From Concept to Classroom: A Decade of Partnership with Charter Schools USA

Since 2011, Ryan Companies has partnered with Red Apple Development (Red Apple) and Charter Schools USA (CSUSA)—one of the nation’s largest and highest-performing education management organizations—to deliver more than 60 projects across the Southeast. Many campuses combine multiple schools and athletic facilities, creating comprehensive educational environments that serve entire communities. 

In collaboration with CSUSA’s development partner, Red Apple we’ve created more than 4 million square feet of learning space, serving tens of thousands of students in Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Each school reflects our shared commitment to access, excellence, and lasting community impact, especially in areas where demand for independent public schools is growing. 

And each project is a testament to the trusted relationships we build with our clients every step of the way.

Fast-Tracked Schools. Long-Term Impact. 

CSUSA schools are often built on tight timelines to meet the needs of growing communities. That’s where we come in. 

Leveraging our integrated development, design, and construction approach, we’ve earned a reputation for delivering charter schools in just 10 months—compared to the industry standard of 12 or more. This accelerated delivery saves our partners significant costs while ensuring students and educators have uninterrupted access to the facilities they need. 

“When we start the project, no one believes we can possibly complete the school for the next school year,” said Richard Hargraves, our Project Executive. “But we do. Every time.” 

From initial planning to first-day celebrations, our team works closely with CSUSA to bring each school to life on time and on budget, without compromising on quality or design. 

Classrooms of the Future 

In 2024 alone, our team completed six CSUSA projects—four ground-up builds and two expansions—totaling nearly 400,000 square feet of new and enhanced space.  

These included: 

• Winthrop Charter Preparatory Academy, Riverview, FL 

• Acadiana Renaissance Charter Academy, Youngsville, LA 

• Vermilion Charter Academy, Maurice, LA 

• Summerville Preparatory Academy, Summerville, SC 

• Lafayette Renaissance Charter Academy, Lafayette, LA 

Each facility was designed to foster collaboration and engagement, with flexible classrooms, breakout spaces, science labs, art and music rooms, athletic fields, and black box theaters. Every school is designed with one goal in mind: advancing CSUSA’s mission to deliver exceptional education. 

“With the completion of these four educational facilities, Ryan is expanding its presence in the education sector and solidifying our position as one of the Southeast's top charter school builders,” said Max Bosso, Vice President of Real Estate Development at Ryan. 

Delivering What’s Next 

This fall, thousands of new student seats opened across the Southeast with the completion of three more Charter School USA campuses, delivered in partnership with Red Apple: 

• Discovery School at Myrtle Beach (Conway, SC): A 45,000-SF K-8 campus with open, collaborative spaces, personalized learning plans, and accelerated academic tracks for middle school students, all with a focus on social and emotional development. 
• Vermilion Charter Academy (Maurice, LA): Following the 2024 groundbreaking, the first phase of the new campus opened this year, supporting a STEM-focused curriculum for grades 6–9 and designed to expand by one grade each year through 2030. 
• Lafayette Renaissance Charter Academy Middle School (Lafayette, LA): Building on 2024’s early site work, a 69,000-SF middle school expansion opened this year, adding a gym, track and field, bleachers, concession building, and car-rider loop to a multi-campus complex now serving students from Pre-K through high school. 

 “Our nearly 15-year partnership with Red Apple Development and CSUSA is rooted in trust, performance and shared values,” Bosso said. “These schools provide flexible, future-ready environments where students can thrive—and they reflect both RAD’s and CSUSA’s commitment to long-term community investment.” 

From STEM labs in Vermilion to accelerated academic tracks in Myrtle Beach, each project reflects customized design solutions that serve local needs. And each one underscores our team’s ability to deliver complex developments on time and on budget. 

A Shared Commitment to Educational Equity 

What makes our partnership with CSUSA strong? A shared sense of purpose. 

CSUSA is dedicated to empowering students through choice, access and opportunity. We’re honored to help create the physical spaces that make those opportunities possible. Together with RAD and CSUSA, we have completed nearly 3.2 million square feet of K-12 schools over the past 15 years, strengthening communities across the Southeast through education. 

As enrollment demand grows and new communities seek educational alternatives, our collaboration with CSUSA continues to accelerate. With projects underway in Florida and beyond, including a new Sarasota K-8 school and early learning center, we remain focused on building thoughtfully, strategically and with impact. 

At Ryan, we’re proud to be part of CSUSA’s journey, and we’re even prouder to know our work supports the next generation of learners, leaders and changemakers.