Charleston County School District (CCSD) has been awarded the 2018 South Carolina Charter School Sponsor of the Year by the Public Charter School Alliance of South Carolina (PCSASC).
“Charleston County School District has been on the forefront of charter schools in South Carolina,” said Carol Aust, Executive Director of PCSASC. “This award recognizes the District’s ongoing commitment in supporting charter school success these last 20 years.”
The award, given at the 18th Annual South Carolina Charter School Conference today in Charleston, recognizes a charter school sponsor with an exemplary record of service, whose schools have become successful through their active involvement and support within the charter school movement in South Carolina.
“We have worked hard over the past several years to build strong relationships with the charter schools we sponsor and are dedicated to helping them achieve excellence,” said Bob Olson, CCSD’s Charter School Liaison.
Currently the largest local school district sponsor and third largest overall sponsor of charter schools in South Carolina, CCSD has authorized ten charter schools in the Lowcountry with support and assistance that includes professional development and contractual support services.
CCSD has also been an instrumental partner to numerous state-wide authorized schools within the county, providing contracted services and leasing facility space that have grown the charter school movement and its impact in education.
Currently, more than 4,500 children are enrolled in the following charter schools authorized by CCSD:
- Allegro Charter School of Music
- Carolina Voyager Academy
- Charleston Development Academy • Charleston Charter School for Math and Science
- East Cooper Montessori Charter School
- Greg Mathis Charter High School
- James Island Charter High School
- Orange Grove Charter School
- Pattison’s Academy for Comprehensive Education
- Prestige Preparatory Academy
About the Charleston County School District
Charleston County School District (CCSD) is the second largest school system in South Carolina representing a unique blend of urban, suburban, and rural schools that span 1,000 square miles along the coast. CCSD serves more than 50,000 students in 86 schools and several specialized programs. With approximately 6,100 employees district-wide, CCSD is the fourth largest employer in the region.
CCSD offers a diverse, expanding portfolio of options and specialized programs, delivered through neighborhood, charter, magnet, IB (international baccalaureate), and Montessori schools, and is divided into three Learning Communities led by associate superintendents. Options include specialized programs in science, engineering and mathematics; liberal arts; music and other creative and performing arts; career and technical preparation programs; and military and other public service enterprises.
About the Public Charter School Alliance of South Carolina
The mission of the Public Charter School Alliance of South Carolina (PCSASC) is to strengthen public education for South Carolina students by supporting and advocating for high quality public charter schools.
PCSASC is a nonprofit 501c3 organization with membership open to public charters schools and public charter school supporters including families, community leaders, and business leaders. Since our inception in 2001, a dedicated group of staff members, volunteers, and member schools have worked for significant legislative change to benefit South Carolina’s charter public schools and to develop resources and supports for South Carolina’s charter schools.
Pictured (L-R): Carol Aust, PCSASC’s Executive Director, Dr. Gerrita Postlewait, CCSD Superintendent of Schools, and Representative Nancy Mace (House District 99). Please courtesy PCSASC on the photo.
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