New charter school starters launching efforts across the state
August 8, 2016
South Carolina Department of Education to host new school development training August 9th in Columbia.
Educators, parents and community leaders considering starting new public charter schools as an option to address students’ academic needs in their communities are invited to participate in a training workshop with SC Department of Education on Tuesday, August 9 th at EdVenture in Columbia, SC.
The training will include an overview of the process for applying to start a new public charter school in South Carolina for the 2018-19 school year. Participants will also receive training on developing an educational program that meets the unique needs of students in their communities with Beverly Carbaugh of Learning Sciences Marzano Center.
Last year, the SC Department of Education (SCDE) was awarded a $30 million grant for the planning and implementation of new charter schools in South Carolina over the next five years. Charter committees will be able to apply to the SCDE in a competitive process after they have an approved charter school application.
Charter schools are public schools that are allowed the freedom to be more innovative while being held accountable for approving student achievement. Charter schools are tuition-free and open to all students, space permitting.
South Carolina public charter schools will serve over 32,000 students in South Carolina in 72 schools in the 2016 – 2017 school year including three new schools: Oceanside Collegiate in Mt. Pleasant, Prestige Preparatory Academy in North Charleston, and Tall Pines STEM Academy in Aiken along with an expansion of NEXT Charter in Oconee County. Three schools have been approved to open in 2017 Green Charter School in Columbia, Mevers Berkeley School of Excellence in Berkeley County, and Midlands Arts Conservatory in Columbia. There are over 15 charter committees considering applications for new schools in the coming years.
“Public charter schools empower educators and community leaders to change the educational landscape in their communities and offer unique opportunities for students,” stated Mary Carmichael, executive director of the Public Charter School Alliance of SC.
One contributing factor to the growth of high-quality public charter schools in South Carolina is the new school incubator work done by the Public Charter School Alliance of South Carolina (The Alliance). The Alliance meets with startup charter planning groups and guides them through the application and pre-operating process.
For schools looking to open in 2018-19, the Letter of Intent to is due to sponsoring districts on November 3, 2016. There are less than 6 months left until applications are due for the 2018- 19 applicants on February 1, 2017.
The Alliance will work with startup charter groups to make certain these deadlines are met with applications focusing on the needs in their communities, documenting widespread public engagement, and innovating with educational programs and flexibility allowed with the charter model.
Charter School Application Technical Assistance Session
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Canal Room
EdVenture Children’s Museum
211 Gervais Street
Columbia, SC, 29201
Interested participants should register using this link:
https://scde.formstack.com/forms/charterappta17
More information about opening a new school, the grant, and training events can be found at the Alliance website: www.SCCharterSchools.org.
About the Public Charter School Alliance of South Carolina
The Public Charter School Alliance of South Carolina’s mission is to strengthen public education for South Carolina students by supporting and advocating for high quality public charter schools.
