Frustration Grows as Ascent Classical Charter School Delays Opening

Frustration Grows as Ascent Classical Charter School Delays Opening

IRMO, S.C. — Parents are experiencing heightened confusion and frustration as Ascent Classical Charter School announced it will not open its doors next month as initially planned due to permit issues. Families are now left to find alternative educational options for their children, with just a month remaining before the school year was supposed to start.

In an email sent over the July 4 weekend, Ascent Classical informed parents that the school will not commence classes on August 8 as scheduled, but instead will wait until the fall of 2025. Nathan Arnold, a parent whose children were slated to attend the school, described his family’s reaction as one filled with “confusion, shock, and frustration.”

This sudden change has left many parents, such as Will King, feeling blindsided. “We had ordered the books and uniforms,” King stated, highlighting the extensive preparations families had made for the coming school year. Now, those plans lie in disarray.

Permit Issues Behind Delay

The school cited permit problems as the reason for the postponement. According to a press release from Ascent Classical, the temporary facility at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, located at 6952 St. Andrews Road, required minor upgrades to ensure it was safe for students. In April, the State Superintendent of Education delegated jurisdiction for the project to the Town of Irmo.

After accepting Ascent’s application for the change of use in early May, the process hit a snag. On June 26, following two months of discussions and plan reviews, the contractor withdrew from the project, claiming it exceeded their contractual obligations with the town. This led to further complications and finally the announcement of the delay.

Town of Irmo Responds

The Town of Irmo released a statement to clarify its position regarding the postponement, dispelling any notion that the town was at fault. The town declared that Ascent Classical Academies, as a public school, falls under the jurisdiction of the South Carolina Department of Education and the Office of School Facilities. The town did not formally request to handle the permitting issues and seeks to clarify their legal stance in the matter.

The statement emphasized that the town is not responsible for inspecting public schools for permits. Although the town’s inspectors showed willingness to discuss entering a separate contract with the Department of Education, the challenges with compliance around traffic, fire code, and ADA accessibility remain unresolved.

Families Left Seeking Alternatives

Many families are now scrambling to find suitable educational alternatives. “Homeschool is out the window. The co-op window has passed,” Arnold expressed, demonstrating the urgency of their situation. Private schooling options seem unfeasible due to costs and distance.

The South Carolina Department of Education responded to the situation, stating that they are engaged in discussions with all parties involved. They remain hopeful that a resolution can be reached to meet the needs of students and families affected by this unexpected delay.

As parents adjust to this news, concerns about their children’s education are at the forefront. With limited options available and an urgent need for clarity, the unfolding situation highlights the challenges posed by administrative processes and the effect on families seeking a stable educational environment.