LANCASTER, S.C. (December 10, 2025) - Cogito Academy, a tuition-free public charter school serving students across Lancaster County, South Carolina, held a groundbreaking ceremony this morning for its permanent facility. The school, which first opened in August 2025, is currently operating out of a temporary location.
The permanent facility is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2026 and will open for the 2026–2027 school year. Once finished, it will be the most state-of-the-art educational facility in Lancaster County. The construction is being funded by a $31.5 million bond secured entirely through state funding, without raising local taxes.
The ceremony opened with a welcome by Tony Helton, Founder & CEO of Tutelage School Solutions, an education management organization based out of the Carolinas that supports Cogito Academy.
"Tutelage School Solutions is incredibly proud of Cogito Academy and all they've accomplished in serving students and families since opening their doors earlier this year," Helton said. "This facility underscores the importance of delivering an exceptional, classical education to the children of Lancaster County, focusing on academic excellence and strong character development. We look forward to seeing the bright futures this new facility will foster as Cogito Academy helps develop the next generation of American citizens.”
Helton’s welcome was followed by a prayer led by the Rev. Dr. Jessie Adams, a pastor at Pleasant Dale Baptist Church, which currently hosts the temporary facility, and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Cogito Academy students. School Director for Cogito Academy Jason Cole spoke next about the school's future and thanked the community for its warm welcome.
"Today is a momentous day for Cogito Academy and the Lancaster community. Since opening this year, our students and staff have achieved so much," Cole said. "Breaking ground on this new facility marks the next chapter for Cogito Academy, and we are deeply grateful for the incredible welcome and support we’ve received from the Lancaster community as we strive to deliver the highest quality education to our students."
Cogito Academy is authorized by the Charter Institute at Erskine. Cameron Runyan, CEO and Superintendent of the Charter Institute at Erskine, followed Cole’s remarks with comments highlighting the critical role of education and the importance of offering diverse educational options for students and parents.
"Cogito Academy offers more choices for families while delivering an outstanding education for students in Lancaster County and setting them up for a successful future," Runyan said. "Every child in South Carolina should have the chance to achieve their full potential through an excellent education tailored to their needs, and schools such as Cogito Academy are setting the standard."
The program closed with comments from state Rep. Brandon Newton and state Sen. Allen Blackmon, both strong advocates for education who represent Lancaster in the state legislature. Newton spoke about the significant impact Cogito Academy will have on students in Lancaster County, and Blackmon highlighted how the academy reflects the exciting growth of the region.
Immediately following the program, speakers and key stakeholders took part in the official groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility.
Photos of the event and renderings for the facility can be found here. Photo credits to Tutelage School Solutions.
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About Cogito Academy
Cogito Academy is a tuition-free public charter school that opened for the 2025-2026 school year. Cogito Academy is currently serving students in grades 4K–5 and will expand one grade level each year until reaching full enrollment in grades 4K–8. Rooted in the mission to develop the next generation of American citizens, Cogito Academy delivers a classical education built on a rigorous curriculum, strong character formation, and genuine care for student well-being.
Authorized by the Charter Institute at Erskine and managed by Tutelage School Solutions, Cogito Academy is committed to providing an enriching, purpose-driven educational experience that equips every student for a bright and flourishing future.
About Tutelage School Solutions Tutelage School Solutions (TSS) is an award-winning, comprehensive service provider supporting high-quality public charter schools across South Carolina. TSS assists its partner schools through every phase of development, including: charter application, school design, finance, construction, operations, marketing, and curriculum. Tutelage helps communities build sustainable, high-performing public schools that embody their slogan of: “Higher standards. Brighter futures. Every zip code.”