PICKENS COUNTY — The South Carolina Youth Leadership Academy Charter School opened in August 2012, serving 24 6th-graders and 24 7th-graders and will add 8th grade in 2013.

The school, partnering with Clemson University’s Youth Learning Institute, is an approved public school through the South Carolina State Charter School District. There is no tuition charge for students to attend, and any resident of South Carolina is eligible for enrollment.

The rigorous academic focus of YLA is STEM subjects — Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics — with a cultural emphasis on leadership, teamwork, character, outdoor education and health/wellness.

Registration applications for the incoming 6th grade class are being accepted Jan. 8 – Feb. 12 and can be picked up at the Youth Learning Institute Educational Center located at 698 Concord Church Road, Pickens. The school is housed on the YLI campus.

An informational session is planned for Tuesday, Jan. 8, starting at 6 p.m., at the site on Concord Church Road. Anyone interested in more information or in registering for 6thgrade enrollment is encouraged to attend. Registration applications will be available at the meeting. If the number of interested applicants exceeds the enrollment openings, a public lottery will be held on Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. on.site and will be open to the public.

Youth Leadership Academy is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment.

YLA does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnic origin, marital status, disability or age.