A SCHOOL WITH A MISSION
No organization can be successful without a well-defined purpose, a reason for existing, a mission. Wilson Hall is a school with a mission, and this mission is singular and simple: to prepare students for success in college. This is accomplished by providing a challenging curriculum in a structured, safe and nurturing atmosphere that promotes learning and growth at all levels of instruction.
In a positive environment rich in Judeo-Christian values, dedicated faculty members encourage students to develop a strong sense of ethics and values that are essential to being a productive citizen. Realizing that academics are not the only component to a quality education, community service, extracurricular activities and athletics are promoted to encourage the development of well-rounded and happy students.
With 100% of Wilson Hall's graduates accepted to a four-year college, with an average SAT score of 1136 for the Class of 2007, and with 97% of the graduates receiving over $7 million in merit-based college scholarships over the past three years, it is clear that Wilson Hall is successfully fulfilling its mission.
THE CAMPUS
Wilson Hall is located in historic Sumter, South Carolina, and is within ten minutes of Shaw Air Force Base. Situated on seventeen-acres in the western suburbs of Sumter, the school is surrounded by well-established residential neighborhoods. Although some students commute from surrounding towns and communities, over 90% of Wilson Hall's student body live in the Sumter area.
With the completion of the fourth phase of a major building project, Wilson Hall has one of the nicest campuses, which includes seven major buildings, in the region. In 2003, a new 6,400 square foot cafeteria and student center was opened, along with a new basketball concession area, gym foyer and lobby, restrooms and vending area as an addition to the gymnasium. A 2,500 square foot fitness center with the latest equipment was added to the gymnasium in 1996.
The lower school building has a 6,000 square foot addition of three first grade classrooms, music studio and covered patio that opened in the fall of 2001. The preschool/kindergarten building was remodeled and expanded in 1996, the middle school building had two new classrooms added in 2003, and the upper school building recently had its guidance and administrative offices remodeled.
As an addition to the library, the 4,000 square foot technology center that houses two networked computer labs with a total of 48 computers was opened in the fall of 2000. The fine/performing arts building had a studio renovated for the drama department in 2003.
The athletic facilities, which were completely renovated in 2001, include a newly paved track, a stadium with new seating for football and soccer, a new stadium for baseball, and a softball field. A new concession stand with restroom facilities was also completed in 2001.
The newly landscaped campus, with its large palmetto, pine and oak trees, provides a pleasant and serene setting in which to learn. Three playgrounds, an outdoor classroom, a memorial garden, and a covered patio with a landscaped lawn provide plenty of space for students to play, learn and relax while enjoying South Carolina's pleasant weather. In 2003, a half-acre landscaped green space located near the cafeteria and gymnasium was completed. It includes a shaded picnic area for students to eat lunch and host tailgate parties, as well as additional seating placed throughout the park-like area for after school use. In June of 2005, the lower school playground was completely refurbished with all new equipment.
In August of 2006 the school's largest construction project was completed. At over 12,800 square feet, the new addition includes the following: a media center for lower school students, an auditorium/multi-purpose room, three art studios, a photography studio with darkrooms for digital & chemical processing, a ceramics studio with a kiln, a drama classroom, and two middle school classrooms. The project also includes a renovated middle school science classroom and a separate middle school science laboratory, and a renovated media center for middle and upper school students. Attractive brick and wrought iron fencing was added, in addition to extensive landscaping.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do Wilson Hall's SAT scores compare to those of other schools in the area?
With an average SAT score of 1136 for the Class of 2007, Wilson Hall's average scores are well above the local, state and national averages and are the highest in Sumter County.
What percentage of Wilson Hall graduates are accepted to college?
All of our graduates must be accepted to a four-year college or university to graduate, so the answer is 100%. In addition, 97% of the graduates from the past three years received a merit-based scholarship, with the 139 students garnering over $7.3 million in scholarship offers.
What kind of colleges and universities grant acceptance to a Wilson Hall graduate?
The types of colleges that our alumni attend are as varied as the alumni themselves. Graduates attend Ivy League schools, such as Harvard, Penn and Princeton, as well as other top-ranked universities such as Johns Hopkins, Duke, Stanford, Emory and Vanderbilt. While many graduates attend the fine public institutions in our state, such as Clemson and USC, they also attend leading out-of-state schools like Virginia, UNC-Chapel Hill, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and NC State.
Are Wilson Hall's graduates prepared for college?
Judging by the success of our alumni, the answer is a resounding "yes" regardless of where they enroll. Approximately 75% of our graduates are named to the dean's list while in college, and nearly half of all alumni earn post-graduate degrees.
Can Wilson Hall students receive college credit while still in school?
Yes, with our Advanced Placement program, which gives students the opportunity to take a nationally standardized test to receive college credit. Wilson Hall offers 14 courses in which students may take the AP Exam, more than any school in the area. Over half of the Class of 2007 entered college with credit for one or more college courses, with some students starting with over 20 hours of college credit. This shows that a Wilson Hall education is an investment with a tangible return.
What are the sizes of the classes?
To ensure a close relationship between students and teachers, Wilson Hall has a policy that limits class size. The preschool classes are limited to 14 students, the kindergarten classes are limited to 18 students, the first and second grades are limited to 20 students, and the third through fifth grade classes are limited to 21 students. Because they have a wider variety of classes from which to choose, the middle and upper school classes can range in size from 4 - 24 students. Keep in mind that since the school screens its students for academic ability, all students in a class are taught at the same level.
Does the school offer before/after school care?
The school does not offer any before/after school care for its students. However, some local daycares and the YMCA will send a van to the campus for students who use their services.
Does the school provide transportation for its students?
While the school does provide transportation for field trips, extracurricular and athletic events, the school does not provide transportation to and from school for its students.
Are the school and its teachers accredited?
Wilson Hall is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and our teachers must have either certification by the state or teach in the area of their college major.
Are new students and families easily accepted?
Nearly one-fourth of each year's graduating class has attended Wilson Hall since preschool, which makes for a very stable, cohesive student body. However, new students are always welcomed and are made to feel a part of the Wilson Hall Family immediately. Events such as the pizza party sponsored by the Student Council and the tailgate party organized by the development office are held especially for new students and their families at the start of the school year. Current students and parents go out of their way to invite new students to birthday parties, pool parties and cookouts at the lake, for example, to ensure that the social transition is as smooth as possible.
Is Wilson Hall only for the wealthy?
Wilson Hall is an elite school academically, but not elitist socially. Students come from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Click here to view tuition information.
Does Wilson Hall have any religious affiliation?
No, Wilson Hall is an independent school. While a vast majority of our students and faculty are Christian, there are students who represent each of the major religions in the world, and these students are encouraged to express their beliefs as well. Wilson Hall does have a daily devotion and does have prayer before all special programs and events.
