06/19/2026
30 years ago, South Carolina took a bold step toward expanding educational opportunities for students and families.
On June 18, 1996, Governor David Beasley signed the SC Charter Schools Act into law, creating new pathways for innovation, choice, and student-centered learning across our state.
Today, more than 100 public charter schools serve nearly 70,000 students, providing diverse educational opportunities that help meet the unique needs of families and communities.
As we celebrate this milestone, we honor the visionary leaders, educators, parents, students, policymakers, and advocates who helped make the charter school movement possible. We are especially grateful to Governor Beasley for his leadership and for helping launch a movement that continues to transform lives three decades later.
