Dr. Tom Barton decided to replicate the successful Greenville Tech Charter High School with a similar school on the Brashier campus. Another charter school was needed because GTCHS had a waiting list for student applicants. A study group met for the first time on October 11, 2004. A small writing committee submitted a Planning and Implementation Grant in January 2005. The committee received the grant of $420,000: $20,000 for planning, $200,000 for the first year the charter school opened, and another $200,000 in year two. The committee then submitted a lengthy charter application, which was approved by the State Department of Education and unanimously by the Board of Trustees for the Greenville County School District in June 2005.
In February 2006, the Planning Committee was informed that the space on Brashier campus would no longer be available to Brashier Middle College Charter High School because the School District asked that their Middle College (partnership between Greenville School District and Greenville Tech) be located on this site. The Planning Committee, with an approved charter for a school in hand, moved forward to open the school at another location. The school name continues to be Brashier Middle College Charter High because it is incorporated under that name.
In March 2006, representatives of the Planning Committee located an available site: Allen Temple Community Development Center, 404 Vardry St. The school’s attorney negotiated an acceptable one-year renewal lease. The school opened in August 2006 with 100 freshmen and will add a new class each year, with a maximum of 400 students. Dr. Barton has assured the Planning Committee that Brashier Middle College Charter High School will have the same resources, benefits, and privileges enjoyed by Greenville Tech Charter High School.
In April 2006, the Planning Committee held a press conference to announce the opening of the downtown school, began the search for a principal, held an Open House, and began taking applications for attendance. Students who would be interested in Brashier Middle College Charter High School are those who want a small learning community with individualized learning plans. Students can begin taking classes at Greenville Tech as early as tenth grade (with special permission) in preparation for a certificate or associate degree.
The Planning Committee has petitioned to amend its charter to reflect the relocation of the high school from the Brashier Campus to the Allen Temple CDC. The amendment was requested by the Greenville County School District. This amendment was approved. The school moved to its permanent site at the Brashier Campus of Greenville Technical College during July 2007.
