1 small pack of crayons, 2 glue sticks, 2 bottles of glue, and pencils.

Q: "Are there plans to schedule more Parents’ Night Out events?"

A: We typically offer Parents’ Night Out one Saturday each month from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.  However, during the month of December, we offer some extra opportunities to allow parents to get their holiday shopping done. These dates will be posted on our website soon!
 
Parents’ Night Out is an opportunity for parents to drop their children off at Palmetto Prep and enjoy a night out!  We provide pizza and drinks, and the children play, watch a movie and have fun.  The cost is $35.00 for the first child and $15.00 per sibling; the payment should be made in cash when you drop your child off.  Parents must sign up in advance, and if you sign up but don’t show up, you will be billed for half of the amount due.  Parents are encouraged to invite their non-Palmetto Prep friends to use this service, as well.  It’s a great way to let them get a taste of what Palmetto Prep has to offer!

Q: "Is there a plan to integrate more whole wheat and whole grain products (e.g. whole grain bagels, whole wheat pancakes, whole wheat pasta.) into the menu?"

A: We currently serve whole grain bread, and have tried some other whole grain products.  Unfortunately, the ones we’ve tried so far did not go over very well with the children! We want to offer healthy, nutritious food, but also want to be sure the children eat their lunch.  We change the menu every quarter, and will continue to try new items.  We are always open to parents’ suggestions!

Q: "Will Palmetto Prep continue to offer a sibling discount?"

A: Yes.  A 10% sibling discount is available to families with more than one child enrolled in the Pre-School and/or Primary School program.  The discount is taken off the higher tuition.

Q: "Will you be participating in state-wide assessments this year?"

A: Palmetto Prep uses the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) standardized test for 1st grade and up.  The ITBS compares our students and our school to others nationally.  We use the test as a guide to validate that our curriculum and teaching methods are going in the right direction.  We do not "teach" towards a standardized test at Palmetto Prep.

Q: "Are you accredited by the SC State Department of Education?"

A: Palmetto Prep is not currently accredited, but our curriculum encompasses (and in many cases, exceeds) all South Carolina state standards.  Additionally, we meet and/or exceed all health and safety guidelines outlined by accrediting sources.

Q: "Do your Kindergarten through 3rd grades meet the defined minimum program minutes for language arts, math, science and social studies?"

A: We meet and exceed the minimum program minutes in all areas.  Our low ratios allow us to maximize the teach time in our classrooms.

Q: "What language arts curriculum do you use?"

A: Open Court Reading is our curriculum choice for language arts.  It is supported by Core Knowledge because of its scope and sequence.

Q: "Does Palmetto Prep deduct from the monthly tuition when the school is closed for staff days or for long holidays (esp. the week of Christmas and two days at Thanksgiving) when parents have to make other childcare arrangements?"

A: No. Palmetto Prep’s tuition is a yearly amount divided into 12 equal payments. The monthly tuition is the same each month regardless of how many days a child attends in that month. Our scheduled closings are posted on our website to give parents plenty of notice to make alternate arrangements on the days we’re closed.