News Summary
Ascent Classical Academy in Irmo, South Carolina, has announced a delay in its opening to the 2025-26 school year due to permitting disputes. This postponement affects around 300 families eager for a new educational environment focused on a liberal arts curriculum. The delay stems from complications with local authorities and fire code compliance issues. Despite this, the school remains hopeful about finding a permanent location on Koon Road and is part of a larger network of classical academies in the state.
Irmo Delays Opening of Ascent Classical Academy Until 2025-26
In a surprising turn of events, the highly anticipated Ascent Classical Academy in Irmo, South Carolina has announced it will delay its opening until the 2025-26 school year. Initially set to welcome students for the 2024-25 academic year, this one-year postponement is primarily due to a permitting dispute with the town of Irmo.
What’s Behind the Delay?
The school was gearing up to provide education for kindergarten through eighth grade students, and about 300 eager families had already committed to enroll their children. In fact, many parents had already taken steps to withdraw their kids from other schools, excited about the new educational opportunities at Ascent Classical Academy.
As part of the preparations, around 25 staff members were hired, with some relocating to South Carolina just to take on these new roles. However, the buzz of excitement has now turned into a bittersweet note as these plans hit roadblocks.
The Permitting Problems
So, what caused this snag? The town’s building inspection contractor, CC&I, withdrew from the permitting process after discovering that the issues they were facing went beyond their contract with the town. This all unfolded after the South Carolina Department of Education unexpectedly designated Irmo as the permitting authority in May.
Interestingly, Irmo officials pointed out that they never formally accepted this new role. They cited legal concerns relating to the additional responsibilities that come with being the permitting authority. During their review of the school’s plans, several factors came to light, including traffic concerns, fire code compliance, and ADA accessibility issues. These points of contention raised serious questions about whether the school’s plans would meet the local standards.
Community Reactions
The news has left many in the community feeling disheartened. Parents and future students were looking forward to a new educational environment that emphasizes a traditional liberal arts curriculum. This curriculum involves not only the study of various subjects but also a focus on virtuous ideas and even learning Latin.
Mayor Bill Danielson of Irmo indicated that typically, the management of public schools is overseen by their designated building management, not local municipalities. This remark highlights the confusion surrounding the responsibilities and roles in the permitting process. Further complicating matters, the town’s permitting company initially accepted the school’s development plans but ultimately determined that the necessary changes would surpass their existing contractual obligations.
Looking Ahead
Despite these hurdles, Ascent Classical Academy is determined to find a permanent home on Koon Road, although they have yet to close the deal on that property. The local community is holding out hope that the school will finally be able to open its doors and offer those much-needed classes to the young minds of Irmo and its surrounding areas.
Ascent Classical Academy is part of a larger network of schools in South Carolina, which are sponsored by the Charter Institute at Erskine College. Future campuses are planned for Fort Mill, Charleston, and Greenville, with openings rolled out through 2025. For families in Irmo, the delay presents a challenge, but the vision of a new educational future is still alive.
The back-and-forth concerning compliance and authority highlights the complex nature of establishing new educational institutions. As parents anxiously wait for updates, they remain hopeful for positive news on the horizon.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Permitting Issues Leave 200 Lexington County Students in Limbo
Ascent Classical Academy Postpones Irmo School Opening to 2025 Due to Permitting Issues
Ascent Classical Academy of Irmo Hires Inaugural Headmaster
Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Ascent Classical Academy Delay
- Lexington Chronicle: Irmo Defends Action on Charter School
- ABC Columbia: School District Five Accepting Kindergarten Registrations
- Wikipedia: Charter School
- The State: Local Education News
- Google Search: Ascent Classical Academy Irmo
Author: STAFF HERE IRMO
The IRMO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIrmo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Irmo, Lexington and Richland Counties, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Irmo Okra Strut Festival, Harbison Community Events, and local sports tournaments at the Palmetto Health Credit Union Foundation Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission and the Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center, plus leading businesses in retail and healthcare that power the local economy such as Village at Sandhill and Lexington Medical Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
