Durham’s Charter School Growth Finds a Long-Term Partner in APG Companies

Jim Anthony, Founder and CEO of APG Companies, is pleased to announce that Global Scholars Academy has leased the 23,550 square foot school building at 1305 West Club Blvd in Durham, North Carolina. With this move, the building, owned by Walltown Partners, welcomes its fourth charter school tenant in the past eight years – a reflection of the rising demand for innovative education options in the region and the growing permanence of charter schools in Durham’s educational landscape.

Anthony, a longtime champion of school choice and educational innovation, acquired the property in 2017 with a clear purpose: to provide a home – and in many cases, a launchpad – for charter schools serving Durham’s diverse communities. That vision has taken root.

“We saw the opportunity to support emerging charter schools with flexible, high-quality space in a central location,” said Anthony. “APG’s mission is to put God’s gifts to work by building people and places for better lives. Our work with charter and private schools is a direct reflection of that mission.”

The legacy of 1305 West Club Blvd as a charter school incubator speaks for itself:

• Institute for the Development of Young Leaders (IDYL) opened in the building and later expanded into a redeveloped, customized facility at 4300 South Miami Blvd. near RTP – a project acquired and developed specifically for the school by APG affiliate, Miami Partners LLC.  https://www.idylschool.org
• Discovery Academy leased the site for three years while growing into its current consolidated campus in North Durham, at 501 Orange Factory Road.  https://www.voyageracademy.net
• Durham Charter School used the property during a three-year period of expansion and has recently relocated to its newly built campus in North Durham, at Kemp Road and Hwy 98.  https://www.durhamcharternc.org

Now, Global Scholars Academy brings its 16-year legacy to the West Club Blvd property. Formerly located at 311 Dowd Street, the K–8 school is known for its strong academic programming and community commitment. As part of the lease agreement, Global Scholars has secured the right to purchase the property, positioning the school for long-term stability and continued impact.  https://globalscholarsacademy.org

The Bigger Picture: Charter School Growth Across North Carolina

Global Scholars Academy’s move reflects a much broader wave transforming North Carolina’s education landscape. Since the state lifted its cap on charter schools in 2011, the number of charters has more than doubled – from 99 to 209 statewide as of the 2023–24 school year. Another eight schools are in the pipeline to open in 2025 and 2026. Charter enrollment has climbed past 153,000 students, representing more than 10% of all public-school students in the state.

Despite this expansion, demand continues to outpace supply. More than 74,000 students are currently on charter school waitlists across North Carolina, underscoring the urgent need for suitable educational facilities – particularly in fast-growing metro areas like the Triangle.

Durham County itself has mirrored this trend, with charter school enrollment more than doubling over the past decade. Charter students now make up roughly 18% of the county’s total public-school population, reshaping the local education ecosystem.

APG Companies is uniquely positioned to support this growth – offering not only space but comprehensive advisory, redevelopment, and property management services tailored to mission-driven educational institutions. Charter schools are here to stay. As Durham’s educational landscape evolves, APG remains a trusted partner for schools building better futures for all of their students.

For more information about Global Scholars Academy, visit https://globalscholarsacademy.org/.

To learn more about APG Companies, contact MJ Parker, Director of Marketing and Research, mjparker@apgcre.com, or visit www.apgcre.com.