Greenville Technical Charter High School and Public Charter Alliance of South Carolina celebrate new partnerships with South Carolina Children’s Fund

South Carolina Public Charter School District  Superintendent Chris Neeley and civic and educational leaders from across South Carolina will be visiting Greenville Technical Charter High School (GTCHS) on Thursday, September 18, 2025 for a special presentation of new philanthropic partnership investments.  Two South Carolina Children’s Fund (SCCF)  investments will be announced: in both GTCHS and the Public Charter Alliance of South Carolina (PCASC).  Guests will include South Carolina Children’s Fund team and board members, the Public Charter Alliance of South Carolina, South Carolina Public Charter School District (SCPCSD) team members, and staff and board members from Greenville Technical Charter High School.

The first ever charter school in South Carolina, Greenville Technical Charter High School served only a few dozen students when doors opened in 1998. Today, GTCHS serves 540 Upstate youth via its unique “early college” model that enables 9-12th graders to earn college credit alongside traditional college students on the Greenville Technical College Barton Campus. GTCHS began an ambitious expansion plan in 2021 with the opening of its Student Learning Center and renovated the large building next door in the summer of 2025 to expand its facilities to meet the needs of its now-larger student population size. SCCF will be announcing an initial $25,000 philanthropic investment in the school and a similar-sized investment in the Alliance, with the hope that more schools across the state will learn from its pioneering practices and future-facing vision.

“For nearly thirty years, Greenville Technical Charter High School has offered a public charter school option for students and families in the Upstate. During that time, GTCHS has grown to serve more students each year while maintaining a small community mindset,” said Principal Dr. Rhonda Gregory. “From being the first charter school awarded the National Blue Ribbon of Excellence (2010) and the Palmetto’s Finest Award (2008), to most recently being awarded the 2023 Building Hope National Model Charter Award, GTCHS has continued to strive for excellence. To be recognized and supported by South Carolina Children’s Fund, an innovative organization that aims to increase access to high quality educational opportunities for families, is both humbling and rewarding.”

South Carolina Public Charter School District’s Superintendent, Chris Neeley, will be speaking to the success of GTCHS at the event:  “Greenville Technical Charter HIgh School has grown from a few dozen students in 1998 to a statewide leader in innovation, serving over 500 students today and delivering game-changing opportunities to families across the upstate. Thanks to the South Carolina Children’s Fund for supporting a high-quality school choice option that continues to put Kids First!”

SCCF’s Chief Executive Officer, Christopher N. Ruszkowski, will be onsite presenting the new investments.  “South Carolina Children’s Fund is committed to learning from the last quarter-century of growth and progress across the state’s educational ecosystem, while supporting schools and organizations around the state who are looking to expand and deepen their impact working with students and families.  Today’s event celebrates not only one of the state’s public charter school pioneers, but also highlights best practices that should be adopted more widely across more South Carolina high schools.  These two investments recognize and celebrate achievements over the last quarter-century while looking ahead to structural changes needed in the next.”

“We are grateful for the South Carolina Children’s Fund’s investment in our work,” said Kevin Mason, Executive Director of the Public Charter School Alliance of South Carolina. “This catalytic support allows us to elevate the voices of families and educators, shine a light on the challenges within our public education system, and advocate for high-quality charter schools. Together, we can ensure that every child in South Carolina has greater access to the opportunities they deserve.”

The Public Charter School Alliance of South Carolina (PCSASC) is the statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the success of public charter schools. Since 2001, PCSASC has served as a voice for the state’s charter schools, advocating for policies that protect school autonomy and expand access to quality education.

About SCCF

Over the last few years, an accomplished group of civic leaders and education experts came together to launch the South Carolina Children’s Fund.  In its first year of existence, SCCF has already invested over $1M across a portfolio of organizations representing its five areas of focus. Other organizations supported include Communities-in-Schools-South Carolina, Compass Collegiate Academy, Cristo Rey High School Charleston, The Education Lab @ The Post & Courier, Palmetto Promise, Donors Choose, and Liberty STEAM.