Greenville County Schools to Revise Student Assignment Boundaries for New Elementary School
Greenville, SC — Greenville County Schools (GCS) announced plans to revise student assignment boundaries to create a new framework that supports the incoming Reedy Laurel Elementary School. This change involves 24 adjustments across elementary, middle, and high school boundaries, impacting around 900 students.
What is the Plan?
The recommended plan will relocate approximately 600 students to Reedy Laurel Elementary, with the school’s opening scheduled for August 2025. Initially, the new school will serve grades K5 through second grade, gradually adding one grade per year until it accommodates all six grade levels, K5 through fifth, by the 2028-29 academic year.
Where Will Students Be Assigned?
Students from Mauldin Elementary, Pelham Road Elementary, and Sara Collins Elementary will be reassigned to Reedy Laurel. Once established, the school will funnel students into various middle and high schools, including Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle, Beck International Academy, J.L. Mann High Academy, and Southside High.
Why Are the Changes Necessary?
The alterations are prompted by an increase in the district’s student population and the need for school capacity adjustments. GCS’s media relations director Tim Waller explained that school attendance areas are “reviewed on an as-needed basis.” This kind of review often follows the opening of new facilities or expansions of existing schools.
Addressing Attendance Islands
In addition to the primary changes for Reedy Laurel Elementary, GCS seeks to resolve 18 “attendance islands”—areas disconnected from the main school attendance zones. The realignment also considers other essential factors such as transportation distances between students’ homes and their assigned schools. Some proposed boundaries may currently have zero students from GCS, highlighting the necessity for these revisions.
Keeping Parents Informed
Families affected by these changes will be directly notified by the district. GCS encourages parents and guardians to reach out with questions via email to planning@greenville.k12.sc.us by September 24. Additionally, the district is set to host public meetings to discuss the adjustments and gather feedback.
Next Steps
The input collected from these meetings will be crucial in drafting a final plan. This will be submitted to the Committee of the Whole on October 8, with the district’s Board of Trustees expected to review the proposal during their meeting on October 22.
The ongoing adjustments reflect GCS’s commitment to managing the growth of student enrollment while ensuring equitable access to educational resources. The changes aim to create a more effective school experience for students across the county.
Conclusion
As the district prepares for the opening of Reedy Laurel Elementary, it is essential to keep the community updated and involved in decisions that will shape the educational landscape of Greenville County. For further details on the new boundary proposals, residents can visit the GCS website.
