WOODRUFF, S.C.
October 29, 2025
Tutelage School Solutions (TSS), South Carolina’s fastest-growing public charter school network, announced today the successful closing of a $33.8 million public bond offering to finance the construction of Libertas Academy Woodruff’s permanent campus, a milestone that marks both a historic achievement and a strong vote of confidence in Tutelage’s financial and operational excellence.
This accomplishment is particularly significant, as very few start-up charter schools nationwide have ever completed a public market bond sale, a process typically reserved for mature schools with long operating histories. The strong investor response highlights Tutelage’s credibility, disciplined financial management, and consistent record of academic success across its expanding network of schools.
The transaction, underwritten by D.A. Davidson & Co., drew participation from six institutional investors, reflecting robust market confidence in both Tutelage and its mission to deliver high-quality, tuition-free public education for South Carolina families. The offering also secured the most favorable terms ever achieved by a Tutelage-affiliated school, including:
$33,835,000 total bond amount
7.34% True Interest Cost
Proceeds will fund construction of Libertas Academy Woodruff’s permanent 4K–8 campus, which will serve up to 1,000 students at full capacity. The new facility will feature a purpose built environment designed to foster academic excellence and character development through the classical education model.
Additionally, no local tax dollars were used in the acquisition or financing of this property. Because public charter schools are funded solely through state and federal sources, this project creates a new 4K-8th grade public school for the Woodruff community without raising taxes nor requiring a local bond referendum, a true win-win for families in the greater Woodruff area.
“To complete a public market bond offering at this stage of our organization’s growth is an extraordinary accomplishment,” said Tony Helton, CEO of Tutelage School Solutions. “It affirms what we’ve known all along, that excellence, discipline, and a clear vision create investor confidence just as they create academic success. We are proud to demonstrate that high-performing public charter schools can achieve financial credibility and institutional strength on par with well established systems. This partnership allows Libertas Academy Woodruff and Tutelage to develop the next generation of American citizens into future leaders of our great nation.”
“Investor interest remained strong throughout the process,” said Keith Coones, Board Chair of Libertas Academies. “Tutelage’s leadership, financial discipline, and record of academic success made this a highly compelling opportunity for institutional investors. The early achievements of Libertas Academy Boiling Springs, under the leadership of School Director Celina Patton, further reinforced investor confidence and helped make this historic bond possible.”
John Loveday, COO of Tutelage School Solutions added, “The partnership with the City of Woodruff added unique value to the transaction, attracting six major institutional investors—Nuveen, Silvercrest, T. Rowe Price, First Eagle, Columbia, and VanEck. With this transaction, Tutelage School Solutions joins a small and distinguished group of charter management organizations nationwide that have successfully accessed the public bond market, solidifying its standing as a leader in building quality, sustainable public schools that focus on building a culture focused on the academic achievement of its students.”
Celina Patton, the School Director at Libertas Academy Boiling Springs and the upcoming Woodruff campus added, “We plan to bring the same high-quality public school option to the Woodruff community that we have built since 2023 in Boiling Springs. This new school will be a joyful, safe, and supportive learning environment for both students and staff. This is what we call “The Libertas Way.”
Construction of the Woodruff campus is expected to be completed in time for the 2026–2027 school year. Enrollment for the 2026-2027 is set to open in January 2026. Parents are encouraged to fill out an interest form via the school website (www.libertaswoodruff.education) and to enroll as early as possible in January, as a waiting list is anticipated for the inaugural school year and beyond.
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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.”
Picture above: Conceptual drawing of Libertas Academy Woodruff, opening for the 2026-2027 school year
Picture above: (left to right)
Celina Patton, School Director - Libertas Academy Boiling Springs and Woodruff
Ellen Weaver, South Carolina Superintendent of Education
Cameron Runyan, Superintendent - The Charter Institute at Erskine
Keith Coones, Board Chair - Libertas Academies
John Loveday, Chief Operating Officer - Tutelage School Solutions