Walterboro, SC – Libertas Academy Colleton has been voted the #1 school in Colleton County in the Press & Standard’s 2025-2026 Best of the Best Awards, a community-voted recognition celebrating outstanding local organizations and leaders. School Director Destiny Grant was also honored as one of the top principals in the same awards.
This recognition is especially meaningful as Libertas Academy Colleton is in its very first year of operation. The school currently serves 250+ students in grades PK4 through 4th in a temporary campus in partnership with Faith Walterboro and has already established itself as a strong academic and community partner in Walterboro and the surrounding area.
“We are incredibly honored by this recognition,” said School Director Grant. “From day one, our goal has been to partner with our families and community to build a school that challenges students, supports them, and helps shape the next generation of American citizens. To be named the top school by our own community in our first year shows what is possible when families, teachers, and students work together with a shared purpose.”
Libertas Academy Colleton is preparing for its next phase of growth. The school will move into its permanent Walterboro campus at 301 Smith Street and expand to serve 500+ students in grades PK4 through 6th next year, with plans to scale through 8th grade in the coming years. The expansion reflects strong family demand and the school’s commitment to providing a high-quality, tuition-free public education option for families.
“Being named the top school by community vote in our first year speaks volumes about the dedication of the Libertas team and the trust families have placed in the school,” said Keith Coones, Board Chair for Libertas Academies. “Libertas was founded on the belief that every child in this community deserves access to an excellent education close to home. This recognition reaffirms that the school is already making a meaningful impact, and we are just getting started.”
Since opening, Libertas Academy Colleton has focused on strong academics, character development, and building close partnerships with families and local organizations. The Best of the Best recognition highlights not only early academic momentum, but also the school’s deep connection to and investment in the Colleton County community.
Libertas Academy Colleton extends its gratitude to the families, supporters, and community members who participated in the voting process and continue to champion the school’s mission.
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About Libertas Academy Colleton
Libertas Academy Colleton is a tuition-free public charter school in Colleton County, authorized by the Charter Institute at Erskine and managed by Tutelage School Solutions. For more information about Libertas Academy Colleton, visit www.libertascolleton.education.