Secular Schools
Are looking for a private school in the Greenville area that is not religiously affiliated? Here’s a list of secular private schools in and around Greenville. This list includes preschool through middle school, plus a school for kids with special needs!
For a full list of private schools in Greenville, check out our Ultimate Guide to Private Schools in Greenville and Upstate, SC.
Founded by Mallika Vejay in 1977 as a way to support working families with a quality educational program. With over 45 years of continued service, the Montessori School of Mauldin is the longest-running Montessori School in the Upstate. Montessori teachers are trained through the Association Montessori International, the organization founded by Dr. Maria Montessori.
- Ages: 6 weeks through Grade 6 (Infant/Toddler, Primary ages 3–6, Elementary grades 1–6)
- Schedule: Infant/Toddler: 12-month calendar | Primary and Elementary: 10-month school year | Full-time and part-time options available
- Tuition (2026-27): $840–$1,296.75/month depending on program and schedule.
Registration fees $200–$325.
3% discount available on annual payments. View the full tuition schedule here. - Also Offered: Afterschool and Summer Camp programs for ages 3–6 and grades 1–6
- Pro Tip: Schedule a tour to experience the authentic AMI Montessori environment. Enrollment is rolling and typically open year-round.
Top Questions Parents Ask About Montessori School of Mauldin:
What makes this school’s Montessori approach authentic? AMI-certified, with founder Mallika Vejay trained by trainers directly certified by Maria and Mario Montessori themselves, one of the most direct Montessori lineages in the Upstate.
Best For: Families seeking an authentic AMI Montessori education from infancy through middle elementary in Mauldin
Location: 205B East Butler Road, Mauldin, SC 29662
Website: mauldinmontessori.com
Five Oaks Academy
SPONSORED 864.228.1881| | 1101 Jonesville Road, Simpsonville, SC
- Five Oaks Academy Website
- Five Oaks Academy Facebook
- Five Oaks Academy Map
- Five Oaks Academy Instagram
Five Oaks Academy is accredited by the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) and is the only Montessori school in the area offering a cohesive program from toddler through eighth grade. With over 36 countries represented, FOA’s global community and research-based approach give students an educational experience you won’t find anywhere else.
A low student-teacher ratio ensures each child receives a customized education, with students treated as individuals who develop problem-solving skills, time management, and a genuine love of learning.
- Ages: Toddler (half-day) through 8th grade
- Tuition (2026-27): Pre-Primary $6,500
Primary Half-Day (3K-4K) $8,325
Primary Full-Day (K5) $10,000
Elementary (1st-5th) $13,415
Middle School (6th-8th) $16,000.
Application fee $450-$550 | $500 tuition deposit | Materials fee $225-$650. - Schedule: Pre-Primary and Primary Half-Day 8:30-11:45 am | Primary Full-Day 8:30 am-2:45 pm | Elementary 8:30 am-3:00 pm | Middle School 8:30 am-3:15 pm
- Financial Aid: Need-based scholarships available for all current and prospective families; awards made in March for the following school year. Learn more here.
- Enrichments: Spanish | Art | Music | Garden and Wellness | Level Up Village | After School program
- Pro Tip: Request a campus tour to experience FOA firsthand – schedule here or call 864.228.1881.
Question Parents Ask About Five Oaks Academy:
What subjects do students explore? Mathematics, literature, history, science, geography, and the arts — all in a creative, research-based manner alongside Spanish, Music, Art, and Garden and Wellness.
Best For: Families seeking an authentic, internationally diverse Montessori education from toddler through middle school in Simpsonville
Location: 1101 Jonesville Road, Simpsonville, SC
Website: fiveoaksacademy.com
BEST Skills Academy is an affordable private middle school with a formal mentoring approach to education.
Offers: Montessori education for ages 3 – 6.
The Haynsworth School
864.235.3010 | 228 East Park Avenue, Greenville, SC
The Haynsworth School in Greenville offers a nurturing and stimulating educational environment for K-2 through 3rd grade.
Montessori Academy of Spartanburg
864.585.3046 | 384 South Spring Street, Spartanburg, SC
Montessori Academy of Spartanburg provides a developmentally appropriate environment for students ranging from 8 weeks through the 8th grade.
Spartanburg Day School
864.582.7539 | 1701 Skylyn Drive, Spartanburg, SC
Spartanburg Day School is a nationally-accredited independent school, offering curriculum and programming for 3K through 12th grade.
Camperdown Academy
864.244.8899 | 65 Verdae Commons Drive, Greenville, SC
Camperdown Academy is a special education school located in Greenville that offers education and support for students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences in grades 1-8.
Greenville Guides
- Birthday Parties
- Preschools and Daycare
- Private Schools
- Greenville County Schools
- After School Care
- Summer Camps
- Things to Do Inside
- Homeschool
- Classes, Activities, and Sports
- Moving to Greenville
- Healthcare in Greenville
- Dental Care in Greenville
- Special Needs
- Baby and Maternity
- Greenville Parks
- Field Trips
- Christmas Trees
- KABOOM Awards: Greenville's Best
- U-Pick Apples and Apple Orchards