Orange Grove Charter to Build Gym by July 2027
The Charleston school plans to finish a new 28,000-square-foot sports facility to serve its growing student body.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Orange Grove Charter School is developing a new gymnasium at 1796 Elm Road in West Ashley. The $10 million project is expected to reach completion by July 2027.
Why it matters
The school currently lacks a gym on its campus and must lease three separate locations for its nine athletic teams. Construction of this facility will centralize operations for the charter school, which receives over 1,300 enrollment applications annually.
The new 28,000-square-foot gymnasium will feature basketball courts, retractable bleachers, an indoor walking track, locker rooms, and concessions. It is located 4.5 miles from the school's elementary campus.
The players
Orange Grove Charter School
This public charter school has operated a middle school campus in a 1963 building since 2015.
The details
The school has owned the construction site for approximately 10 years and is funding the project through budget savings and fundraising. Because South Carolina charter schools cannot levy property taxes, the school must rely on these private funds to complete the facility.
Timeline
Construction is expected to be completed by July 2027.
A sales tax referendum vote is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Culture Shift
The project highlights the evolving fiscal landscape for charter schools in South Carolina, where the prohibition on property tax levies necessitates a shift toward private fundraising for infrastructure. This model positions independent schools against traditional districts that maintain access to public tax streams for capital improvements.
Students will be transported by bus to the new gymnasium for special school-day events once construction is finished. The facility will alleviate the current need for the school to manage leases at three separate locations.
The takeaway
The gymnasium represents a significant expansion of facilities for a school that has historically operated out of older buildings. Local families can anticipate increased access to athletic resources once the project concludes in 2027.
What happens next
A new middle school campus is included in a sales tax referendum scheduled for November 3, 2026, which remains subject to voter approval.
Further reading
For more information on local school development, visit Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Post and Courier.
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