Charter Schools
Looking for a list of Charter Schools in the Upstate? Here are the Charter Schools operating in Greenville and Spartanburg counties.
East Link Academy, opened in 2018 in Greenville, SC, is a tuition-free public charter school serving students in kindergarten through grade 8. Its mission is to prepare students to be language and cultural links between the West and East, achieved through rigorous academics aligned with state standards and a Mandarin immersion program that splits instruction evenly between English and Mandarin in grades K–5.
East Link outperforms district and state averages, earning “excellent” state report card ratings and top-ranking distinctions on Niche – #4 charter elementary and #5 charter middle school in South Carolina.
- Grades: Kindergarten through 8th grade | Tuition-free public charter school
- Language: English and Mandarin immersion – 50/50 split in grades K–5 | Continued Mandarin development in middle school
- Academics: Math, science, social studies, and language arts aligned with SC state standards | Small class sizes and low student-teacher ratio | Hands-on learning approach
- Pro Tip: East Link is currently enrolling – a lottery is used when demand exceeds capacity, so visit eastlinkacademy.org and apply early.
Is East Link Academy really tuition-free? Yes! East Link is a public charter school, meaning there is no tuition. Enrollment is open to all families, with a lottery system used when applications exceed available spots.
What does the Mandarin immersion program look like? In grades K–5, instruction is split evenly between English and Mandarin. In middle school, students continue rigorous academics alongside ongoing Chinese language development, building true bilingual proficiency over time.
Best For: Families seeking a high-performing, tuition-free Mandarin immersion education from kindergarten through 8th grade in Greenville
Location: 78 Global Drive, Greenville, SC
Website: eastlinkacademy.org
We love Spartanburg Prep! They really tailor the curriculum to suit the individual needs of each student and the staff is so warm and welcoming! My daughter has really thrived this year in kindergarten!
The faculty and staff are so quick to respond to any questions or concerns that I have. Just recently I emailed the principal and she emailed me back within an hour. She really does care deeply about her students. I love the community that Spartanburg Prep has. It feels like a family. I love that the classes are divided up by gender. My daughter is in an all girl's class for most of her day...They also have a wonderful gifted and talented student program.
We absolutely love Spartanburg Preparatory School. Since day one we have been welcomed as family. Every single adult at the school cares for the emotional, educational, and physical well being of the students. The abundant extracurricular activities allow for every student who desires enrichment to find their niche. Chess club, Beta club, soccer, cross country, basketball and more are offered at SPS. As an SPS parent, I am an active part of my children’s education thanks to the wonderful lines of communication.
Brashier Middle College
864.757.1800 | 1830 West Georgia Road, Building #203, Simpsonville, SC
Offers: 9th-12th grade
Programs: Athletics (Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Softball, Swimming, and Volleyball)
Cyber Academy of South Carolina
864.236.4006 | 330 Pelham Road, Suite 101, Greenville, SC
Offers: K5-12th grade; high school students have access to dual credit opportunities.
Curriculum: Utilizes the “Stride K12” curriculum through virtual learning.
East Link Academy
864.775.1733 | 78 Global Drive Suite 200, Greenville, SC
Offers: K4-8th grade.
Curriculum: A Chinese/Mandarin language immersion curriculum along with standard education courses.
GREEN Charter School - Upper Campus
864.241.0151 | 211 Century Drive, Greenville, SC
Offers: 7th-11th grade
Curriculum: STEAM-related coursework involving engineering and energy education. Utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to learning.
GREEN Charter School- Lower Campus
864.288.4134 | Multiple Locations, Greenville / Spartanburg, SC
Offers: K5-6th grade
Programs: STEAM energy and engineering curriculum. They also offer athletics (Basketball, Cheer Leading, Cross Country, Football, Soccer, and Weighlifting).
Lower School Locations: Greenville & Spartanburg
Greenville Technical Charter High School
864.250.8844 | 506 S Pleasantburg Drive, Bldg 119, Greenville, SC
Offers: 9th-12th grade; dual enrollment with Greenville Technical College.
Programs: Clubs (Acapella, Culture, Drama, Drone, Future Business Leaders of America, Future Physicians, Garden, HOSA, National Beta, National Honor Society, Pit Orchestra, Red Cross, Robotics, SAT Prep, Speech and Debate, Spirit Council, Student Government, Students in Action, Tree Huggers Recycling Team, and Youth Government) and Athletics (Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Track & Field, Volleyball)
Lakes and Bridges Charter School
864.442.5580 | 1600 East Main Street, Easley, SC
Offers: 1st-8th grade
Curriculum: Multi-sensory curriculum that works with children with Dyslexia/SLD.
Langston Charter Middle School
864.286.9700 | 1950 Woodruff Road, Greenville, SC
Offers: 6th-8th grade
Programs: Athletics (Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Volleyball), and Clubs (vary each year based on parent/student interests)
Offers: K5-8th grade
Programs: Spanish, Music/Chorus, Band, Art, Business Technology, and Sports (cross country, soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, dance/cheerleading)
Legacy Early College
864.248.0646 | 900 Woodside Avenue, Greenville, SC
Offers: K4-12th grade
Programs: Music classes, Physical Education classes, Individualized learning plan. Higher grade level students are able to Duel Enrollment college credit that they can carry with them to university.
Offers: K5-12th grade
South Carolina Virtual Charter School
803.253.6222 | 2023 Platt Springs Road, Columbia, SC
Offers: K5-12th grade; Statewide virtual program
Curriculum: Individualized learning plans based on students learning needs.
Youth Leadership Academy
864.898.4511 | 698 Concord Church Road, Pickens, SC
Offers: 6th – 8th grade
Curriculum: small group classes; Math, Science, English Language Arts, Social Studies, Physical Education, and Leadership. Physical activity and extracurriculars are woven into the curriculum.
Anderson Five Charter School
864.260.5538 | 1225 South McDuffie Street, Anderson, SC
Offers: 9th – 12th grade
Curriculum: Non-traditional education programs
Belton Preparatory Academy
864.392.1173 | 5901 Belton Highway, Belton, SC
Offers: K5 – 5th grade (an additional grade level will be added each year until 8th grade)
Curriculum: Classical curriculum with an educational focus on entrepreneurship.
Offers: K – 12th grade
Curriculum: STEAM curriculum along with an applied learning style. Athletic programs include Basketball, Baseball, Cross Country, Soccer, Softball, Wrestling, and Volleyball.
The South Carolina Preparatory Academy
866.994.4561 | 1650 East Greenville Street Suite H, Anderson, SC
Offers: 6th – 11th grade
Curriculum: Online public charter school. Flexible scheduling. Dual enrollment is offered. Full course offering for South Carolina diploma. Courses in education, business, and medical are offered.
Summit Academy is proud to be at the forefront of educational innovation where instruction is all virtual, provided by our Summit teachers. There are monthly in-person experiences, which include a mix of culture and relationship building activities, collaboration with peers, leadership opportunities, and regular field trips across SC.
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