An HBCU-authorized public charter school, located in Columbia, SC, has announced an August 2027 opening date after the city approved a zoning exception for the project.
C.R. Neal Academy would reportedly be the first public charter school in the country authorized by a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), WLTX 19 News reports. The school will sit at the 2600 and 2700 blocks of Atlas Road.
City documents indicate the proposed 41,000-square-foot facility would replace a community center and grass field currently on the property.
Bible Way Church, which sits nearby and owns a portion of the site, has backed the project, with Pastor Darrell Jackson saying the church views the school as a positive addition to the community.
Inside The Country’s First HBCU Charter School
C.R. Neal Academy will be tuition-free and emphasize science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, according to the school’s website.
“Our founding career pathways are in STEM fields including health sciences, advanced manufacturing, and information technology,” the website states. “Not because those are the only careers worth having, but because they are among the most demanding fields a student can learn in.”
The institution plans to launch with 130 sixth-grade and 130 ninth-grade students, serving an estimated 260 students during its first year, per its website. As the school expands, it aims to enroll more than 900 students in grades 6 through 12 by its fourth year, according to WLTX 19 News.
“Every graduate leaves with a college acceptance in one hand and a job offer in the other. The choice between them is theirs to make,” the website adds.
Voorhees University’s Charter Institute of Learning authorized C.R. Neal Academy and will oversee the school’s academic and financial performance. The Rooted School Foundation, a nonprofit organization, will provide partial funding.
According to the Rooted School South Carolina Founding Committee Meeting Agenda, the school had identified 266 prospective-family leads in its enrollment pipeline as of September 2026. The school is working to move interested families from initial outreach to applications and, ultimately, enrollment.
The school also plans to expand its community presence through events, faith-based organizations, local partners, and direct family outreach, its website notes. With applications set to open Oct. 28 for the 2027-2028 school year, the immediate focus is on turning existing interest into applications while continuing to build awareness among prospective families.
