Heathwood Hall Episcopal School
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Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Heathwood Hall, or simply Heathwood is an independent coeducational college preparatory school in Columbia, SC. Founded in 1951, Heathwood offers small classes for students in pre-kindergarden/nursery school through grade 12, and is the only independent school in the state with three National Blue Ribbon School awards from the US Department of Education. For the 2006-2007 school year, Heathwood has 880 students enrolled and graduating classes typically number between 55 and 75 students each year. All graduates are accepted to college and recent alumni are attending such institutions as Purdue University, University of Notre Dame, Duke University, Princeton University, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
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[edit] Mission and Guiding Philosophy
Heathwood Hall Episcopal School fosters the personal and intellectual growth of students through demonstrated mastery of a college preparatory program in a Judeo-Christian environment. The school strives to help young people develop in mind, body and spirit, while "Inspiring generations one life at a time."
As part of each student's academic, spiritual, and personal development, Heathwood Hall is committed to requiring the mastery of a challenging college preparatory curriculum by encouraging creative and critical thinking and problem solving. Faculty and staff also challenge young people to accept their responsibilities and be accountable in their lives and learning.
Faculty and staff help students develop relationships across disciplines through collaborative and cooperative learning, while never losing sight of living, working and worshiping together to fulfill the teachings of the Christian faith.
Members of the Heathwood community are expected to respect the dignity of all human beings, and they are encouraged to consider and act upon the moral and ethical dimensions of their choices. Lastly, the faculty and staff of the school promote responsible and active citizenship and service beyond self by leading by example and knowing well—and selflessly helping to succeed—every child in their care.
[edit] History
Heathwood was chartered in 1951 by the the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina, opening its doors to 98 students at the original campus on Heathwood Circle. With Susan Gibbes Robinson as headmistress, the school held classes for kindergarten through fourth grade. The board of directors affirmed a policy of non-discrimination from the beginning, establishing at the outset Heathwood's leadership on equality in education.
In 1953, two additional grade levels, 5th and 6th, were added, allowing enrollment to surpass 200. The school remained on its relatively small downtown campus until 1974, when headmaster Earl Devanny guided the school through a period of growth and relocation from its downtown campus to its present site: a 133-acre tract of land in southeast Columbia donated by Burwell D. Manning, Jr. The school's first major capital campaign raised $1 million for construction of classrooms, gymnasium and a new high school. Heathwood Hall graduated its first high school class in 1977.
[edit] Governance and Classification
Heathwood Hall Episcopal School is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization as defined by the IRS. A voluntary Board of Trustees governs it.
[edit] Athletics
The Heathwood Hall Highlanders are members of the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) league, which provides students in grades 6–12 the opportunity to compete in a broad range of sports. Heathwood is a Class 3A school, the largest classification in SCISA's rankings. The athletic program is designed to encourage physical fitness, teamwork, excellence and sportsmanship. Heathwood's varsity football team, currently led by Head Coach John Daye, won state championships in 1986, 2001 and 2004. The girls' and boys' track teams won state championships respectively in 2005 and 2006. The boys' lacrosse team won state runner-up honors in 2006.
[edit] Fine Arts
[edit] Lower School (grades 1-4)
All Lower School students participate in music and visual art classes. The second- and fourth-grade students explore drama through play productions. Students have many opportunities to share their artistic expressions with the Heathwood community. These include choral performances (such as the Festival of Lessons and Carols), Grandparents’ Day presentations and the annual publication of Creations, a literary magazine featuring students' creative writing and visual art. Students in grades one through four may also participate in the popular and productive after school Art Club.
[edit] Intermediate/Middle School (grades 5-8)
Fifth and sixth grade students study band and chorus for the entire academic year. Seventh and eighth-grade students study band, chorus, or general music for the entire academic year. Students explore visual art and drama classes for a full semester, and all humanities classes include an integrated visual art project. Visual art works are entered in competition at the SC State Fair and other art shows. Band members compete at regional and state levels. IS/MS students share their creative work with the Heathwood Hall community through band and choral concerts, visual art displays and extracurricular drama productions such as Schoolhouse Rock!, Jr., and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
[edit] Upper School (grades 9-12)
Upper School students may take classes in acting, play production, visual art, photography, band and chorus. In addition, a variety of co- and extra-curricular opportunities are offered for US students interested in the Fine Arts. These include band concerts and two or more play productions each year. Previous all-school productions have included Godspell and The Music Man, Jr. Additionally, the upper school has recently put on productions of Grease: School Version, Pride and Prejudice and Leader of the Pack. Visual art works are entered in competition at the SC State Fair and other art shows. Band members compete at regional and state levels. Students who exhibit dedication to theatre through earning points for their work may be inducted into Heathwood Hall’s chapter of the International Thespian Society, an honor society for theatre. Drama participants also represent the school at various festivals and competitions. Among other honors in 2003, the Heathwood Players were awarded First Place in the region at the SCISA one-act play event.
