Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Heathwood Hall, or simply Heathwood is an independent coeducational college preparatory school in Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...

. Founded in 1951, Heathwood offers classes for students in pre-kindergarten/nursery school through grade 12, and is the only independent school in the state with three National Blue Ribbon School awards from the US Department of Education. For the 2006-2007 school year, Heathwood had 1050 students enrolled and graduating classes typically number between 75 and 85 students each year.

History

Heathwood was chartered in 1951 by the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina

Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina

The Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina is a diocese in the Episcopal Church of the United States of America .Originally part of the Diocese of South Carolina, it became independent on October 10-11, 1922 following nearly two years of planning. The see city is Columbia. Its cathedral is...

. In 1953, two additional grade levels, 5th and 6th, were added, allowing enrollment to surpass 200.

The school remained on its downtown campus until 1974. Under headmaster Earl Devanny the school relocated to its present site: a 133 acre (0.53823238 km²) tract of land in southeast Columbia donated by Burwell D. Manning, Jr. The school's first major capital campaign raised $1 million for construction of classrooms, gymnasium and a new high school. Heathwood Hall graduated its first high school class in 1977.

Governance and Classification

Heathwood Hall Episcopal School is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization as defined by the IRS. It is governed by a voluntary Board of Trustees.

Athletics

The Heathwood Hall Highlanders are members of the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) league. Heathwood is a Class 3A school, the largest classification in SCISA's rankings. Heathwood's varsity football team, currently led by Head Coach Rip Blackstone, won state championships in 1986, 2001 and 2004. In 2009, they were also state runner-ups. The girls' and boys' track teams won state championships respectively in 2005 and 2006. The boys' lacrosse team won state runner-up honors in 2006. In 2007, the women's golf team won their first state championship. NFL player Michael Boulware

Michael Boulware

Michael Boulware is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.Boulware has also played for the Houston Texans in his career...

 of the Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...

, attended Heathwood along with his brother Peter Boulware

Peter Boulware

Peter Nicholas Boulware , is a former American football linebacker who played his whole NFL career for the Baltimore Ravens. He was a Republican candidate for the Florida House of Representatives, District 9. His younger brother, Michael Boulware, a strong safety is currently a free agent.-Early...

, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...

.

Lower School (grades 1-4)

All Lower School students participate in music and visual art classes. The second- and fourth-grade students participate in stage play productions. The school hosts student choral performances and the annual publication of Creations, a literary magazine featuring students' creative writing and visual art. Students in grades one through four may also participate in the after school Art Club.

Intermediate/Middle School (grades 5-8)

Fifth and sixth grade students study band and chorus for the entire academic year. Seventh and eighth-grade students study band or chorus for the entire academic year. Students participate visual art and drama classes for a full semester, and all humanities classes include an integrated visual art project. Visual art works are entered in competition at the SC State Fair and other art shows. Band members compete at regional and state levels.

Upper School (grades 9-12)

Upper School students may take classes in acting, play production, visual art, photography, band and chorus. In addition, a variety of co- and extracurricular opportunities are offered for US students interested in the Fine Arts. These include band concerts and two or more play productions each year. Visual art works are entered in competition at the SC State Fair and other art shows. Band members compete at regional and state levels.