Cherokee Charter Academy (CCA) has successfully received $1,352,884.02 in federal funding dedicated to supporting the retention of high-quality teachers and staff, a significant milestone that strengthens the school’s long-term stability and continued academic excellence.
The funding, made available through a federal program designed to support non-profit organizations during the COVID-pandemic, allowed the school to retain experienced and highly effective teachers and staff during an unprecedented period for public education.
In late 2023, Tutelage School Solutions worked closely with Cherokee Charter Academy to collect and prepare all required documentation related to the school’s eligibility. The claim, officially submitted in January 2024, covered multiple quarters of 2021.
As part of its commitment to supporting partner schools, Tutelage covered all administrative costs associated with preparing and submitting the claim. Tutelage also received no financial benefit from the funding, viewing the effort as an additional service provided to support CCA’s mission and financial health.
Following an extended period of limited activity at the federal level, Tutelage intensified its advocacy efforts in the spring of 2025, working directly with federal stakeholders to help move the process forward. Eventually, the first portion of funding was received in May 2025, with the remaining payments finalized in January 2026.
In total, Cherokee Charter Academy received $1,352,884.02. All funds were received directly by CCA and will be used to further support educators, staff, and school operations.
“This funding represents more than a financial win, it reflects a shared commitment to valuing the educators and staff who make student success possible,” said Brad Teague, the school director at Cherokee Charter Academy.
The Board Chair at Cherokee Charter Academy, AK Parker, added, "We continue to be grateful for our partnership with Tutelage School Solutions. They show up each and every day and work for the betterment of our school and the students that we serve."
Tony Helton, CEO of Tutelage School Solutions shared, “We are proud to advocate for our schools each and every day, in order to ensure they receive every resource available to support their team members and their mission. This is what we do for each of our partnering schools and we celebrate this historic financial win with Cherokee Charter Academy.”
Tutelage congratulates the Cherokee Charter Academy Board, leadership, and community on this achievement and remains committed to standing alongside its partner schools to navigate complex processes and deliver meaningful results for students and families.
###
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.”