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The Heathwood Hall Approach

School Safety & Campus Security

At Heathwood Hall, the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and visitors are our highest priorities. We are committed to maintaining a secure, nurturing environment where students can learn, grow, and thrive without distraction. Our dedicated Campus Safety team works closely with school leadership to implement best practices in emergency preparedness, access control, and daily campus monitoring. From secure check-in procedures to regular safety drills and a strong partnership with local first responders, every aspect of our safety plan is designed to foster peace of mind and allow students to focus on what matters most—learning and building meaningful connections within our community.

Heathwood prioritizes keeping our students, faculty, and colleagues safe while striking the right balance between managing safety and allowing our students to enjoy the freedom our beautiful campus affords.
 

Lower school students

 

Heathwood has established a variety of processes, protocols, and programs to help keep our students and faculty safe. Namely, the School:

  1. Employs a full-time School Resource Officer (SRO), Master Deputy Josh Albins.
  2. Controls vehicle access to campus through a single point of ingress and egress.
  3. Maintains specialized communications systems for responding to emergencies.
  4. Trains staff on safety protocols and emergency response and maintains an impressive student wellness team.
  5. Cultivates a learning community that supports students and prioritizes belonging and respect.

Each of these points is described in greater detail below.

1. Full-time School Resource Officer

Master Deputy Josh Albins has been Heathwood’s SRO since 2018. His goal is to provide the safest environment for students, parents, and staff. He is visible and active on campus throughout the school day, patrolling buildings and engaging with the community.

Deputy Albins plays a vital role in shaping Heathwood’s emergency response strategy. His experience with the Richland County Sheriff’s Office and the SC State Guard’s Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit has greatly informed the School’s protocols. Under his leadership, Heathwood has improved emergency response plans, conducted training, and built stronger ties with law enforcement. This includes hosting tactical training exercises on campus during student breaks, where faculty participate in drills to better prepare for potential crises.
2. Controlled Vehicle Access

Heathwood is located six miles from downtown, accessible by a single road. This makes it easier to monitor all incoming vehicles. A guard station at the entrance ensures that only authorized vehicles access the campus during designated times.

Vehicle Registration: All regular campus vehicles must display a valid 2025–2026 Campus Access Sticker on the front windshield (passenger side). These stickers are tied to specific vehicles and must be renewed annually.

ACCESS THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION FORM

Stickers are non-transferable. For more info, visit Vehicle Registration & Safety or email vehicles@heathwood.org.
3. Emergency Communication Systems

All Heathwood employees use STOPit Notify, a mobile emergency alert system that enables immediate communication, location tracking, and emergency announcements. The School also uses emergency email and SMS alerts to keep families informed during incidents.
4. Emergency Training & Wellness Team

Faculty and staff routinely drill lockdown, intruder response, and evacuation protocols. Training is continuously updated in accordance with evolving best practices for emergency response, including active shooter scenarios.

In addition, the school is equipped with five AEDs, extensive medical kits, and trained personnel including nurses, chaplains, and counselors. Staff are certified in CPR, AED use, and Stop the Bleed procedures.
5. A Culture of Safety and Support

With over 550 families, Heathwood is a close-knit community where faculty and administrators quickly notice when something is wrong. Our faculty, advisors, coaches, and wellness staff collaborate with families to support student well-being and intervene early when needed.