South Carolina Charter School Replication Application

Purpose and Applicability

This application is intended for an existing South Carolina charter school seeking approval to replicate its established charter school model. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 59-40-40(12), replication means the approval of a new charter school application based on the mission, academic model, instructional program, and operational structure of an existing charter school.​​​​​​

The South Carolina General Assembly directed the South Carolina Department of Education to develop a separate replication application. The application must focus on data and information demonstrating the prior record of the existing school and how that record will be repeated at the replicated school. See S.C. Code Ann. § 59-40-60(H).

Who Should Use This Application?

Use this application when an existing South Carolina charter school seeks approval to establish a new charter school based on the existing school’s mission, academic model, instructional program, and operational structure.

Required use for certain expansions. An existing charter school seeking to expand operations to a location situated more than one mile from its original campus must apply for replication. This requirement does not apply when the charter school is relocating its entire operations from one facility to another. See S.C. Code Ann. § 59-40-60(H).

Eligibility

An existing school is not eligible to apply for replication if it received an overall rating below “Average” on the South Carolina School Report Card at any time during the preceding three years. See S.C. Code Ann. § 59-40-60(H).

Application Focus

Because replication begins with an established charter school model, this application focuses on the existing school’s demonstrated record, the elements that will be replicated, any material differences at the proposed school, and the applicant’s capacity to repeat the existing school’s successful practices and outcomes.

Link to Replication Application