COLUMBIA, SC – Charter Institute at Erskine (Institute) schools show signs of growth in recently released academic data from the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE).
The data, released Tuesday, represents each school’s performance during the 2023-2024 school year.
“From Title I schools in rural South Carolina, to statewide virtual schools that serve students in nearly every zip code, Institute schools are seeing growth across the board,” said Institute Superintendent Cameron Runyan. “Charter schools are constantly evolving, changing, and improving – that’s the nature of the innovative spirit upon which they were founded. This data reinforces the progress we’ve made and provides a clear roadmap for the future.”
Outperforming the Local District
Based on results from the SC READY and end-of-course (EOC) state assessments in the 2023-2024 school year, 67.9 percent of Institute schools outperformed their local districts.
In addition to outperforming their local districts for the last four years, Brashier Middle College Charter High School (Greenville County) and Gray Collegiate Academy (Lexington County) achieved 100% graduation rates. This accomplishment places them among only four charter schools and ten schools statewide to reach this milestone.
Institute schools are not only outperforming their local districts, some are ranked as the top schools in South Carolina for their academic excellence, including:
- Gray Collegiate Academy (Lexington County)
- Langston Charter Middle School (Greenville County)
- Brashier Middle College Charter High School (Greenville County)
These three schools all ranked in the top 10 percent statewide in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. Additionally, Langston Charter Middle School was named by the U.S. Department of Education as a 2025 National Blue Ribbon School.
The following Institute schools are ranked in the top 25 percent in ELA and Mathematics:
- Belton Preparatory Academy (Anderson County)
- Gray Collegiate Academy (Lexington County)
The following Institute schools were ranked in the top 25 percent statewide in either ELA or Mathematics:
- American Leadership Academy Lexington (Lexington County)
- Belton Preparatory Academy (Anderson County)
- Berkeley Preparatory Academy (Berkeley County)
- Midlands STEM Charter School (Fairfield County)
- Royal Live Oaks Academy (Jasper County)
Finally, in comparing the Institute’s Brick and Mortar schools to all other districts across the state, the Institute performs in the top 10 percent in Biology 1, English 2, and U.S. History, and the top 50 percent in Algebra 1.
The Institute’s Brick and Mortar schools also finished in the top 25 percent of SC Ready ELA and in the top 50 percent of Mathematics.
Virtual Schools Serving Students Across the State
The Institute’s six virtual schools serve more than 14,000 virtual students across the state.
Four of the six virtual schools in the Institute’s portfolio increased their graduation rates, according to the three-year graduation rates for 2022, 2023, and 2024. Odyssey Online Learning, a virtual, statewide high school, increased its graduation rate from 63.5 percent in 2022 to 82 percent in 2024, a significant 29.2 percent increase over just two academic years.
South Carolina Connections Academy and South Carolina Virtual Charter School are both exceeding the state in the percent of students meeting or exceeding expectations in SC Ready ELA and exceeding in the percent of students scoring a C or higher in English 2.
In addition to their academic achievements, every virtual school with the Institute earned an Excellent rating on the SCDE School Climate Survey.
Rural Schools Creating Opportunities for SC Children
More than half (58.8 percent) of Institute students are considered Pupils in Poverty by SCDE. These students who are attending Institute schools are finding ways to excel, despite often difficult circumstances.
Thornwell Charter School (Laurens County) has received two 2024 Palmetto Silver Awards. This prestigious SCDE honor celebrates Academic Achievement and Student Growth.
Royal Live Oaks Academy (Jasper County) also earned a Palmetto Silver Award.
Lowcountry Leadership Charter School (Charleston County) increased their points in the Accountability Model at every level from 2023 to 2024. Additionally, the school moved from an Average overall rating to a Good rating.
Finally, Libertas Academy Boiling Springs (Spartanburg County) performed in the top 10% across the state in ELA and the top 25% in Mathematics. The school is also outperforming the local school district with a larger percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations on the ELA and Mathematics assessments.
“At the Institute, we look at data as an improvement tool,” said Naomi Morgan, the Institute’s Chief of Accountability and School Performance. “Whether it’s hosting data meetings for schools or analyzing report card ratings, the School Improvement Team at the Institute sees the value in using data-driven analyses to help school leaders and teachers provide the right supports to the right students.”
“Institute leadership is excited to celebrate these achievements with our school leaders and teachers. These successes are the product of the hard work of many people. We see opportunities for continuing and we will continue to work with and support our school leaders and teachers to expand their academic excellence,” said Superintendent Runyan.
*Superintendent Cameron Runyan and Chief of Accountability and School Performance Naomi Morgan are available for interviews to discuss assessment results. Those interested should contact [email protected].
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The Charter Institute at Erskine is the fastest-growing school district in South Carolina. Serving 26 schools and 28,000 students across the state, the Charter Institute at Erskine is committed to innovative, creative, high-quality methods of education. For more information about the Institute, please visit www.erskinecharters.org.
