Ascent Classical Academy Postpones Irmo School Opening to 2025 Due to Permitting Issues
COLUMBIA – A surprising announcement was made on July 3 by Ascent Classical Academies, a Colorado-based charter network that espouses liberal arts education with a focus on the “Western Tradition.” The organization declared that its planned charter school in Irmo, originally set to start for the 2024-25 school year, will be delayed due to unresolved permitting issues. The campus is now forecasted to open in the academic year 2025-26.
Families’ Surprise and Disappointment
The sudden delay in the school’s inauguration caused bewilderment and disappointment among families. “This just seems terrible, not only for our family, but for all of the families that have already made plans,” exclaimed David Smith, an Irmo-based nurse and father of two children who were anticipating becoming Ascent students.
Smith, along with his wife, was attracted to Ascent Classical Academy by its strict cellphone-use policies and academic excellence. Not having informed their daughters about the deferment yet, the Smiths are now urgently hunting for an alternative for the coming academic year after the announcement.
Unexpected Roadblocks
Ascent Classical Academy’s initial strategy was to operate for its first year in a temporary location, the St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, while their permanent campus was being constructed. However, necessary renovations to repurpose the church site for schooling could not proceed due to unacquired permits.
The state department of education attempted to delegate its authority over the renovation project to the town of Irmo, which, unfortunately, neither formally accepted nor declined the responsibility. The town eventually turned down the authority after determining that the work would exceed the terms of its contract with an outside company responsible for conducting permit and inspection tasks. As a result, the academy found themselves without a campus for the academic year of 2024-25.
Commitment to Open Schools
Despite this setback, the Descent Classical Academy remains committed to opening its doors in the 2025-26 academic year at its permanent location on Koon Road in Irmo. The school also plans to open another four locations across South Carolina that are currently authorized by the Charter Institute at Erskine. The startup dates for the Fort Mill location remain unchanged for the 2024-25 academic year, with Charleston and Greenville campuses due to open alongside Irmo in 2025.
The optimistic outlook, coupled with their commitment to providing a distinctive style of education that emphasizes traditional liberal arts learning, gives hopeful parents and students something to look forward to amidst the unexpected delay.
