What differentiates Heathwood from other local schools?

Heathwood Hall was founded in 1951 and, as the only Episcopal school in Columbia, we have always been inclusive and committed to educating the whole child in mind, body, and spirit. We serve children ages 2 years through 12th grade in a natural learning environment that values the dignity of every human being, recognizes the role of experiential learning in the healthy journey of a young person, and sees service to others as essential to personal and intellectual growth.

What do you find most rewarding about your job?

I am passionate about providing a learning environment that supports the growth and development of our students. We have the ability to help children be the best versions of themselves. Good schools provide programs and experiences to help children and students grow, develop, and recognize their strengths and passions. At Heathwood, we are constantly examining how we might best support our families.

How do you keep up with the latest advances in education?

Faculty and school administrators are life-long learners, and we attend a number of national, regional, and local conferences about learning, student engagement, and psycho-social development. Being educators, we also read a lot — about best practices, innovative ideas, new technology, and more.

What would you identify as the latest trends in education?

Many of Heathwood’s core values and foundational programs are still in vogue 30 to 60 years after their formation. Nationally, the best schools have programs that help students see beyond themselves and ask deep questions (as we do, being faith-based), engage children’s minds and bodies, create campuses that value natural green space, appreciate the global nature of the world (as our Winterim program does), and engage in scholarly pursuits that combine research and writing (exemplified by our Senior Exhibition Capstone research project). Additionally, the best schools tailor education to assist the individual rather than asking the individual to conform.

How does Heathwood Hall give back to the Columbia community?

In the Upper School and the Middle School, our students have to perform community service, either through the school or on their own. We also have long-standing relationships with a number of local organizations: Harvest Hope, Families Helping Families, Camp Cole, Johns Island Rural Mission, Gills Creek Watershed Association, the Red Cross, and more.