Laurens Academy

3515 Highway 49

Laurens, SC 29360

14 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK, K-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 10, 2025

Before I begin, this school deserves 0 stars but that was not an option so I had to give it 1. Nothing at the school is orderly and makes my kids come home crying every day. No teacher cares about the students or the work they are doing. The material being taught is all over the place and the teachers' actions CANNOT keep being excused. The way the teachers (especially middle and high school) treat their students is unacceptable. There is constant attitude and unclear directions on top of very bipolar personalities. Cleanliness is very questionable in all aspects as well. Everything in the school makes me ponder on the thought of withdrawing my children. Don't send your kids here for their own sake.
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2022

My kids attend this school and we love it.
Submitted by other on May 01, 2016

Having taught locally in both public and private schools, my husband and I chose Laurens Academy for our children . We are especially pleased with the foundation they have each received in both reading and math . Academically, the school consistently scores above the stat average in standardized testing. In the upper school, we have appreciated the efforts of staff to create a cohesive atmosphere among students that fosters camaraderie and builds friendships as well as the intensity of the academic experience. It was a decision we will never regret.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2016

Having been part of the Laurens Academy community for years, I can review this school with a perspective that others may lack. One of my children who graduated from Laurens Academy will soon graduate from college. This child chose an out of state school after applying to, being accepted at, and receiving academic scholarship offers from 7 colleges in 3 states. ACT/SAT scores for my children have included a 29 and a 1350 and scholarship awards include the SC Palmetto Fellow Scholarship. An LA student recently received a near perfect score on the math portion of the SAT. High school curriculum starts with basic classes and includes electives such as music, art, and PE in the 9th grade year. From there the difficulty increases as dual enrollment classes begin in the 11th grade. Students graduate with up to 34 hours of college credit. Physics, College Algebra, and Foreign Language are included in the high school curriculum. Beginning in middle school all papers for all classes are completed in the MLA format. Parents of students who have transferred to Laurens Academy have remarked to me that their child has struggled to catch up because our Language Arts curriculum is ahead of where they were. I overheard a transfer student bemoaning his grades saying, "I made all A's at my other school."Not every school is a perfect fit for every student (or family) and not everyone has the same experience. Some people change schools regularly looking for that perfect place For my family Laurens Academy has been a place where they have been cared for and educated well. The proof is in the product and I have seen the results.
Submitted by parent on October 03, 2015

This school has the worst standards I have ever seen. The high school students do not write papers in English! Most of them do not know MLA format! They do not understand sentence structure, nor do many of them know a noun from a verb from an adverb! IN HIGH SCHOOL!! This alone would be bad enough, but the irresponsibility does not stop there. The students are allowed to retake tests if they do not like their grade. The exact same test! The teachers are allowed to teach at a snail's pace, literally only covering 4 or 5 chapters the entire year in crucial subjects such as Algebra II. They do not have Pre-Cal, Calculus or Physics. They have no Honors or AP classes because their students could not pass anything more difficult than CP classes due to the lack of any true academic foundation. Most of the classes do not even rise to that level. The parents there do not realize that CP are the lowest level college prep classes available. Their guidance counselor actually says proudly that they make their classes as easy as possible so their students can have high GPA's! Any serious educator knows this is utterly absurd! So...most of the students make A's and B's because it is so easy, but make poor scores on ACT and SAT tests because they are in reality so poorly prepared. Most seniors are not accepted by strong colleges because they are simply not competitive against students from real schools with much stronger academic records. Students can boycott teachers by being rude, disrespectful, and completely shunning the teacher and what happens? THEY GET A NEW TEACHER! This school is doing a disservice to every student and the parents and board members need to wake up and look at the reality of the curriculum and the standards. A teacher at my child's new school told me that the math my child was taught at Laurens Academy was, in her words, "A TRAVESTY." The only reason I gave one star is because 0 stars was not an option.
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2015

I am a current teacher in the public school system and I CHOOSE to send my children here. Education is not a one size fits all and there are no "perfect" schools. I am very glad that Laurens Academy was available as an education choice for my family. I encourage every parent to visit Laurens Academy to see if it would be a good fit for your child. We chose Laurens Academy for its small class size, flexibility of dual -credit classes, and the variety of sports offered.
Submitted by parent on February 05, 2015

We just re-enrolled our k4, soon to be proud K5, at Laurens Academy. We looked at comparable schools in 2 surrounding counties and they weren't comparable to us! The balanced environment of not too much of any one thing (spiritual life, academics, ect.) sold us. Get the Admissions lady (Mrs. Kirk) to give you a tour, info on test results, info on curriculum, and where their graduates end up. Don't just call them! You have to go see it!
Submitted by teacher on December 02, 2014

Having worked in the public school system as well as in the private Christian school sector, I joined the teaching staff of Laurens Academy knowing very little about the school. I was initially impressed by its structure as a college prep school in a Christian environment--a model that is not used nearly enough today. I continue to be blown away by the academic standards and success of LA, the excellent structure maintained across the curriculum and within classroom routines, and the kind, loving, enthusiastic spirits of the administrators, my fellow staff, and the students and families. As a mother and a teacher, I recommend Laurens Academy as strongly as I possibly can to all interested parties. This school is truly unique and a gem amid today's deteriorating education system.
Submitted by parent on April 16, 2014

I'm thankful that Laurens Academy is in our county and provides an education alternative to families in our area. I want to congratulate the administrators, faculty and staff on recently receiving SACS accreditation which I know from experience requires meeting and maintaining very high standards in the classroom as well as in administration and school operations. I have been very pleased in the education my children received at Laurens Academy. They were able to graduate from college early or on time due to the 30+ college credit hours they earned while in high school. They also felt more prepared than their peers due having taken college classes while in high school. I have been excited to watch this school grow and adapt to the changing culture and economic conditions while staying true to their mission and continuing to provide a college prep education in a Christian environment. Their continued success in national standardized testing proves their curriculum is right on target, the SACS accreditation gives the educational stamp of approval on an International level and as a parent I can attest to the money spent as being a sound and successful investment. Great School!
Submitted by other on April 09, 2014

I am a current student and I would not send my children to Laurens Academy
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2014

Couldn't be more excited! My Laurens Academy student has been offered $84,000 in scholarship money from an area college in addition to the $28,000 he has earned in lottery scholarships! WooHoo!
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2014

Laurens Academy is NOT the school it used to be! my children have been there since K4 and now are in High school at Laurens Academy. Over the past couple of years it has been a revolving door for teachers. As far as the teachers (middle & high school) that are there at present I can think of only two that actually care about the students and if the kids are learning. Jobs are made for certain a family so that their daughters may have a job, also it seems like parents are getting jobs to cut their tuition fees!! The athletic director needs to decide want he wants to be, a AD, coach or teacher! I have faith and hope that things will change for the better. Laurens Academy has the potential to be the school it once was!! The Head Master is a wonderful person who LOVeS all the kids and the school, he is what I believe makes Laurens Academy, but i do believe the board needs to overhaul the teachers at the middle & high school levels. These kids deserve more, they are our future! I would be willing to pay double what we pay now if it meant our children received a better education. Laurens County needs this school We wanted to send our children here and hope it gets out of this slump!!
Submitted by teacher on November 28, 2013

As someone who has been part of the faculty at Laurens Academy, I can tell you the parents who believe the school is such a fantastic place have been completely mislead. The education most of these kids receive is basically a joke. Sports are king at the school, and it is made clear to the faculty that less-than-stellar grades could negatively affect a student's class rank, but more importantly, his or her ability to participate in sports. Bullying is also rampant. The environment of gifting good grades promotes an overwhelming sense of entitlement and apathy in the students which is clear in many of them. For example, some students come in to class, sit down, and proceed to place their feet on other chairs in a reclined position. Some of these same students will look their teachers directly in the eye and say, "I don't do that," referring to doing the subject matter or work associated with that class. Furthermore, the school is NOT a "Christian" school, and the administration make that clear. Specifically, they bill themselves as having a, "Christian Environment." Basically, the faculty and staff are expected to be "good" people, which is very different than being Christian.
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2010

Small classes, great teachers, family environment/feeling, college prep, it's great!
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2010

Offers a college preparatory curriculum in a Christian environment. Hands-on curriculum offers traditional classroom instruction as well as opportunities on and off campus to provide enrichment for all students.
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2010

I love the small classes and the fact that the teachers really know your child. I love the fact that we have dual enrollment. When my child enters college she will already be a sophomore.
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2010

Great supportive school - love the administration, staff, and faculty. Small classes and college courses beginning in 11th grade. But still a fun place!
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2010

Small class sizes, college prep and christian environment.
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2010

Love this school, the teachers, and administration. Small classes where teachers can really get to know your kids. Dual enrollment will allow my children to start college as sophomores. Can't say enough wonderful things about Laurens Academy!
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2010

I was looking for a school with a smaller class room setting, Caring Teachers, and a Good Curriculum with a Christian Environment, I found all of this and More in Laurens Academy. My Husband and I have been more than Pleased and have recommended LA to other Parents. It's a Wonderful School, I believe my Child will benefit Greatly from His experience at LA.