Greenville County School District
Greenville County School District is a public school district in Greenville County, South Carolina, United States. It is the largest school district in the state of South Carolina and the 44th largest in the US.
As of the 2019–2020 school year, the district, led by Superintendent Dr. W Burke Royster, serves 76,964 students from Greenville; and some parts of Laurens and Spartanburg counties. Spread across 106 education centers, the district currently employs 4,908 certified teachers. GCSD has an operating budget of $592.639 million for the 2017–2018 school year. GCSD has 14 National Blue Ribbon Schools, 9 Newsweek's Best High Schools, 21 Carolina First Palmetto's Finest Schools, 48 Red Carpet Schools, and 29 National PTA Schools of Excellence.
The district includes the majority of Greenville County, though small portions are in other school districts. It also extends into a portion of Laurens County, where it includes that county's part of Fountain Inn. The district also extends into Spartanburg County, where it includes portions of Greer in that county.
History
Early history
At the end of World War II, Greenville County had 86 school districts. The smallest was a one-room school; the two largest, Parker and Greenville City, served two-thirds of the student population.On August 23, 1951 the Greenville County Board of Education, chaired by J. B. League, established the School District of Greenville County and appointed nine trustees, with A. D. Asbury as chair. Dr. William F. Loggins was the first superintendent. An educational program of greater equality began to emerge, mainly by consolidating smaller schools.
Public schools desegregation
In 1963, the local NAACP filed suit in the federal district court, for the children of A. J. Whittenberg and five other Black students to attend all-white schools. They were represented by Willie Smith and Matthew Perry, while the district was represented by its attorney E. P. Riley. On April 14, after a federal judge gave the school board thirty days to reconsider, Superintendent Marion T. Anderson announced that fifty-five black students would be transferred to sixteen white schools in 1964.Integration did not go smoothly and in May 1968 the state supreme court declared freedom of choice plans unacceptable. Opposition organizations were formed including Citizens for Freedom of Choice, Citizens to Prevent Busing, and Concerned Black Parents, chaired by H. L. Sullivan. In February 1970, most all-black schools were closed. 60% of the black and 10% of the white students were reassigned. 75% of the busing involved black students.
Educational structure
GCSD students attend schools based primarily on the geographic location of their homes. Schools of a lower level 'feed into' a certain school of the next highest level, meaning that students leaving the lower level schools attend the higher level school. Exceptions to the feeder system are students wishing to enroll in the magnet schools programs offered in 12 schools, or those who participate in the International Baccalaureate, which is offered in its three levels at four clusters over the county. Parents of students may also request transfers out of their students' assigned schools for various reasons.During the 2011 school year 4,380 students graduated from GCSD High Schools. Out of these nearly 90% pursued higher education, with a scholarship total of $95 million.
In the news
- In 2006, 21% of the 22,850 AP exams completed in South Carolina were taken by Greenville County students. The percentage of exams qualifying for college credit increased from 43% to 48%.
- The school district has also established a foundation that has successfully raised funds for student programs.
- In 2005, six Greenville County elementary schools and two middle schools were identified in a study released by the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee as reducing the achievement gap for at least one historically underachieving student group.
- Tanglewood Middle School shooting
Schools
Elementary schools
The Greenville County School District has 51 elementary schools that serve its population of 75,000 students. Most of the schools serve grades kindergarten through 5th grade, however two schools, the Rudolph Gordon School and Sterling School Charles Townes Center for the Highly Gifted and Talented, serve kindergarten though 6th and kindergarten though 8th, respectively.| Name | Grades | Enrollment | Principal | Address | Website |
| A.J. Wittenberg Elementary | K4-5th | 487 | Cameron Brice | 420 Westfield Street Greenville, SC 29601 | |
| Alexander Elementary | K4-5th | 492 | Dawn Hooker | 1601 Bramlett Road Greenville, SC 29611 | |
| Armstrong Elementary | K4-5th | 434 | Jacqueline Harris-Solomon | 8601 White Horse Rd. Greenville, SC 29617 | |
| Augusta Circle Elementary | K5-5th | 605 | Mimi Melehes | 100 Winyah Street Greenville 29605 | |
| Bell's Crossing Elementary | K5-5th | 881 | Chris Ross | 804 Scuffletown Road Simpsonville, SC 29681 | |
| Berea Elementary | K5-5th | 489 | Hunter McClure | 100 Berea Dr. Greenville, SC 29617 | |
| Bethel Elementary | K5-5th | 914 | Nurit' Sexton | 111 Bethel School Rd Simpsonville, SC 29681 | |
| Blythe Academy | K4-5th | 861 | Steven Sokohl | 100 Blythe Drive Greenville, SC 29605 | |
| Brook Glenn Elementary | K4-5th | 428 | Jordan O'Toole | 2003 East Lee Rd. Taylors, SC 29687 | |
| Brushy Creek Elementary | K4-5th | 812 | Charles T. Davis Jr. | 1344 Brushy Creek Rd. Taylors, SC 29687 | |
| Bryson Elementary | K5-5th | 1052 | Andreya Boggs | 703 Bryson Dr. Simpsonville, SC 29681 | |
| Buena Vista Elementary | K5-5th | 834 | David Burgess | 310 Batesville Rd. Greer, SC 29650 | |
| Chandler Creek Elementary | K4-5th | 875 | Cassandra Davis | 301 Chandler Rd Greer, SC 29651 | |
| Cherrydale Elementary | K4-5th | 634 | Debra R. Johnson | 302 Perry Rd. Greenville, SC 29609 | |
| Crestview Elementary | K4-5th | 704 | David Langston | 509 American Legion Road Greer, SC 29651 | |
| Duncan Chapel Elementary | K5-5th | 619 | Danielle Lee | 210 Duncan Chapel Rd. Greenville, SC 29617 | |
| East North Street Academy | K4-5th | 674 | Dr. Jordan Hudson | 1720 E. North St. Greenville, SC 29607 | |
| Ellen Woodside Elementary | K4-5th | 1067 | Shawn McCain | 9122 Augusta Rd. Pelzer, SC 29669 | |
| Fork Shoals | K5-5th | 752 | Kim Reid | 916 McKelvey Rd. Pelzer, SC 29669 | |
| Fountain Inn Elementary | K3-5th | 1039 | Jessica Preisig | 608 Fairview St. Fountain Inn, SC 29644 | |
| Gateway Elementary | K4-5th | 657 | Susan Stubley | 200 Hawkins Rd. Travelers Rest, SC 29690 | |
| Greenbrier Elementary | K4-5th | 875 | Le'Keisha Brown | 853 Log Shoals Rd. Greenville, SC 29607 | |
| Grove Elementary | K5-5th | 619 | Stephanie Reese | 1220 Old Grove Rd. Piedmont, SC 29673 | |
| Heritage Elementary | K4-5th | 547 | Heather Hester | 1592 Geer Highway Travelers Rest, SC 29690 | |
| Hollis Academy | K4-5th | 570 | Sofia Tsambounieris | 200 Goodrich Street Greenville, SC 29611 | |
| Lake Forest Elementary | K4-5th | 822 | Julie Cooke | 16 Berkshire Avenue Greenville, SC 29615 | |
| Mauldin Elementary | K4-5th | 1048 | Jennifer Dodds | 1194 Holland Road,, Simpsonville, SC 29681 | |
| Mitchell Road Elementary | K4-5th | 569 | Morgan Warner | 4124 E. North St. Ext. Greenville, SC 29615 | |
| Monarch Elementary | K4-5th | 874 | Mark Loach | 224 Five Forks Road Simpsonville, SC 29681 | |
| Monaview Elementary | K4-5th | 590 | Stephen Hampton | 10 Monaview St. Greenville, SC 29617 | |
| Mountain View Elementary | K4-5th | 815 | Jennifer Gibson | 6350 Mountain View Road Taylors, SC 29687 | |
| Oakview Elementary | K5-5th | 887 | Dr. Phillip Reavis | 515 Godfrey Rd. Simpsonville, SC 29681 | |
| Paris Elementary | K5-5th | 596 | Lakisha Cook | 32 East Belvue Road Taylors, SC 29687 | |
| Pelham Road Elementary | K5-5th | 762 | Kristy Qualls | 100 All Star Way Greenville, SC 29615 | |
| Plain Elementary | K5-5th | 974 | Deborah Mihalic | 506 Neely Ferry Road Simpsonville, SC 29680 | |
| Reedy Laurel Elementary | K4-5th | Matt Critell | 51 Isbell Lane Greenville, SC 29607 | ||
| Robert E. Cashion Elementary | K4-5th | 968 | Ryan Streetman | 1500 Fork Shoals Road Greenville, SC 29605 | |
| Rudolph Gordon School | K5-6th | 1643 | Meredith Welch | 1507 Scuffletown Road Simpsonville, SC 29681 | |
| Sara Collins Elementary | K5-5th | 913 | Dr. Melissa Burns | 1200 Parkins Mill Road Greenville, SC 29607 | |
| Simpsonville Elementary | K5-5th | 798 | Jackie Earle | 200 Morton Avenue Simpsonville, SC 29681 | |
| Skyland Elementary | K4-5th | 761 | Leah Stafford | 4221 Hwy. 14 North Greer, SC 29651 | |
| Slater Marietta Elementary | K4-5th | 310 | Candice Stanton | 100 Baker Circle Marietta, SC 29661 | |
| Sterling School Charles Townes Gifted Center | K3-8th | 753 | Dr. Josh Patterson | 99 John McCarroll Way Greenville, SC 29607 | |
| Stone Academy | K5-5th | 536 | Suzanne Shouse | 115 Randall St Greenville, SC 29609 | |
| Sue Cleveland Elementary | K5-5th | 546 | Jenni Dunagan | 375 Woodmont School Rd Piedmont, SC 29673 | |
| Summit Drive Elementary | K5-5th | 581 | Jennifer Woody | 424 Summit Dr Greenville, SC 29609 | |
| Taylors Elementary | K5-5th | 730 | Heather Dye | 809 Reid School Rd. Taylors, SC 29687 | |
| Thomas E. Kerns Elementary | K5-5th | 550 | Dr. Ronda Simmons | 6650 Frontage at White Horse Rd Greenville, SC 29605-3300 | |
| Tigerville Elementary | K4-5th | 270 | Amy Kern | 25 Tigerville Elem. School Rd. Taylors, SC 29687 | |
| Welcome Elementary | K5-5th | 633 | Wallace Cobbs | 36 E. Welcome Rd Greenville, SC 29611 | |
| Westcliffe Elementary | K4-5th | 283 | Beth Farmer | 105 Eastbourne Rd. Greenville, SC 29611 | |
| Woodland Elementary | K5-5th | 1290 | Katrina Miller | 1730 Gibb Shoals Road, Greer, SC 29650 |
High schools
| Name | Grades | Enrollment | Principal | Address | Website |
| Berea High | 9-12th | 1275 | Mike Noel | 201 Burdine Drive Greenville, SC 29617 | |
| Blue Ridge High | 9-12th | 1071 | Ashley Wardlaw | 2151 Fews Chapel Rd. Greer, SC 29651 | |
| Carolina High School & Academy | 9-12th | 980 | Jeremy Carrick | 2725 Anderson Rd. Greenville, SC 29611 | |
| Eastside High | 9-12th | 1505 | Todd Stafford | 1300 Brushy Creek Rd. Taylors, SC 29687 | |
| Fountain Inn High | 9-12th | 1608 | Stephanie Smith | 644 Quillen Avenue Fountain Inn, SC 29644 | |
| Greenville Senior High School | 9-12th | 1735 | Dylan Hudson | 1 Vardry St. Greenville, SC 29601 | |
| Greer High | 9-12th | 1427 | Andrew Baker | 3000 East Gap Creek Dr. Greer, SC 29651 | |
| Hillcrest High | 9-12th | 1920 | April Reece | 3665 S. Industrial Dr. Simpsonville, SC 29681 | |
| J.L. Mann Academy | 9-12th | 2019 | Dr. Shannon Gibson | 160 Fairforest Way Greenville, SC 29607 | |
| Mauldin High | 9-12th | 2119 | Mike Peake | 701 E. Butler Rd. Mauldin, SC 29662 | |
| Riverside High | 9-12th | 1839 | Darah Huffman | 794 Hammett Bridge Road Greer, SC 29650 | |
| Southside High | 9-12th | 1087 | Tatiana Shea | 6630 Frontage at White Horse Rd Greenville, SC 29605-3300 | |
| Travelers Rest High | 9-12th | 1296 | Daniel Bruce | 301 North Main St. Travelers Rest, SC 29690 | |
| Wade Hampton High | 9-12th | 1788 | Justin Ludley | 100 Pine Knoll Dr. Greenville, SC 29609 | |
| Woodmont High | 9-12th | 2184 | Melissa Patterson | 2831 West Georgia Road Piedmont, SC 29673 |
Career Centers
The Greenville County School District offers four career centers to its students. Students in grades 9-12 can take elective classes at these schools in conjunction with their regular studies at the assigned high schools. Students completing courses at these career centers will be awarded with certain industry certificates.| Name | Type | Administrator | Address | Website |
| Donaldson Career Center | Vocational School | Leland Blankenship | 100 Vocational Dr. Greenville, SC 29605 | |
| Enoree Career Center | Vocational School | Greg Cooke | 108 Scalybark Rd. Greenville, SC 29617 | |
| Golden Strip Career Technology Center | Vocational School | Michelle Michael | 1120 East Butler Rd. Greenville, SC 29607 | |
| J. Harley Bonds Career Center | Vocational School | Kelly Sanderson | 505 North Main St. Greer, SC 29650 |
Administration
Board of Trustees
Source:Amanda Brett, Area 26Debi C. Bush, Chair, Area 19Jeff Cochran, Area 28Sarah Dulin, Area 27Michelle Goodwin-Calwile, Area 25Lynda Leventis-Wells, Area 22Ann Marie Middleton, Area 18Glenda Morrison-Fair, Secretary pro tempore, Area 23Angie Mosley, Area 21Anne Pressley, Area 24Charles J. Saylors, Area 20Carolyn J. Styles, Vice-Chair pro tempore, Area 17District Administration
Source:Dr. W. Burke Royster, Superintendent- * Doug Webb, General Counsel
- * Whitney Hanna, Executive Director of Strategic Communications and Engagement
- * Julie Horton, Director of Governmental Relations
- * Karen Kapp, Director of Staff and Leadership Development
- * Nancy Fitzer, Assistant to the Superintendent and Board Liaison
- * Dr. Raashad Fitzpatrick, Assistant to the Superintendent and District Ombudsman
- * Katherine Malone, Assistant to the Superintendent and District OmbudsmanPhillip Davie, Deputy SuperintendentJeff McCoy, Associate Superintendent for Academics
- * Dr. Charlotte McDavid, Executive Director for Academic Innovation and Technology
- * Dr. Jason McCreary, Director of Accountability and Quality Assurance
- * Eric Williams, Executive Director - College and Career Readiness
- * Tara Dean, Director of Special Academic Projects
- * Traci Hogan, Assistant Superintendent for Special Education ServicesDr. Megan Mitchell-Hoefer, Assistant Superintendent for School Leadership - Elementary Schools Group 1Brenda 'Byrd, Assistant Superintendent for School Leadership - Elementary Schools Group 2Nerissa Lewis, Assistant Superintendent for School Leadership - Elementary Schools Group 3Dr. David McDonald, Assistant Superintendent for School Leadership - Middle SchoolsScott Rhymer, Assistant Superintendent for School Leadership - High SchoolsDr. George Ward, Associate Superintendent for Operations
- * Darryl Nance, Director of Athletics
- * Scott Carlin, Executive Director of Facilities
- * Bill Brown, Executive Director of Education Technology Services
- * Greg Stanfield, Executive Director of Planning and Demographics
- * Dr. Bryan Skipper, Executive Director of Student Personnel Services
- * Adam James, Director of TransportationRobin Stack, Chief Finance OfficerMorgan Clements,' Chief Human Resources Officer