Charter school accountability act

South Carolina Charter Schools

Year charter school law was enacted

Estimated number of charter schools in 2020-2021

Estimated number of charter school students in 2020-2021

Find a South Carolina charter school near you.

SC News

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Welcomes 10 High School Students to Third Cohort of Rising Leaders

Top Public High Schools in the Nation" />

U.S. News Ranks Charter Schools Among the Top Public High Schools in the Nation

5 Charter Schools Making Every Day Earth Day

15 Charter Schools Honored as 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools

30 Under 30 Changemakers Awards

State Association

Public Charter School Alliance of South Carolina

Charleston, SC

Charter School Authorizing

Chartering Authorities

Most public schools in South Carolina are operated by one of the state’s 73 school districts. Charter schools account for 81 of the state’s public schools, which operate with more autonomy than district schools. Charter schools operate under a contract with an authorizer, either the South Carolina Public Charter School District (SCPCSD), an institute of higher education, or a local school district.

Schools chartered by a local district have more autonomy than other district schools but are still part of their local district and are located within the district’s geographical boundaries. Currently, any South Carolina district can authorize charter schools. All state-chartered schools in South Carolina are authorized by either the SCPCSD, the Charter Institute at Erskine, or Limestone Charter Association. These authorizers are the school’s Local Education Agency (LEA). Schools under these authorizers can be located in any part of the state.