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Glenforest School History
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- Glenforest School was founded in 1983 by Dr. Glenda Sternberg.
- She founded the school to help students, who, like her own daughter, were falling through the “cracks” of the public school system.
- Glenforest School was started with 4 students and 2 teachers, as an elementary school.
- The school was originally named Distinctive Education Center (DEC) so the school could share Glenda’s husband’s telephone line. He owned “Distinctive Builders.”
- By 1990, DEC had outgrown the 145 Calvin Drive location and moved to 700 Knox Abbott Drive in Cayce, South Carolina. The school started with 30 students and ended with 55 students.
- In 1993, DEC obtained 501c(3) status and Glenda gave the school that she founded back to the community. A School Board now oversees the school.
- DEC achieved its Southern Association of Schools and Colleges (SACS) accreditation in 1994. This allowed public schools to accept our credits without question, and started a big growth in the high school.
- In 1994, DEC formed a sports program to compete in Division 1-A SCISA basketball. There are no tryouts for any sports, so any student who wishes to play is on the team. To letter in a sport, a student has to participate in practice and attend the games.
- In 1995, DEC moved to 1831 Airport Boulevard, because the school had outgrown its current building. The school opened with 45 students and closed with 90 students.
- A few years after moving to the new campus, the name was changed to Glenforest School from DEC. “Glen” stands for Glenda. The name was selected by the students.
- In 1997, a gym was built for our students to use in physical education, and our newly formed sports program.
- In 1998, the Glenforest Bulldog varsity boy’s team, led by William Knopf, won the SCISA Division 1-A State Championship!
- Glenforest School now has girls volleyball and basketball teams, varsity golf, soccer, track, and a baseball team. Glenforest also has middle school teams and intramural tennis.
- Glenforest School colors are blue and gold. The mascot is the bulldog and our sport’s motto is “REFUSE TO LOSE.”
- 85% of Glenforest graduates have been accepted into colleges of their choosing including USC, Clemson, The Citadel, University of Chicago, Midlands Technical College, and other four-year and two-year colleges.
- 40% of the staff is male and most of the staff has been at Glenforest School for 5 years or longer.
- In 1998, Glenda Sternberg won the Jeanette Fleishman Award from the Council of Exceptional Children. One award per year is given to one individual nationally for outstanding contributions in the field of learning disabilities.
- In 1999, Glenforest School won the Allyn and Bacon Award from the Council for Exceptional Children for outstanding program in the nation.
- In 1999, two Glenforest teachers received a grant from GTE for $35,000 to create an environmental science program.
- In 2003, Glenforest School moved to 1041 Harbor Drive in West Columbia, South Carolina. It is located on the frontage road near the I-26 and Highway 378 exit, close to Lexington Medical Center.
- The new building has 35,000 square feet of office space. It includes a large auditorium for meetings and is located on approximately 38 acres of land.
- In 2005, a baseball field and soccer practice field were added. The baseball field was named in memory of Michael Hutchins, one of their seniors.
- In the fall of 2005, a state-of-the-art student wellness center was added to the campus. It includes a new lunch room, weight room, and gym with a wooden floor. It also has a second floor for future expansion.
- In 2005, the school renewed its SACS accreditation and has an advanced SCISA accreditation.
- In 2005, Dr. Glenda Sternberg retired from Glenforest School.
- The following year, Paul Risinger was the interim school head until the right person could be found to replace Dr. Sternberg.
- During the 2005-2006 school year, Glenforest School enrolled 131 students and had 35 staff members.
- In April of 2006, Dr. Gillian Barclay-Smith, became the new Head of Glenforest School.
- In May of 2006, Glenforest School adopted Claire, a rescued St. Bernard puppy to be their therapy dog.
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- In August of 2006, Project Read, a remediation reading program targeted specifically for dyslexic students, was introduced. Project Read is affiliated with the Orton Gillingham method of teaching reading.
- The school year 2007-2008 introduced the “CORE KNOWLEDGE” curriculum in Grades 1 – 8. Core Knowledge curriculum embraces a rich, multi-sensory approach to learning.
- In August of 2007, “Captain Jack,” a rescued kitten, joined the staff.
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