The South Carolina General Assembly approved SC Charter Law: 59-40-30 (B) in May 2006 to encourage cultural diversity, educational improvement, and academic excellence. The Legislature created the South Carolina Public Charter School District (PCSD) to execute this mission and the PCSD embraces its state-appointed role as the distinct authorizer of public charter schools statewide. With a mission to improve student learning and increase learning opportunities by creating innovative, high-quality charter schools, the District strives to achieve academic excellence by championing and advancing educational choices that are student-centric and parent-respected. After a year of planning, the first schools opened for the 2008-2009 school year.

In 2023-2024, the PCSD authorized, championed, and supported a growing portfolio of 38 public charter schools across South Carolina. Under the leadership of Superintendent Chris Neeley, the PCSD is positioning itself to lead the way to academic excellence for students and parents across South Carolina. This journey will play a significant role in helping the state close the achievement gap by ensuring that each student is academically equipped to reach their full potential.

In 2024-2025, with a network of 44 total charter schools across the state, the District is positioned to impact the economic mobility of forgotten rural regions of South Carolina like the I-95 corridor. These communities need educational choice opportunities to prepare today's generation for economic expansion in the future. Establishing charter schools in these regions is a viable option to address these needs. The District's success in expanding its portfolio of schools will ensure that every student has access to a high-quality education that will academically equip them to reach their life-long fullest potential.

POSITION STATEMENT

The PCSD embraces its state-approved role as the distinct authorizer of public charter schools statewide.

VISION STATEMENT

We envision a South Carolina where each child is academically equipped to reach their full potential in life.

MISSION STATEMENT

The South Carolina Public Charter School District authorizes, supports, and champions innovative K-12 public charter schools, ensuring quality educational opportunities for parents, and academic excellence for students, so every South Carolina child can reach their highest potential.

CORE VALUES

We value all students’ unique talents and abilities and hold high expectations for social, emotional, and academic growth inclusively within the diverse population we serve. The following principles guide our efforts:

· Focus – We are committed to the students and parents served by the charter schools we sponsor and pledge to bring our best efforts forward to ensure and support their successes.

· Integrity – We are committed to upholding a District culture that exemplifies the highest levels of honesty, respect, and dignity in all of our interactions and endeavors.

· Opportunity – We are committed to advocating and providing for the essential resources diverse students need to ensure everyone has access to an equal opportunity to achieve their highest academic potential.

· Excellence – We are committed to be second to none in authorizing, supporting, sustaining, and championing schools we sponsor with efficient, effective, visionary, and resourceful leadership to further facilitate their successes.

· Relationships – We are committed to building and sustaining positive and healthy partnerships with charter schools we sponsor, communities and businesses to ensure every student in South Carolina has access to a high-quality education.