First Presbyterian Academy – 2 campuses to serve your family

First Presbyterian Academy (FPA), with its roots as Greenville’s oldest private, Christian School, is in its Open Enrollment period through Sunday, February 28, 2021. The status of all families, both current and new, is equal as applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Across both their Downtown campus on West Washington (serving K2-K6) and Shannon Forest on Garlington Road (K3-12th Grade) locations, re-enrollment figures are at an all-time high.  Tours and new student applications for coveted classroom seats have reached record numbers with many classes near capacity!  FPA is accredited through AdvancED and South Carolina Independent Schools Association (SCISA) with membership in the National Honor Society (NHS) and Phi Delta Kappa, to name a few. A full list of accreditations and membership is here.

Thank you to First Presbyterian Academy for sponsoring this article.

First Presbyterian Academy Downtown began with just 12 students in 1952 on the historic site of First Presbyterian Church. Now boasting over 100 students, the school serves families within and around the church itself with educational offerings in K2, K3, K4 and K5. Something special is their transition K6 class of learners who need the gift of time before advancing to 1st Grade. Students enjoy small classroom sizes taught by degreed teachers, and experience related arts classes in Music, Physical Education, and Art. At this location, is an Academic Center that assists with language-based difficulties, executive function skills and interdisciplinary issues as either one-on-one or group sessions. While the school day runs from 9:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., options for early and late stay afford parents needed support.

First Presbyterian Academy at Shannon Forest graces a beautiful 15-acre campus on Garlington Road designed to create a specialized environment for specific ages of students. The Lower School (K5-5th) and Preschool (K3-K4) buildings are separated by a unique garden perfect for reading, sketching, and learning about nature.  Middle and Upper School (6th-12th Grade) buildings are located on the other side of Garlington Road.   The campus includes, among many things, baseball, soccer, and practice fields. The school offers early and late stay options.  Early Stay is available for K3-12th Grade students. Late Stay is available for K3-5th Grade.  By grade level highlights include:

• K3-K4: full and half day programming, instruction from degreed teachers focused on developmental stages, a challenging academic program, and nurturing in social and emotional needs according to a Biblical worldview. Students also receive education in related arts programs. Learn more.
• K5-5th Grade: includes challenging, hands on classroom time with additional instruction in STEM, Art, Physical Education and Music, while celebrating the differences of all God’s children with daily Bible lessons and classroom management through the lens of scripture. High ability learning is fostered through a Gifted Program. And, STEM students develop social skills, learn cooperation, enjoy project-based learning, apply knowledge to real-life situations and use technology to engineer solutions to actual global problems, such as building bridges or supplying water. Learn more.
• Middle School recognizes the growing needs of students in preparing for the transition from Elementary to High School. The course offerings (here) highlight Religion, English, History, Math, and Science with opportunities for electives in Foreign Language, Physical Education, STEM, Choir, Drama, Drumming and Art. Students interested in honors level curriculum may begin in 8th Grade with High School credit-level classes.
• High School students receive high quality, College Preparatory, Honors and AP classes taught with an emphasis on content, engagement, and higher-ordered learning skills combined with a foundation of truth of the Christian worldview.  With a dedicated College Counselor working with students and their families on course scheduling, test preparation, college visits, and job shadowing, the outcome is 100% of students are accepted to college and prepared for life. Average 2020 ACT scores were 25 and SAT scores were 1150. A breakdown of the course offerings is seen here.

First Presbyterian Academy is also home to 21 athletic teams competing in nine sports. All athletic teams compete on the Academy at Shannon Forest campus and are known as the Crusaders. The school views Athletics as a part of the educational process and expectations are held to the same high standards as all other educational pursuits. There are also ample opportunities for growth, leadership, and involvement through student organizations. The school engages parents in volunteering. The Vision and Mission of the school promises to provide students of all ages a nurturing environment with rigorous academics taught through a Christian worldview, preparing every child for a future of academic excellence and Christian service.

VISION: The school IGNITES a passion for excellence in learning and INFUSES God’s Word as a lens for learning, so our students may grow to IMPACT the world for Jesus Christ.

MISSION: We are a Christian community dedicated to providing a premier college preparatory education, grounded in a Biblical world view, which develops character in students from varied backgrounds for a lifetime of learning and service.

Apply now! The process is outlined here.

Find out more about First Presbyterian Academy!