Greenville County Schools Gears Up for New School Year

Greenville County Schools Gears Up for New School Year

Greenville County, South Carolina, is preparing to welcome nearly 80,000 students back to school this Thursday, August 8th. The Greenville County School District, the largest in South Carolina, is excited about the upcoming year and has announced that all 86 schools will be reopening their doors.

Tim Waller, the Director of Media Relations for the district, expressed enthusiasm ahead of the new school year, stating, “We are ready to go. Teachers are fired up. We hope that kids are ready to go. Put them to bed early tonight because tomorrow morning is going to come early.”

This year, the district is thrilled to start with a full roster of 6,000 certified teachers. “We have filled all teaching positions, so we start the new school year with excellent certified teachers,” Waller noted.

Regarding transportation, the district currently has 400 bus drivers on board but is still looking for about 50 more to fill the gaps in their routes. Waller encouraged anyone interested in driving a bus to consider the job, mentioning that new drivers start at over $20 an hour.

In addition to teaching staff, the district is proud to have opened the CTE Innovation Center last year, which is focused on career and technology training. As part of this initiative, students have already been recruited by BMW through their rising scholars program, demonstrating the center’s success.

Another noteworthy aspect of this school year is the continuation of free meals provided to students in 82 schools. This initiative, made possible through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), allows schools with a high percentage of low-income families to provide free meals to all students. This program will remain in place at least until the 2026-27 school year.

With excitement in the air, district leaders are asking parents to prepare for traffic delays on Thursday morning as children head back to school. “Plan for extra traffic in the morning,” Waller advised, as busy carlines and crowded roads are anticipated.

As the Greenville County School District embarks on a new school year, there is a sense of readiness and optimism among its educators and staff, eager to support the students who will undoubtedly bring energy and enthusiasm to the classrooms.