After only three years in operation, Cherokee Charter Academy (CCA) has become the highest performing public school in all of Cherokee County. According to the most recent state assessment data, CCA outperformed all other public schools in Cherokee County in overall proficiency ratings, which includes both English/Language Arts (ELA) and math scores. Also, CCA's middle school earned an excellent rating on our 2023 SC school report card, the highest rating possible. CCA is the only middle school in Cherokee County with an excellent rating.
SC READY, South Carolina’s College-and Career-Readiness Assessment, is administered to
students in grades 3-8. Students are tested in areas of ELA and mathematics. In order to be
considered proficient, a student must earn a score of Meets or Exceeds on the SC Ready
Assessment. CCA’s elementary and middle school students achieved the highest overall
proficiency rates in Cherokee County in both ELA and math.
School Leader Jason Byrd says that these gains demonstrate the continued growth of CCA. “It’s a collaborative effort. We couldn't accomplished this without the hard work of our staff and teachers,” Byrd says. “It’s an honor to lead this school and watch the students, faculty, and staff strive for excellence every day. We’re going to continue to grow and succeed as a family.” Byrd accepted the position of School Director in April 2022, and has since emerged as an incredibly impactful school leader.
Back in May of this year, Byrd was recognized by CCA’s statewide authorizer, the Charter Institute at Erskine, as the Rookie of the Year in 2023. Also, back in January of this year, CCA was recognized as a School of Distinction for the elementary school grades outpacing the local traditional public schools in key standardized test scores. This most recent achievement now places CCA as the top overall academic performing public school in all of Cherokee County for both elementary and middle school grades.
"We are incredibly proud of the innovation and excellence that Cherokee Charter Academy is bringing to the Upstate," said CCA Board Chair, AK Parker. This achievement is a credit to the excellent work by the teachers and students in the classroom, along with the strong school leadership at CCA. We are proud that CCA is now the number one performing school in all of Cherokee County. Student achievement is what it is all about and the best has yet to come!"
Cherokee Charter Academy is a 4K-8 tuition-free public charter school that strives to develop the next generation of American citizens by educating the whole child with a classical education. A classical education means a focus on a quality curriculum and instruction, character development, and also a focus on both mental and physical health. Cherokee Charter Academy is authorized by the Charter Institute at Erskine and is managed by Tutelage School Solutions.