Charter schools are unique public schools that are allowed the freedom to be more innovative in exchange for being held strictly accountable for advancing student achievement. They are publically funded, do not charge tuition and are open to ALL students.
Charters are structured to foster a close partnership between parents, teachers and students and seek to increase parent involvement, allow teacher innovation and create an environment tailored to the unique needs of individual students. This model has made them some of the top performing schools in the country.
In South Carolina, more than half of charter schools are sponsored by local districts, while the remaining schools are operated by the statewide South Carolina Public Charter School District.