About Us

We are South Carolina’s trusted voice for public charter schools

We believe in the transformative power of education and are dedicated to ensuring that every student in our state has access to a high-quality public school, which shapes a brighter future for all.

We exist to make the larger charter school community feel smaller and more connected as they continue to bring quality education to students throughout the state.

Since 2001, the SC Charter Alliance has been the trusted voice in fostering innovative and high-quality public charter education in South Carolina. We support our member schools in their pursuit of excellence by empowering educators, involving state leaders and communities, engaging families and business leaders.
See our 2027-2030 Strategic Plan

Our Vision

  • We believe in the transformative power of education to shape a brighter future for all.
  • We believe that strong advocacy and support are key to the success and sustainability of charter schools.
  • We believe in fostering a collaborative community of charter school advocates.

Our Mission

We are South Carolina’s trusted voice for public charter schools, advocating for, supporting, and uniting students, families, educators, and communities to expand access to high-quality, innovative public education.

Connection

Promote a stronger community of inter-connected charter schools and a larger support network, so they can support and encourage one another.

Value

Remove obstacles and provide resources for charter schools, and advocate on their behalf, so they can effectively serve their students and their families.

Guidance

Walk alongside charter schools and offer assistance through specialized services as a trusted partner that helps them navigate complex topics and requirements.

What We Do

Our strategic focus lies in uniting and leading South Carolina’s charter school movement - trusted for our expertise, known for bold advocacy, and defined by transformational outcomes for students and communities.

Advocate

We advocate for South Carolina’s public charter schools by advancing policies that protect equitable funding, autonomy and flexibility, while actively opposing legislation that threatens their success.
  • Fairness in Funding

  • Excellence in Education

  • Autonomy with Accountability

Learn more about our advocacy efforts

Educate

We amplify success stories from our charter school community to foster stronger public support, raising awareness and understanding, while sharing the positive differences charter make with community members, organizations, and families.
  • Provide clarity about charter schools
  • Give charters access to shared knowledge
  • Describe their value to our communities
Get the facts about SC charter schools

Support

We act as a central hub of resources for leaders, educators, and board members, by providing services, best practices and professional development, as well as connecting them to a broader support network through our partnerships.
  • Connect charters with a greater network
  • Provide valuable assistance and service
  • Share resources and best practices
See our resources and membership benefits
Meet our leadership team

    

The Alliance’s advocacy during the legislative session was nothing short of essential. Their team earned credibility with legislators, secured meetings that many others simply couldn’t, and brought together diverse charter school leaders to present thoughtful, unified solutions. Because the Alliance had a seat at the table, the final legislation was significantly stronger, and every charter school in the state will benefit as a result of their leadership. 

David Crook
Chief Executive Officer, The Heron Institute

    

PCSASC membership has been an invaluable resource for our school. The Alliance consistently offers high-quality professional learning that strengthens the capacity of both school leaders and board members to lead meaningful, continuous school improvement. 

Dr. Tomikia Whitmire
Executive Director, Spartanburg Preparatory School

    

Education leadership can often feel isolating, and having a network of fellow charter school leaders who understand both the challenges and opportunities of this work is invaluable. The Alliance does more than bring schools together—it helps build a true community of educators united by a shared commitment to serving students well. 

Dr. Ann Marie Taylor
Chief Vision Officer, Spartanburg Preparatory School

    

Being a part of the Alliance has given me a peace of mind as a school leader by providing both reassurance and tangible support. Through strong legislative advocacy and protection from harmful legislation, I know our school has a voice that is heard and respected at the state level.

Dr. Carla Brabham
Founding School Leader, Richland One Middle College

    

Connecting with vetted, reputable vendors through the Alliance has been an invaluable asset for our technical and operational needs, especially across technology, human resources, and financial operations. Knowing these companies are pre-screened brings immense peace of mind, allowing us to confidently partner with trusted professionals who truly understand the unique demands of our charter school. 

Trina Freeman
School Principal, Brashier Middle College

    

As a charter school leader, I don't have the bandwidth to track every bill moving through Columbia, but the Alliance does, and they make sure our voice is in the room when decisions are being made that shape what's possible for our students. That advocacy isn't abstract to us; it has a real impact on what we're able to offer at Riverwalk Academy. 

Dr. Robert Compton
Head of School, Riverwalk Academy

    

The Public Charter School Alliance has been an invaluable resource for our school. They stay ahead of legislation affecting charter schools and keep school leaders informed every step of the way. During this past legislative session, which brought significant challenges for charter schools across South Carolina, the Alliance connected us directly with legislators when it mattered most, giving us the opportunity to advocate for the autonomy that is essential to our school's success.

Tim Thorn
School Principal, James Island Charter High School

Everything is changing so fast, and if you don’t stay ahead of the curve by interacting with other people that have great ideas, then you really are just doing the same thing over and over again. And usually, that’s just not going to work. I feel like all of the greatest ideas from all of the charter schools are at [the conference} for everyone to hear about, learn about, and it’s really just an excellent opportunity to find some practices that are working.


Katie Yon

Brashier Middle College Charter