About Berea Elementary School
Welcome to Berea Elementary, a Title 1 public school nestled in the heart of Greenville, South Carolina. Established in 1999, Berea serves approximately 520 students from 5K through grade five and is one of 53 elementary schools in the Greenville County Schools district. Our facilities include 34 classrooms, a gymnasium, a media center, a science lab, and a computer lab.
At Berea Elementary, we are committed to fostering a learning environment that prioritizes student engagement and achievement through innovative programs. Each year, every grade level participates in our Artist in Residency program, where students have the opportunity to work closely with professional artists. Our unique school garden program allows students to grow their own food, integrating hands-on learning with environmental stewardship. Additionally, our revitalized nature trail is a cherished part of our campus, providing students with opportunities for movement and outdoor learning throughout the day.
Please visit our School Profile to learn more about Berea Elementary!
History
Berea School was built on land purchased in 1855. The building was located on White Horse road (Hwy 25) in northwestern Greenville County. Three trustees directed the operations. Then, in 1916, a new chapter began for this little two room school. It was moved to the intersection of two roads-Farr’s Bridge and Sulphur Springs. There, it literally became a cornerstone of the Berea Community. As the community grew, it was necessary to purchase approximately three acres of land and rebuild the school under The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) program in 1939. A larger building was constructed with classrooms and a lunchroom in the basement. Then a potato house and an agriculture building with a cannery were added for the high school students.
The next chapter for this little neighborhood school began in 1952 when Greenville County consolidated its schools. Just nine years later, 1961, Berea High School students were moved to a new location. The little red brick school continued to house first though sixth grade students. Soon, that too would change. In 1970, the sixth graders were moved to a new location because the Greenville County School System began its plan of integration. The Berea community and Berea Elementary School opened their doors to welcome a diverse population of families. The school’s doors opened wider in 1973 when kindergarten boys and girls began attending for half of each school day.
With the growth in population in the northwest area, plans were begun to close the school in the 1980’s. Many times, these plans were changed, even into the 1990’s. You see, the Berea community did not want their elementary students to be separated and moved to three other nearby schools … they wanted to keep their beloved school. But, something had to be done… the old school’s construction was not suitable anymore, and there were very few modern conveniences with the school. No matter how many times the carpenters, painters, and maintenance workers came to do their repairs, the building was just plain old. Once again, more land was purchased-nearly nineteen acres, this time. Then, in 1998, the new Berea Elementary celebrated the opening of many new doors, which are even wider and much more modern, to embrace the 568 students, 70 staff members, and the community, who just love being here. Although the bricks are not red, and the intersection of Parker Road and Berea Drive are the new location, Berea Elementary School remains a cornerstone of the Berea community.
Mission and Beliefs
Our mission, in partnership with families and the community, is to provide innovative and accessible programs that encourage creative expression and reflect our cultural diversity.
We believe that:
- A standards-based curriculum and instruction should meet the needs of all students, utilizing innovative practices and the arts.
- All students deserve an inclusive, accessible, and culturally rich learning environment.
- Every student deserves a quality education that emphasizes engagement and the visual, performing, and literary arts.
- Arts instruction plays a crucial role in developing motor skills, language skills, social skills, decision-making, risk-taking, and confidence.
At Berea Elementary, we are dedicated to ensuring that our students achieve success both academically and through the arts.