Charter Schools in Greenville County

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.

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

Offers: 9th-12th grade

Programs: Athletics (Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Softball, Swimming, and Volleyball)

Offers: K5-12th grade; high school students have access to dual credit opportunities.

Curriculum: Utilizes the “Stride K12” curriculum through virtual learning.

Offers: K4-8th grade.

Curriculum: A Chinese/Mandarin language immersion curriculum along with standard education courses.

Offers: 7th-11th grade

Curriculum: STEAM-related coursework involving engineering and energy education. Utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to learning.

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

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)

Offers: 6th-8th grade

Programs: Athletics (Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Volleyball), and Clubs (vary each year based on parent/student interests)

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; Statewide virtual program

Curriculum: Individualized learning plans based on students learning needs.