‘SMALL BY DESIGN’ New Administrator: First Presbyterian Academy Grows Students, Not Size

First Presbyterian Academy doesn’t plan to be the largest school in Greenville County, but it does aspire to do big things in the lives of young people, says the school’s new administrator.

“This is a wonderful school community. We are small by design. We want to maintain that family feel,” says Dr. Rob Brown, who became Head of School in June.

“We are not just another school down the road, but a great school that is doing great things academically, within the arts, extracurriculars, athletics, and a full range of opportunities that allow students to grow.”

First Presbyterian Academy was founded seven decades ago as part of First Presbyterian Church on West Washington Street in Downtown Greenville. Six years ago, the school became its own 501(c)(3) and created a board of trustees.

“We are still a ministry of First Presbyterian Church,” says Brown, who was born in Spartanburg and grew up in the small town of Westminster in Oconee County. “But we're an independent organization. And that allowed the academy to begin thinking about expansion.”

The Christian school evolved again in 2019 when it purchased and merged with Shannon Forest Christian School, founded in 1968 on Garlington Road.

First Presbyterian Academy kept its name. But the academy now has two campuses: one at the church downtown; the other on Garlington Road.

Brown says the school would have been landlocked downtown, with no space for athletic fields or future expansion. “The board decided that growing at the Shannon Forest campus would be best. It really has facilitated growth.”

Adding the campus on Garlington Road also meant the church could use the proceeds from its capital campaign to replace an aging building with a theater-style worship and event center, new classrooms and a gymnasium – rather than finding space to expand the academy.

First Presbyterian Academy has about 100 children in K2, K3, K4 and kindergarten at the new church building downtown. (The church also operates a nursery school.) “We've been able to maintain a strong presence downtown at those grade levels,” Brown says.

As classes began this year, the campus on Garlington Road has about 500 students enrolled in K3, K4 and kindergarten through 12th grade. The property – called the Shannon Forest campus – has 15 acres on one side of the road and four acres on the other. The school is also considering the purchase of five adjacent acres for future growth and development.

Enrollment has increased by about 200 students since First Presbyterian Academy took over the campus, Brown says.

“We have great opportunities in front of us. But we want to be strategic, and we want to be intentional in how we grow. We’re not looking to be the largest school in Greenville. We love being a small school doing big things. That’s important to us,” he says.

“First Presbyterian Academy is one of the best-kept secrets in Greenville. People don't realize how strong our academic program is. We have students who are able to go to top-tier schools. They're getting into the schools of their choice,” he says.

The school conducts college tours, has advanced placement classes, and will begin offering more dual enrollment classes so that high school students can earn college credits.

“We have a great college counselor who works with our students during their junior and senior years. Throughout high school, we’re helping our students think about their academic plan and the courses they need,” Brown says.

The Ignite program challenges the most gifted elementary school pupils, he says, and the Excel program helps children with learning needs.

The Christian school also teaches students to think about the world biblically, Brown says.

“When we dive into teaching a novel in high school, we're able to talk about the themes and the syntax and the characterization and the plot development ... but to understand that biblically,” says Brown, who took the job at First Presbyterian Academy after 13 years at Southside Christian School.

“We’re able to do that in every subject. Literature. Math. Science. Social studies and history,” he says. “Whenever we leave out the scripture, whenever we leave out knowledge and understanding and recognition of who God is, I think we’re standing on something less than the truth. We talk about things that help our students become the best possible thinkers.”

The school also endeavors to help students “wrestle with their relationships with Jesus.” Not all of the school’s families are Christian. However, families must be open to having their children “educated in a biblical environment,” Brown says.

“We walk with students through the hard things that teenagers and young children deal with in today's culture. We come alongside them and speak truth into them, love them, help them grow and understand how to walk through life and their relationship with Jesus,” he says.

“We believe God has created each of our students with a future. They're going to be husbands and wives. They're going to be serving in their communities. They will work in vocations where they need important skills, not just math and English, but critical thinking, creativity, communication. We see our role as more than just preparing them academically. We’re preparing them for what God is calling them to in every area of life.”

Though Brown started college in a program designed for those preparing to enter seminary, he caught the teaching bug. His father, grandfather and siblings are all educators. He earned his doctorate in educational leadership while he was at Southside Christian.

Then, the culture of First Presbyterian Academy “grabbed my heart. I think it reminded me of the small town where I grew up. I love the people. I love the classrooms. We care about our students. Our teachers are fantastic,” he says.

“First Presbyterian Academy is challenging our students, providing great athletic opportunities, fine arts opportunities, and a well-rounded academic program committed to Christian education. We are working to help our students to be prepared for issues that don't even exist right now. And we're equipping them with eternity in mind. That’s our goal.”

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: ‘SMALL BY DESIGN’ New Administrator: First Presbyterian Academy Grows Students, Not Size