South Carolina Public Charter School District celebrates 20th anniversary
May 19, 2026
The South Carolina Public Charter School District (PCSD) celebrates its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of expanding educational opportunity, innovation, and school choice for families across South Carolina.
Created by the South Carolina General Assembly in 2006 as the state’s only statewide public school district for charter schools, the PCSD was established to help grow high-quality public charter school opportunities beyond traditional geographic boundaries. Charter schools themselves were first authorized in South Carolina through the Charter Schools Act of 1996.
Today, the district serves more than 30,000 students in 59 schools across the state and has become one of the fastest-growing public school districts in South Carolina.
The anniversary celebration brought together state leaders, educators, trustees, families, and charter school supporters to reflect on the district’s growth and the impact public charter schools have had on children and communities throughout South Carolina.
“This celebration is ultimately about children,” said Chris G. Neeley, Superintendent of the South Carolina Public Charter School District. “The true story of the last twenty years has never simply been about growth in numbers. It has been about children who found places where they felt seen, supported, and believed in. Every child carries within them a spark of curiosity, creativity, dignity, and possibility, and our responsibility is to create educational places where that spark can grow.”
Neeley also reflected on the evolving future of public education and the role charter schools can continue to play in meeting the changing needs of families and communities.
“We are seeing families across America searching for smaller, more personal learning communities where children feel known and where learning is connected to purpose, opportunity, and real life,” Neeley said. “The future of education must become more human, more personalized, and more responsive to the unique needs of children. Public charter schools are uniquely positioned to help lead that transformation.”
Board Chair Cyndi Mosteller said the district’s success over the last twenty years has been driven by a commitment to students, families, and innovation.
“For twenty years, the South Carolina Public Charter School District has remained focused on creating opportunities for children and empowering families with meaningful public educational choices,” said Mosteller. “What makes this district special is not simply its growth, but the culture of innovation, accountability, and student-centered leadership that exists across our public schools. We are proud of the progress made over the last two decades, but even more hopeful about the future for the children and communities we serve.”
Over the past two decades, the district has expanded access to diverse educational models serving students from rural communities, urban areas, military families, students with disabilities, and families seeking more personalized approaches to learning. The district has also made meaningful progress toward closing achievement gaps while continuing to emphasize innovation, accountability, and educational opportunity.
As the district looks toward the future, leaders emphasized the importance of creating educational environments that are more connected to children’s individual needs, workforce opportunities, higher education pathways, military service, and the evolving needs of communities across South Carolina.
The South Carolina Public Charter School District remains committed to its mission of putting Kids First while continuing to expand access to high-quality public charter schools throughout the state.
About the South Carolina Public Charter School District
The South Carolina Public Charter School District is the state’s only statewide public school district authorized to sponsor and oversee public charter schools across South Carolina. Established in 2006, the district serves more than 30,000 students in 59 schools statewide and is committed to expanding educational opportunity, innovation, and choice for South Carolina families.
