In December, the Alliance hosted a landmark conference in Hilton Head that brought together the vibrant charter school community from across South Carolina. With nearly 500 attendees representing school leaders and staff, board members, new charter school planning groups, authorizers, partners, supporters, and more, the conference reflected the full breadth of our charter school community.
Participants engaged in 40 breakout sessions and explored 20 collaborative table topics during our Coffeehouse Table Exchange, creating meaningful opportunities for shared learning, problem-solving, and connection.
We were honored to hear from two dynamic keynote speakers. Principal Baruti Kafele encouraged school leaders to reflect deeply on their leadership, challenging them to consider whether the students and staff in their buildings are better because of their influence. Jessica Garner addressed the timely and relevant topic of artificial intelligence in education, sparking important conversations around policy, responsible AI use, and how schools can prepare students for the world they are living in today.
The conference also marked a major milestone as we celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Alliance. Our Thursday night After Party brought the charter school community together for an evening filled with laughter, dancing, and celebration—honoring how far we’ve come and the lasting impact charter schools have made across the state.
Looking ahead, we are excited to share that the 2026 conference will return to the Upstate, taking place at the Hyatt in downtown Greenville from December 2–4. We are already looking forward to building on this momentum and delivering an even more impactful event.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors and conference advisory committee for their support and dedication in helping us deliver a conference truly worthy of the moment.
Be sure to check out our video recap to relive the highlights and energy from December in Hilton Head.
