Private High Schools in Greenville Area (Spartanburg, Wade Hampton: transfer, middle school, university)

[JKern]

Hi, we are new to the area and pretty clueless about schools in general. What private schools in the area are good? Also, I did some online searches and it appears that most of them require at least one parent to be devoted Christian. Is this correct? Unfortunately, neither of us are Christian but we are very interested in getting our 15 year old (who was being schooled abroad, just moved into the country) into a good private school to complete his high school. Any guidance will be appreciated!

[gvillesc]

I don't know about requirements to get into the schools, but several of the Private schools that I can think of include:
St Joseph's
Christ Church
Southside Christian
Hampton Park


If you're not all that familiar with schools in the area, I'd suggest checking out some of the public schools. You can find their test scores, and state-issued 'grades' online from the district's webpage, or the state dept of education's. I'm personally not convinced that private schools are worth the money, at least not in an area where great public schools with VERY active PTAs exist... (which is true for the Upstate)

[gvillesc]

Actually, here's some of the leg work for the Public Schools in Greenville County. There's 14 public high schools in Greenville County. The links beside each name takes you to a PDF fact sheet about each school. On that page, various links are provided for you to find out more information about the school, its facilities, programs, and test scores...

It should also be noted that Greenville County Schools is wrapping up a $1 billion school building project that has replaced ALL school buildings over the past 10 years. That's over 90 facilities! So, you're basically guaranteed a building that is no more than 10 years old!

BEREA HIGH SCHOOL http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/gcsd...les/Bereah.pdf
Enrollment: 1,116
% of teachers with Master's degree: 59.2%
Graduates in post-secondary education: 79%

BLUE RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/gcsd...les/bluerh.pdf
Enrollment: 1,218
% of teachers with Master's degree: 67.1%
Graduates in post-secondary education: 87%

CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/gcsd...s/carolina.pdf
Enrollment: 744
% of teachers with Master's degree: 51.6%
Graduates in post-secondary education: 60%

EASTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/gcsd...s/eastside.pdf
Enrollment: 1,258
% of teachers with Master's degree: 64.9%
Graduates in post-secondary education: 98%

GREENVILLE SENIOR HIGH ACADEMY http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/gcsd...s/grvilleh.pdf
Enrollment: 1,378
% of teachers with Master's degree: 60.9%
Graduates in post-secondary education: 86%

GREER HIGH SCHOOL http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/gcsd...les/greerh.pdf
Enrollment: 1,252
% of teachers with Master's degree: 59.3%
Graduates in post-secondary education: 81%

HILLCREST HIGH SCHOOL http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/gcsd...s/hillcrsh.pdf
Enrollment: 2,140
% of teachers with Master's degree: 55.6%
Graduates in post-secondary education: 90%

JL MANN ACADEMY: http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/gcsd...les/jlmann.pdf
Enrollment: 1,490
% of teachers with Master's degree: 57.9%
Graduates in post-secondary education: 84%

MAULDIN HIGH SCHOOL http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/gcsd...s/mauldinh.pdf
Enrollment: 2,157
% of teachers with Master's degree: 54.5%
Graduates in post-secondary education: 90%

RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/gcsd...s/riversdh.pdf
Enrollment: 1,665
% of teachers with Master's degree: 70.2%
Graduates in post-secondary education: 95%

SOUTHSIDE HIGH / CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIEShttp://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/gcsd...es/southsd.pdf
Enrollment: 1,010
% of teachers with Master's degree: 55.9%
Graduates in post-secondary education: 68%
*offers the district's IB program, and the first in South Carolina

TRAVELERS REST HIGH SCHOOL http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/gcsd...les/trrest.pdf
Enrollment: 1,234
% of teachers with Master's degree: 68.7%
Graduates in post-secondary education: 92%

WOODMONT HIGH SCHOOL http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/gcsd.../woodmonth.pdf
Enrollment: 1,612
% of teachers with Master's degree: 56.4%
Graduates in post-secondary education: 73%

WADE HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL http://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/gcsd...les/whampt.pdf
Enrollment: 1,465
% of teachers with Master's degree: 57.8%
Graduates in post-secondary education: 82%

[Jeng27]

My son attends Christ Church and while it is a Christian - Episcopal school there is no requirement for the parents or children to be christian. It is an excellent school with an IB curriculum and most of the children whose parents work for BWM attend school there since it does have the IB diploma and they will be able to transfer grades and work back to Europe. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions. My son is in the lower school division but we love the school and have many friends with children who attend the upper school.

[townbuilder]

I moved to town in August and enrolled both of my children in Christ Church. They have assimilated very quickly and we are very impressed with the quality of the facility and the teaching.

[greenvillesc]

My daughter went to Christ, grades 2-12. Absolutely excellent school. St. Joseph's also has a good reputation. Riverside High has a top reputation as a public school - located in the Greer area.

[Skyliner]

Christ Church Episcopal School is likely the most well respected private school in Greenville. It is regionally renowned for its high level education, international studies, and sports.

Southside Christian School also has a solid sports program. They have plans for major expansion because of the overwhelming interest among local residents.

Of course, we should also remember to include Bob Jones Primary, Elementary, Junior High, and Senior High schools, Shannon Forest Christian School, and Mitchell Road Christian Academy. Each of these are well respected private schools in Greenville.

[Mary_Lane]

MRCA is only through eighth grade...

You could also check out the schools in Spartanburg. (Spartanburg Day and Oakbrook Prep) if you're not totally set on Greenville.

And I'd stay away from Bob Jones. They have a 'reputation' of being nutcases (even if they are not... the reputation is still there.)

[jac]

Originally Posted by Mary_Lane

MRCA is only through eighth grade...

You could also check out the schools in Spartanburg. (Spartanburg Day and Oakbrook Prep) if you're not totally set on Greenville.

And I'd stay away from Bob Jones. They have a 'reputation' of being nutcases (even if they are not... the reputation is still there.)

That is definitely uncalled for.

I have friends who send their kids to Bob Jones Elementary and Middle School. They are far from being "nutcases", as you so kindly put it.

[Skyliner]

I also have known families whose kids attended BJES and BJA. Honestly, they seemed to be well prepared academically. Public perception of the university is generally far from reality (i.e. public perception is generally full of prejudice), in my opinion as someone who is not afraid to occasionally visit the campus and mingle with faculty, staff and the student body, in addition to attending concerts and recitals. The school offers a great amount of cultural worth to this city, even if most people living here are unaware of that fact. What are specific cases where the word "nutcase" provides an adequate definition in reference to the BJ schools? I am definitely not denying such cases exist, but would like to hear the POV of one who sees little or no value in the education provided there.