Philosophy

Mission

A college preparatory school with a strong Episcopal heritage of stewardship, inclusivity, and respect for the dignity of every human being, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School walks with students, challenging them to balance the highest standards of scholarship, citizenship, and servant leadership. Through the richness of community we learn, grow, and worship as we cultivate and celebrate the power of the individual mind, the soundness of body, and the value of a joyful and spiritual life.

Vision

Inspiring Generations One Life at a Time

Guiding Philosophy

Heathwood Hall Episcopal School stands firmly in the Episcopal tradition of inclusiveness. The School strives to create an academic, social, and spiritual climate where diverse people learn, live, work, and play together with respect, responsibility, and understanding, free from the fear of prejudice and intolerance and committed to the selfless sharing of their God-given talents.

We are committed to:

Requiring the mastery of a challenging college preparatory curriculum
Developing core competencies for citizenship in the 21st century including: critical thinking and problem solving; collaboration across networks and leading by influence; agility and adaptability; initiative and entrepreneurship; effective oral and written communication; accessing and analyzing information; and curiosity, creativity, and imagination
Helping our students establish a broader world view and understanding of global issues and people
Knowing each child well and inspiring them to take responsibility for their learning
Engaging students in purposeful and meaningful learning and assessments that connect to learners’ lives and to each other
Living, working and worshiping together to fulfill the teachings of the Christian faith while also understanding and respecting different faith traditions and cultures
Respecting the dignity of all human beings and caring for all creation
Encouraging community members to consider and act upon the moral and ethical dimensions of their choices
Promoting responsible and active citizenship and service beyond self
Regarding our natural, political, and social environment as an integral part of our classroom experience
Reflecting regularly to assess both program goals and the progress toward said goals.

One Life at a Time

Celebrating 60 years of educational leadership, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School has gained national acclaim with a college preparatory program built around the philosophy of knowing and teaching each child as an individual. No two children are alike. Each has distinct strengths, needs and passions. With these truths in mind, Heathwood helps each student to realize his God-given potential.

Building on more than half a century of tradition, Heathwood Hall is a leading school that has pioneered educational initiatives throughout the state and region. Heathwood’s comprehensive program addresses the mind, body and spirit of each student, focusing on educating the whole child and offering an experience unmatched in the Midlands community at preparing students for a lifetime of learning, achievement and service.

A Culture of Achievement

At Heathwood Hall, award-winning teachers engage students in a challenging learning environment that inspires and awards high achievement. Some of our most recent honors include:

An unprecedented seven independent school state Teacher of the Year in the last nine years, along with Conservation Teacher of the Year for Richland County for two consecutive years.
First place in the individual and team competition in the 2009 South Carolina Independent School Association Math Meet. This is the second year in the row that Heathwood Hall has taken first place in both categories.
The 2009 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Scientific Awareness.
“Superior” rating, “Best in Class” and “Top Three Soloist” distinction for Upper School Chorus at the 2009 Disney Festival
First Place in Monologue and Solo Musical Theatre at the 2009 S.C. Thespians/Palmetto Dramatics Association Festival
State Championships in Girls’ Track (2008 and 2009), Bowling (2009), Girls’ Tennis (2008) and Girls Golf (2007).

These and many other accomplishments spring regularly from Heathwood classrooms, art and drama programs, and playing fields. Across the campus, students gain inspiration from some of South Carolina’s top coaches and the state’s most honored independent school faculty. The school’s people and programs are in place to address each child’s unique strengths and challenges so that young people can achieve, succeed and thrive.

Sharper minds

Heathwood believes quality education includes much more than classroom lectures, memorized dates and unrelated facts. A Heathwood student is expected to think — mastering the ability to analyze information, collaborating well with others on group assignments, giving and taking constructive criticism and solving difficult problems. The act of discovery serves as the philosophical centerpiece for Heathwood’s program with the ultimate goal of inspiring students to lifelong learning and personal excellence.

Leadership, Service and Spiritual Life

Heathwood students are often the first in the community to benefit from important new educational initiatives, thanks to the school’s culture of constant improvement and attention to national data and research. Community service and spiritual life, including daily prayer and weekly worship, challenge young people to act on their faith through service to God, neighbors and fellow students. The Heathwood Hall Honor Code provides the foundation for campus life for all students.

Campus Culture, Worship & Student Life

Located on a scenic 133-acre campus bordering the Congaree River, Heathwood Hall is serving more than 870 boys and girls this year from three year-old nursery school through grade 12. The program features an advanced college preparatory curriculum and graduation requirements include a minimum of 24 credit hours and completion of the Senior Exhibition: a yearlong dissertation-style research project. A full-time office is dedicated to college counseling for each student. Character, civility and personal responsibility are fostered through prayer, worship in weekly chapels, the school’s Honor Code and by an Honor Council in the Upper School. Community service occurs throughout the program and is required in grades 9-12.

Heathwood students enjoy a nationally recognized Outdoor Education Program: the only one of its kind in South Carolina. The school’s technology program also has been honored nationally for highly effective use of computers in classroom learning. Students have access to more than 350 computers on campus, a 2.5 to 1 student-computer ratio. Extracurricular choices abound for students, including athletics, fine arts, academic clubs and competitions. More than 80 percent of Heathwood students participate on athletic teams.