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As summer vacation winds down and kids get ready to head back to class, charter school options are growing in South Carolina.  Tuesday night a state commission approved a Charter High School in Richland Two.  Now there's an effort to bring an elementary charter school to the same district. 

"This gives them a clear cut direction how to be an active part of their child's future and how to make their child a success," said Michael Letts.

Letts is hoping to establish the Hope Charter Academy in Northeast Columbia.  He says the school would offer parents the chance to take charge of their child's education.

Officials are chartering an idea on how to turn an open area into a school.  They're hopeful by 2010 those throughout the Midlands will see the full picture on how the unique school can offer unique opportunities.

"The flexibility with Charter schools gives teachers the ability to do things in smaller environments that they wouldn't normally have the opportunity to do in the traditional classroom," said Hope Charter Committee Member Stephen Gilchrist.

It includes smaller class sizes, which means fewer students per teacher.  An idea that thrills many parents.

"They get more intimate one-on-one time with the teacher," said parent Brandy Schaefer.  "And I think that helps the children grow."

"With the schools being so crowded this gives us an opportunity to get out there and get more in charge," said parent Cathy Scothorn.

Joel Medley of the South Carolina Department of Education, has been a Charter School teacher and principal.  He knows proper planning determines whether the school makes the grade or ultimately fails.

"If they don't plan properly for their student enrollments they decrease," said Medley.  "And if you don't have the numbers your budget becomes affected, which compromises your program and it continues a downward spiral."

"The parents have to be a part," said Letts.

The Charter School advisory committee goes before the Richland Two School Board on Tuesday looking for approval to move forward with the proposed elementary school plans.