If you’ve never heard of a Chick-a-Bee, don’t worry — Cheryl Kraus will be the first to tell you it’s not a species you missed in biology class. “It’s a new creation,” she says with a laugh. Part Phoenix chicken — majestic and beautiful — part hardworking bee, the Chick-a-Bee was born from a community brainstorm, and it became the perfect symbol for the school Kraus was building: Greenthumb School in Travelers Rest.
“I pitched it with a bee and a chicken on the crest. They told me I couldn’t have two mascots. So I said — then our mascot has to be both.” – Cheryl Kraus
That same spirit — bridging what usually stays separate — is the heartbeat of Greenthumb School.
A Camp That Grew Into Something More
Greenthumb didn’t start as a school. In 2016, Kraus and her team at Upcountry Provisions partnered with the restaurant’s master gardener to offer summer educational programs for kids ages 4 to 11. What started as a seasonal camp quickly sent Kraus down a rabbit hole. She went back to school, earned a master’s in education, and spent years developing curriculum across different ages and developmental levels. By 2024, Greenthumb School officially opened its doors.
“I had only worked with 14 to 18-year-olds. Diving into younger children — I knew nothing. And that’s what started it all.”
The school serves students from kindergarten (K5) through 9th grade and is proudly rooted in the Travelers Rest community, welcoming families from across the greater Greenville area and the Upstate of South Carolina.
Thinking, Not Just Memorizing
At Greenthumb, classical education isn’t a buzzword — it’s a framework. Using the Memoria Press Classical Latin Curriculum as its academic spine, the school covers math, English, literature, history, science, and yes, Latin. The ancient language has been the toughest sell.
“Classical education is teaching people how to think, not just giving them facts to memorize. And then as they learn how to think and reason, teaching them to have conversations about what they’ve learned.”
The kids moaned about Latin at first — Kraus will freely admit it. But she held the line, leaning into a formal, traditional approach: students standing, greeting each other in Latin, listening to the Latin song before settling in for the lesson.
“It taught them to stand up straight. It taught them to be silent for two or three minutes. I learned not to let my determination be based on their reaction.”
What makes Greenthumb distinct, though, is the bridge it deliberately builds between the classical and the practical. Vocational skills usually live in one world; liberal arts in another. Kraus decided her students would live in both.
A Week That Works
The Greenthumb rhythm is beautifully intentional. Students attend on Mondays for a full day — new lessons introduced in small, age-based groups, rich discussion, related arts, and a community lunch prepared by Upcountry Provisions. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, families work through Q&A and discussion at home. Thursdays bring a half day of hands-on learning: cooking, gardening, practical life skills. Assessments are completed online between Friday and Sunday.
That shared lunch table is more intentional than it might seem. Kraus noticed early in her work at Upcountry Provisions that young employees — many of them homeschool students — needed guidance on how to simply be with people. The Memoria Press “Me, Myself, and Other” program and Manor Cards bring that philosophy into the school day.
“Our hope and aim is to prepare students for life. To be good neighbors. Good community dinner guests.”
Who It’s For
Greenthumb is designed for families who want to be actively involved in their child’s education but welcome expert support in introducing new content. Students are placed based on where they test — which means a child can excel in math at a higher level while receiving support in another subject, all without losing their grade-level standing.
Tuition runs $250 per month for younger students and $300 for older ones, with flexible payment arrangements available. For families who want to explore individual subjects, — la carte classes are also available through Greenthumb’s online platform. The school’s academic calendar runs from August 17th through the end of May — its own schedule, with its own rhythms.
Greenthumb is a proud Partner Member of the Classical Latin School Association, which marks the beginning of its formal accreditation journey. Kraus has her sights set on expanding to additional school days as the community grows and students move into the upper grades.
“What’s most important is for the children to really have a love of learning, and to cultivate a strong sense of meaning in their hard work — and to feel connected to the good work in our community.”
What They Want Kids to Carry
For a school born from a summer camp, a master gardener, and a mascot invented with entrepreneurial spirit and unapologetic whimsy — one that takes its mission seriously without ever taking itself too seriously — that’s a vision that comes through loud and clear.
Try the Greenthumb Way — Free Tours & Demo Classes This Summer
Greenthumb School is offering FREE tours and demo classes throughout June. Parents are welcome to take the 30-minute tour and either stay for the class or drop off their child to experience the Greenthumb approach firsthand. 48-hour advance registration is required.
Time: 2:00—4:00 pm
Location: Upcountry Provisions Restaurant, Travelers Rest, SC
Available Dates: June 2nd, June 4th, June 9th, June 10th, June 12th, June 17th, June 18th, June 22nd, June 23rd, June 24th, June 25th, June 29th & June 30th
Register for a Tour & Demo Class: upcountryprovisions.com/greenthumb-tour-and-demo
Learn More About the Co-op: upcountryprovisions.com/greenthumb-co-op
Connect With Greenthumb
Visit greenthumbschool.com or text (864) 423-1917 to schedule a tour. Located at 6811 State Park Rd, Travelers Rest, SC 29690.