Each new school application cycle begins with a Letter of Intent submitted in November to the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) and the desired authorizer(s). The Charter Institute at Erskine may recruit high-quality operators to come to South Carolina for consideration to open a charter school. Applicants are encouraged to attend, review, and participate in trainings provided by the Charter Institute at Erskine, the South Carolina Department of Education, and the Public Charter School Alliance of South Carolina. The final new charter application is submitted via the SCDE portal and reviewed by the Institute. After receiving a recommendation report for an application, the Charter Institute at Erskine Board of Directors votes to approve or deny the new charter.