Public Schools of Innovation Bill Becomes Law–Signed At MSA-Spartanburg

August 4, 2021

GoUpstate: Bob Montgomery

Gov. Henry McMaster used Meeting Street Academy Spartanburg as a backdrop Monday to ceremonially sign into a law a bill that expands local control over schools of choice.

“This is a great day for Spartanburg, but it’s also a great day for the state and maybe even a great day beyond that, because if people see what can be done, their imaginations will be stirred, doors are opened, children’s lives are changed,” McMaster said.

McMaster was joined by state lawmakers and Meeting Street educators as he signed the Schools of Innovation bill that passed the General Assembly last week with bipartisan support.

Public/private schools re-designated

Meeting Street Academy Spartanburg opened in 2012 in downtown Spartanburg and in 2016 joined Spartanburg School District 7 to become a public/private school serving more than 300 students in pre-K 3 through 5th grade.

The bill, H 3589, re-designates public/private schools of choice as “schools of innovation,” and allows school districts to create multiple schools of innovation that can request exemptions from certain state laws that apply to public schools.

According to a draft version of the bill, school boards with two-thirds approval must specify how the exemption will support academic achievement. The State Board of Education must then approve with two-thirds’ support.

2020:McMaster praises success of Meeting Street Academy

Currently, schools of choice such as Meeting Street Academy are able to set their own school calendar, class sizes and proficiency-based learning models.

Allison: More flexibility at local level

State Rep. Rita Allison, R-Lyman, a bill sponsor, said the legislation aims to provide more flexibility to local school districts “as they strive to support the diversity, the diverse needs of our students in this state.”

Allison said the majority of students who attend Meeting Street Academy come from low-income backgrounds. She said the school is ranked one of the top achieving schools in the state.

“The change in H 3589 is going to allow all of our districts the flexibility to offer additional innovative educational opportunities to our students … to serve the particular needs of the school and more-so of the students,” Allison said.

Allison noted Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the bill.

After the ceremony, state Rep. Rosalyn Henderson-Myers, D-Spartanburg, said she voted for it because it helps provide equal opportunity for all students to succeed, regardless of their background.

“I see the public-private partnership in action and it has helped children who would not otherwise be able to excel,” she said. “These children (at Meeting Street Academy) are being supported and encouraged to be the best they can be. This is a beacon of light in our community.”

Also speaking at Monday’s ceremony were Jeff Stevens, superintendent of Spartanburg School District Seven, and Kyndran Hilton, principal of the Meeting Street Academy Spartanburg.

“Meeting Street Academy is certainly a shining example of what can be accomplished when we’re able to think freely and differently about how we educate our children,” Stevens said.

“Pushing the envelope of innovation through partnerships engrained in our district, we are committed to providing the opportunity for every student to achieve their full potential.”

 

Make A DifferenceJoin Us!

Join a community of incredible, passionate people working to change the lives of our students. Our compensation and benefits are a cut above the rest: the most competitive total compensation in the region.

Start Your Career!

About Meeting Street Schools

Meeting Street Schools (MSS) is an innovative non-profit where schools, families, and the community collaborate to create environments where all children can achieve their full potential. With a network of schools across South Carolina, including MSA-Charleston (Charleston, SC), MSA-Spartanburg (Spartanburg, SC), MS-Brentwood (North Charleston, SC), MS-Burns (North Charleston, SC), and MS-Jasper & Beaufort (Jasper, SC), we are committed to providing students with the rigorous education they deserve.

Founded on the principle that every child deserves an excellent education regardless of their socio-economic background, Meeting Street Schools has been a beacon of hope and a testament to what's possible in education. Our schools are driven by a strong focus on student achievement, evidence-based instruction, and relentless support of our students and their families.

While united by our shared mission, each MSS campus, is unique in its character, tapping into the local spirit of the communities they serve. Explore each of our schools and discover how they're creating a brighter future for students in South Carolina.

News & NotesHow a cafeteria team nourished families affected by Hurricane Helene

Read More

Our Schools

Meeting Street Academy – CharlestonDowntown Charleston, SC - Independent School - Since 2008 - 364 Students

Nestled in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, MSA Charleston is more than just a school—it’s a hub for innovative learning and community engagement. As part of the Meeting Street Schools network, MSA Charleston embodies a commitment to excellence through its rigorous academic programs, inclusive culture, and focus on developing the whole child. With a curriculum that emphasizes both academic and personal growth, MSA Charleston prepares students to be curious learners and active citizens of their community.

Meeting Street Academy – SpartanburgDowntown Spartanburg, SC - Public Charter School - Since 2012 - 323 Students

Meeting Street Academy – Spartanburg is as a pillar of educational innovation in the Spartanburg community. The school’s dedicated educators and supportive learning environment ensure that each child receives a high-quality, personalized education with exceptional faculty and teachers. The Academy is distinguished by its emphasis on community partnership, fostering relationships that extend beyond the classroom to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.

Meeting Street – BrentwoodNorth Charleston, SC - Public School - Since 2014 - 850 Students

Meeting Street – Brentwood is a place where education meets opportunity. Serving the Brentwood area, this neighborhood Public School of Innovation is a testament to the transformative power of education. With a student-centered approach that celebrates diversity and encourages excellence, Meeting Street – Brentwood is dedicated to equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. Meeting Street – Brentwood also serves as a hub for the Brentwood community to access educational and wellness services. The school’s commitment to innovation, coupled with a warm, welcoming environment, makes it a standout in the Meeting Street Schools network.

Meeting Street – BurnsNorth Charleston, SC - Public School - Since 2018 - 478 Students

Located in a community rich with history and culture, Meeting Street – Burns is renowned for its dynamic educational approach that intertwines traditional learning with modern teaching techniques. The school’s focus on experiential learning ensures that students at Meeting Street – Burns are not only recipients of knowledge but also active participants in their educational journey. The school exists to spark an educational revolution for the students and families in the Dorchester-Waylyn Neighborhood in North Charleston. With a commitment to creating a supportive and challenging academic environment, Meeting Street – Burns is forging a new path in public education.

Meeting Street – Jasper & BeaufortJasper County, SC - Public Charter School - Fall 2023 -

Meeting Street – Jasper & Beaufort represents Meeting Street Schools’ dedication to community-based education with a global perspective. The school provides a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to explore their potential and cultivate a love for learning. With its diverse programs such as Eureka Math, and Wit and Wisdom, Meeting Street – Jasper & Beaufort puts a major emphasis on character development, specialized learning and equips students to become thoughtful, engaged members of society, reflecting the Meeting Street ethos of empowerment through education.

CommunityVoices

  • 1/3

“We come into work everyday truly believing that our students are capable of achieving anything that is put in front of them. Here at MSS, students are provided the opportunity to achieve success through the facilitation of well-educated teachers, resources, and a responsive classroom school environment.”

— NikToshia GilesTeacher

  • 2/3

“Meeting Street Academy is my family. They taught me that I am valuable. I am an asset to the world…They asked me, ‘What is your dream?’ I had never been asked that before. The MSS community gives me the strength to pursue my dreams.”

— Kadelyn SteedStudent

  • 3/3

“MSA is a family. Once you’re in, you’re in. They said they would follow our kids from K-3 to college and they actually lived up to what they said they would do. Not only did MSA challenge my daughter academically but it also exposed her to new things that she probably wouldn’t have been exposed to at our previous neighborhood school. Our journey at MSA was exciting and rewarding. They actually walk the walk.”

— Tyeka GrantParent

Follow us!