- Glenforest School was founded in 1983 by Dr. Glenda Sternberg and located at 145 Calvin Drive, Columbia, S.C.
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 as an elementary school with four students and two teachers.
The school was originally named Distinctive Education Center (DEC) so the school could share the business telephone line for Distinctive Builders, owned by Glenda’s husband.
By 1990, DEC had outgrown the Calvin Drive location and moved to 700 Knox Abbott Drive in Cayce, S.C. The school started at the facility 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. Accreditation allowed public schools to accept DEC’s credits without question and sparked growth in the high school.
In 1994, DEC formed a sports program to compete in Division 1-A SCISA basketball. There were no tryouts for any sports, so any student who wished to play was on the team. To letter in a sport, a student had to participate in practice and attend the games. The atmosphere of inclusion remains an integral feature of the current sports program.
In 1995, DEC moved to 1831 Airport Boulevard in Cayce 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. “Glen” was chosen in honor of Glenda Sternberg. The name was selected by the students.
In 1997, a gym was built for the students to use for physical education and for the newly formed sports program.
In 1998, the Glenforest Bulldog varsity boys team, led by William Knopf, won the SCISA Division I-A State Championship!
In subsequent years, Glenforest School added girls volleyball and basketball teams, and boys varsity golf, soccer, track and baseball. Glenforest added middle school teams and intramural tennis.
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, S.C., located on the frontage road near the I-26 and Highway 378 exit, close to Lexington Medical Center. The new building, which is located on approximately 38 acres, has 35,000 square feet of office space, including a large auditorium for meetings.
In 2005, a baseball field and soccer practice field were added. The baseball field was named in memory of Michael Hutchins, one of the 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, a weight room, a gym with a wooden floor and a second floor for future expansion.
In 2005, the school renewed its SACS accreditation and acquired advanced SCISA accreditation.
In 2005, Dr. Glenda Sternberg retired from Glenforest School.
During the 2005-2006 school year, Glenforest School enrolled 131 students and had 35 staff members.
In May of 2006, Glenforest School adopted Claire, a rescued St. Bernard puppy, to be their therapy dog.
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, multisensory approach to learning.
In 2008, the construction class built an outdoor chicken coop for seven Bantam chickens.
In the 2008-2009 school year, the girls volleyball team made the state playoffs for the first time ever.
On February 14, 2009, three baby chicks were born in the chicken coop.
For the first time ever, the Lady Bulldogs won their region in SCISA basketball and made it to the state playoffs.