A new school has joined the Kershaw County education landscape. Horse Creek Academy–Kershaw, a public charter school, opened its doors in August 2025 and has already enrolled 240 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
The school is a sister campus to Horse Creek Academy in Aiken, one of South Carolina’s earliest charter schools founded in 2002. The new Camden location marks the first replication of its kind in the state, with plans to expand one grade level per year and grow enrollment to 500 students in 2026–27.
“This has been three years in the making,” said Dr. Ann Marie Taylor, Chief Vision Officer (CVO) and HCA Lead Learner of Horse Creek Academy in Aiken and a mentor to the Kershaw leadership team. “We knew there was interest from families in this area, and it’s exciting to see Kershaw County parents have another choice in public education.”
What Is a Charter School?
Charter schools in South Carolina are tuition-free public schools, open to all students in the state. They are funded by state and federal dollars, but not by local tax revenue.
Horse Creek Academy–Kershaw operates under the Limestone Charter Association, Taylor said. Like all public schools, it employs certified teachers, follows state standards, and administers the same assessments.
Families apply during an open enrollment period in January, and seats are filled by a lottery in February. Students are not selected by hand. “It’s important for people to know that we’re tuition-free, public, and open to all South Carolina residents,” said Taylor.
There are differences from traditional schools. Charter schools do not provide bus transportation, and HCA Kershaw does not operate a cafeteria, though snacks and pre-packaged items are available. Parents provide lunches and transportation.
A Different Leadership Model
What sets Horse Creek apart is how the school is operated. Administrators also teach, and decisions are made through what the school calls “collective leadership.”
“I didn’t go into leadership because I wanted to leave the classroom,” said Joanna Eichelberger, the lead learner, or principal, of HCA Kershaw. “My heart is still in teaching. Collective leadership lets me stay connected to students while also shaping the system as a whole.”
Eichelberger explained that the approach ensures teachers have a voice in decisions, from schedules to instruction. “We want a true village mentality,” she said. “That means hearing from our teachers and families before we make big decisions. It’s not about everyone getting their way, but about everyone being heard.”
Taylor, who developed the model in Aiken, said it has been a game-changer. “We don’t hold traditional faculty meetings,” she said. “We use podcasts and masterclasses so teachers can use their time more effectively. We’ve found it creates stronger trust and better results for kids.”
Building a Community “Village”
HCA leaders emphasize the school’s culture as much as its academics. Each family is asked to contribute 15 service hours per year, which can mean volunteering at events, donating supplies, or helping with activities.
Sarah Morris, chief communications officer for Horse Creek Academy, said the goal is to create a partnership between the school and the community. “At Horse Creek, we talk a lot about being a village,” she said. “We want families to feel immediately connected and to know their voices matter. That sense of belonging is what makes the difference.”
Morris said the foundation that supports both campuses also works to connect the schools with local organizations. In Aiken, Horse Creek has partnered with chambers of commerce, tourism boards, and small businesses to bring real-world opportunities to students. “We’d love to see the same kind of partnerships here in Camden,” she said.
Families Respond
So far, families have welcomed the new option. At the school’s first open house in September, parents packed classrooms to meet teachers and see students’ work.
“I’ve already had families tell me their child feels calmer here,” Eichelberger said. “For some students who struggled with anxiety in other settings, the smaller classes and flexible approach have been a good fit.”
Classes at HCA Kershaw are capped at about 19 students. The school currently has 17 teachers, including special education and related arts.
Looking Ahead
The long-term vision is to build a permanent facility in Camden and eventually offer grades K-12, just as the Aiken campus now does. Plans for a new state-of-the-art building are already underway, Taylor said.
“This isn’t about competing with the school district,” Taylor said. “It’s about giving families another option and piloting a different way to lead schools. If it works here, it could work in other communities too.”
Enrollment for the 2026–27 school year will open in January, with the lottery in February. Parents can learn more on the Horse Creek Academy-Kershaw website or by visiting the Camden campus, located on Malvern Hill Drive in Camden.
