Charter Schools

What is a Charter?

Charter Schools: According to the South Carolina Dept. of Ed. and the South Carolina Charter Schools Act of 1996, a charter school is defined as a public, nonreligious, non home-based, nonprofit corporation forming a school that operates through the authorization/sponsorship of a local public school district, the SC Public Charter School District, or a public or independent institution of higher learning, but is accountable to the board of trustees, or in the case of technical colleges, the area commission, of the sponsor which grants its charter. 

Charleston County School District sponsors nine charter schools, with compliance managed through the Office of Accountability under the School Choice department. All students residing in Charleston County are eligible to apply to the CCSD-sponsored charter schools.  

Families interested in applying to Allegro Charter, Carolina Voyager Charter,  East Cooper Montessori Charter, Greg Mathis Charter High School, James Island Charter High School, or Orange Grove Charter, please visit the CCSD School Choice website or call the CCSD School Choice office at 843-937-6582 for information about the annual CCSD school choice application process and timeline (typically the annual application period opens in January and closes in February).  

*Families interested in applying to Charleston Charter for Math and Science, Charleston Development Academy, or Pattison's Academy, please visit these school's websites for more information on their annual application process and timeline.