Families moving into the Chapin area will have to pick a different school for their elementary-age children.

The Lexington-Richland School Distrct 5 board has approved an enrollment freeze at Chapin Elementary School.

The freeze is Phase II of a plan to address increasing enrollment for elementary schools in the Chapin area.

“Students and families who will be moving into the Chapin Elementary and Lake Murray Elementary attendance zones after Jan. 22, 2019 will be reassigned to a school with available space and capacity for additional students,” Chief Planning and Administrative Officer Dr. Michael Harris said.

“Last year, we implemented a freeze at Lake Murray Elementary School, and that will continue as part of our effort to provide a temporary solution to growth in this area of our district.”

In 2015, District 5 reassigned 5th graders from Chapin area elementary schools to Chapin Intermediate School, which now serves 5th and 6th graders.

All families moving into areas impacted by the freeze will have to choose between:

• Ballentine Elementary School

• Dutch Fork Elementary School

• River Springs Elementary School

• Or any of the district’s magnet schools or schools of choice (application required)

The Phase II freeze does not include families who currently reside in the Chapin Elementary School and Lake Murray Elementary School attendance area or those who have a valid contract of purchase document, lease agreement or rental agreement dated prior to January 22, 2019.

Visit the district’s website at www.lexrich5.org for more information.