Academy of Hope board 'deeply disheartened' by property sale stalling

August 29, 2026 - 11:55

The Academy of Hope Board of Directors expressed deep frustration this week after the Horry County Schools Board voted against the charter school's request to extend a property sale agreement. In a public statement, board members said they were "deeply disheartened" by the decision, which stalls their plans to secure a permanent campus for the growing student body.

The charter school had been in negotiations to purchase a parcel of land, with the sale contingent on approval from the county school board. That approval did not come, leaving the Academy of Hope without a clear path forward for its expansion. The board said it intends to appeal the decision, arguing that the denial was not based on educational merit or student needs but rather on procedural concerns that can be resolved.

"We believe the county board overlooked the long-term benefits this purchase would bring to our students and the community," the statement read. "We are not giving up. We will pursue every available option to ensure our school has a stable home."

The Academy of Hope currently operates out of a leased facility, and administrators have warned that without a permanent site, the school's future remains uncertain. Parents and staff have rallied behind the board, with several attending the county meeting to voice support. The appeal process is expected to begin in the coming weeks, though no timeline has been set for a final ruling.