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May 20, 2012  |  Email This Page

What has been achieved by Cherokee County Public Schools falls in direct contrast to the stereotypical perception of a rural community, and would seem impossible if it weren't true.

The GHS field "The Reservation" on left; State Championship games are held at USC's Williams-Bryce Stadium.  The Indians dominated Columbia Irmo 45-0 in the title game to end an undefeated season in 2006-2007.

A smaller county winning such awards and creating "The School of Champions" did so by being resourceful, proving it's who has the most money.  Dedicated and caring administrative leadership and teachers, supported by parents and a close-knit community, played the biggest role in achieving this success!

SDS (above left) boasts a rigorous curriculum but an emphasis on a love of learning vs. being "results
focused," an Honor Code enforced by the students themselves, and their graduates are a testament to this
altruistic approach put into practice.

Private Schools and College Preparatory Academies of the highest caliber are also available to families in Cherokee County, and featured in our presentation are Oakbrook Academy, The Village School, and Spartanburg Day School – SDS has produced an incredible 17 National Merit-recognized scholars in its 3 small graduating classes between 2003-2005.  Included in our presentation is our discussion with Upper School Headmaster Marcel Gauthier, who discusses the school's inspiring philosophy and Honor Code.

Gaffney is also a college town with a charming campus located within our Historic District. Limestone College – the largest accredited private college in South Carolina, is featured below with President Walt Griffin, PhD.  Spartanburg Technical College is now in Cherokee County with a new campus designed to support our growth by providing pre-college curriculum to our high school students, continuing education for adults, and technical workforce training to support our growing local industry.

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Cherokee County Public Schools:

The School of Champions
(From left, GHS Principal Quincie Moore, PhD, with Seniors Malcolm Long, Silas Copeland,
Morgan Hughey, and Devan Bolf)

 

Features:

Meet Sierra Cutchin GHS graduate now at Clemson Click Here

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Private Schools and Academies:

"Bringing a full scope of judgment to learning vs. conforming to the simplest standard."
(Spartanburg Day School's Marcel Gauthier, center, Upper School Headmaster, with Seniors Hunter
Brown and Kathleen Sovenyhazy)

Features:

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 Limestone College:

A Limestone production in Fullerton Auditorium, left, and the new Physical Education facility

Limestone College represents more than its economic impact of $34 million on Cherokee County.  We all enjoy its cultural contributions and co-sponsorship with the Arts Council, as well as recitals and shows performed by the Art and Music departments in Fullerton Auditorium, a 1000-seat performance center on campus.  Limestone College Theater performs up to 4 full productions per year, from Shakespeare to Little Shop of Horrors.

The Saints' athletic teams are members of NCAA Division II – the Lacrosse team is a 2-time National Champion.

Founded in 1845 as the first college for women in South Carolina, part of the main administration building is the former Limestone Springs resort hotel – adjacent to the campus is an old Limestone quarry whose history pre-dates the founding of Gaffney.  A stone from the quarry was placed in the foundation of the Washington Monument during its construction in the 1840s.

Limestone boasts a student-teacher ratio of just 10.5-to-1, and there are more than 100 scholarships available to Cherokee County students each year.  Limestone has totally modernized, offering Internet extended campus and night programs for adults, to complement its day school student population, and recently opened its new Physical Education Center.

Our community's relationship with Limestone for more than 150 years is historical and special; few counties with a population of just 50,000 can boast having a 4-year college and its resources!

 Walt Griffin, PhD
President
Limestone College
Video Welcome, Campus and Aerial Tour Photos, Brochures

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Spartanburg Technical/Community College:

SCC impacts more than 20,000 college and non-traditional students in the Upstate in degree, diploma, and certificate programs – the vital role of training technicians in high-tech and automotive fields, as well as nursing programs, begin at SCC.  As Cherokee County grows, there is growing need for more mechanics, heating & air conditioning repair persons, and nursing and office professionals, to name a few.

In 2005 construction began on the new 62-acre Cherokee County campus, and the 1st of 3 main buildings was completed in 2006: the 13,000 SF Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) building.  In 2007 the 14,430 SF Manufacturing and Training Facility will serve the continuing education needs of business and industry in Cherokee County.  Also in 2007 is the college's 22,000 SF Academic Building.  More than $4.5 million will be invested to establish a formal SCC campus and education/industry support complex in our County.

Rita Melton, DMD, BSN
Dean of SCC Health and Human Services
Photo Tour of Health Sciences Building

 

Yet another sign of our growth as well as growth regarding education €“ the 2007-2008 Cherokee County Campus
of Spartanburg Community College, located off of an access road to I-85 in our community

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Other Colleges and Universities:

The major universities in South Carolina are USC (in Columbia, under a 2 hour drive from Gaffney) of the Southeastern Conference, with affiliate universities which include the likes of University of Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, and Alabama, and Clemson University, a primarily Engineering, Agricultural and Sciences University of the Atlantic Coast Conference, with affiliates which include Duke, Wake Forest, University of North Carolina, and University of Miami – these are arguably the 2 all-around best major university conferences in America.

Clemson is located in Upstate South Carolina and under 90 miles from Gaffney.  Global automotive giant BMW teamed with Clemson and the State to establish the International Center for Automotive Research – more than 125 automotive companies are in the Upstate, and advanced manufacturing is also significant here, including Gaffney's Timken.

On the technological landscape, Clemson will invest a total of $70 million in COMSET, the Center for Optical Materials Science and Engineering Technologies.  Leading the future of "technological intelligence," this center will be an academic focal point for optic fiber and related photonic materials, and electron imaging studies.  COMSET's  $21 million Advanced Materials Lab studies include electron microscopy, nanotechnology, and fuel-related research.  Clemson also offers South Carolina's 1st undergraduate Genetics degree and is only 1 of 10 nationally offering a PhD in this field.

USC-Upstate in Spartanburg, and private colleges Wofford and Converse, are within a 30 minute drive from Cherokee County.

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The first schools in our regions consisted of one room and rarely operated for more than 2 or 3 months per year.  They were poorly attended, especially during periods of bad weather, and students often walked miles to school each day. There was only one teacher and all students were taught at the same time, regardless of age or grade level.

The Possum Trot School was built in 1880 on a site near what is now 1-85, and was relocated by The Cherokee County Historical Society near the Peachoid water tower. The school was restored in 1969 by Louise Phifer Camp to honor her husband, Wofford Benjamin Camp, who attended school there. Present Cherokee County students and other visitors can visit Possom Trot School to learn how their ancestors went to school.

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Resources and Credit:
In order of appearance:
www.cherokee1.k12.sc.us/schools/index.htm
www.sdsgriffin.org
www.tvsgaffney.org
www.oakbrookprep.org
www.limestone.edu
www.stcsc.edu
www.sc.edu
www.clemson.edu
www.uscupstate.edu
www.wofford.edu
www.converse.edu

Football photos from GHS archives
Upstate Alliance
Cherokee County Chamber

Every photo was taken specifically for this presentation during a 5 day visit.  Unlike many company websites and recruitment materials, in this presentation there are no "stock" photos or images that aren't authentic.  Upstate Carolina MC wishes to thank so many people from our area schools and colleges who took time to participate in this presentation for you!

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