General Information
According to the South Carolina Charter Schools Act, as amended by Act 123 of 2026, an Authorizer is the entity that approves and oversees a charter school. Authorized entities may include the South Carolina Public Charter School District Board of Trustees, local school district boards of trustees, and certain public or independent institutions of higher education authorized by law and registered with the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE).
The authorizer of a charter school serves as the school's Local Education Agency (LEA). As the LEA, the authorizer is responsible for ensuring that the charter school complies with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, including requirements related to special education services and student protections.
Act 123 strengthened the role of charter school authorizers by establishing enhanced accountability, transparency, and oversight requirements. Authorizers are responsible for monitoring the academic, operational, and financial performance of the schools they oversee and must ensure compliance with state law, charter contracts, and applicable accountability standards.
Only those public or independent institutions of higher learning that are registered with the SCDE may serve as charter school authorizers. The SCDE maintains a directory of approved charter school authorizers operating within South Carolina.
The South Carolina Department of Education provides oversight of charter school authorizers and is responsible for implementing provisions established under Act 123 to promote transparency, accountability, and high-quality educational opportunities for South Caro
South Carolina Charter School Authorizer
The Closure of Limestone Charter Association and Transfer of Schools
Operations Ceased Effective April 15, 2026, See notice below:
Notification of Limestone Charter Association Ceasing to Function as a Local Education Agency/School District
Please note that effective April 15, 2026, the Limestone Charter Association will no longer function as a Local Education Agency (LEA). All LEA responsibilities and obligations have been transitioned to the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) and its designee, the South Carolina Public Charter School District (SCPCSD). Please direct your inquiries to the SCDE office (803-734-1938) or charterschools@ed.sc.gov or email SCPCSD at LCASupport@sccharter.org for guidance and support.
Prospective IHE Charter School Sponsors
The South Carolina Department of Education Charter School Program is currently accepting registration forms for institutions of higher education that would like to be listed as statewide charter school authorizers. Newly registering institution of higher education authorizers would be listed in a time effective for the 2028 charter school application window. Registering institutions will be able to complete the required Ready to Authorize process and the South Carolina Department of Education would be able to conduct administrative processes in the areas of finance, accountability, human resources, legal, and other areas necessary for a newly registered institution of higher education to be able to participate in the 2028 Charter School Application window.
Institutions of Higher Learning that wish to register as charter school sponsors should contact the following email for the registration document: charterschools@ed.sc.gov.
