There are 45 charter schools across the state and two operational in Horry County. Palmetto Academy of Learning and Success or PALS opened in 2010.
Several votes came out of the Horry County Board of Education meeting Monday night about new and existing charter schools.
There are 45 charter schools across the state and two operational in Horry County. Palmetto Academy of Learning and Success or PALS and Bridgewater Academy. PALS opened in 2010, Bridgewater in 2003.
Tonya Mueller says she often answers questions about PALS, where she sends her 12-year-old daughter.
"I get a questioned a lot of times, 'Is that a private school?' 'How much does it cost?' 'Is there bus transportation?" she says.
The two schools are funded by the state. Horry County Schools sponsors their charter, meaning parents don't pay tuition for students to go there. The schools must have a specific mission of sorts, known as their charter. Bridgewater Academy's principal Steve Wilson said their mission must meet or exceed public schools. Both of these charter schools say their very low student to teacher ratios, 17 to one at Bridgewater Academy, is what makes them exceed.
Parents at Monday's meeting in support of PALS said they like the small class size.
"My philosophy on education is based on more of a tutoring style and having my children do more of a hands on," Talli Sailer said.
"As a parent, I can walk in and I can peek in my daughter's classroom and know what she's doing," Mueller said.
The board voted to approve renewing Bridgewater Academy's charter. They also authorized a new charter school, Hope Academy. Plus, they voted to clarify what parents in the district can do if they have a complaint about the charter school their child is attending, giving the Horry County School District office and board the ultimate oversight.
