Savannah Christian Prep

We have three children at SCPS (1 at Chatham Pkwy and 2 at Derenne) and could not be happier. The mix of a Christian education and top notch academic curriculum are exactly what we want for our children. As for the person who said there is nothing for gifted children, there are accelerated and honors classes as early as middle school. My daughter's 7th grade accelerated math class is equivalent to 10th or 11th grade work. If you have any doubt just look at the schools that SCPS grads get accepted to. I realize it isn't cheap but if you put your child's education as a priority then I highly recommend that you at least check out SCPS.
—Submitted by a parent

Lower School Chatham Parkway Campus: Too many kids in each class, too many women teachers and faculty, lack of ability to inspire students. Not worth the money! Had a child at SCPS for most of his lower school education. A LOT of homework & parents have to be a large part fo the learning process, which is good! BUT,some of the teachers & administration act really snobby, & nothing but women in the lower school makes it hard to control rambunctious boys (and makes it a little caddy too). Took my child out and put him in Pooler Elementary for 5th grade. Actually had one of the staff tell me that SCPS may not be the place for him (even though he made straight A's)because I asked them to help him remember to bring the books home he needed to for homework. I called a conference about it & made a big stink out of her terrible choice of words. After that, it was almost as if he was targeted. Pooler Public School had Smaller class sizes, a para-pro in with the teacher,staff that truly cared, loved their jobs,&inspired their students. If I had to do it all over again, I'd save the money I spent at SCPS. He met some great friends and had a 'some' great teachers but not enough.
—Submitted by a parent

Having graduted from SCS myself there was no doubt in my mind where my children would attend school. I have 2 children that attended SCPS from K - 12th grades. Not only does SCPS provide an excellent college preparatory curriculum it also provides a Christian environment. I highly recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Lower School Academic curriculum is great. Smart Boards, spanish, latin, bible, art, band...all excellent! Administration is so/so. There are some teachers there that you can tell have been there too long. They have no patience for elementary school children. Some of them are fantastic, but when I walk the hallways and hear the yelling that the others do, or have these conferences and listen to some of the silly things those few complain about...makes me want to say, "stop whining and TEACH these children. Who is the child, you or them?" ugh...My child has an excellent, new teacher to the SCPS family this year so no complaints there. Principal is fantastic. Counselor is a joke. Not sure what she even gets paid for. And to the parents that say SCPS doesn't have the set up for children who fall behind or have any mild needs, they are absolutely right.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a child in the lower school at the Chatham Parkway campus. We have been there for a while now and see improvements each year. For those of you concerned about fundraising, SCPS evaluated their fundraising opportunities and drastically cut back on the amount of money that they ask you and your children to contribute/raise. (No more candy bars!!!) This past school year we were asked to contribute to things like Haiti relief on a voluntary basis only. Although I cannot speak for issues with the Middle and Upper Schools, I can say that Dr. Palmer and her faculty/staff at the Lower School are excellent and make every child feel important. I would say that you get out of any school exactly what you put into it, both socially and academically. This would apply to any school anywhere, both public and private. For my money, SCPS is a steal.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been a student at SCPS since third grade. In my experience I have found that the quality of education you receive is fully dependent on the amount of work you put forth in each class. If a student puts enormous effort into a class, then he or she will reap the most benefits; but if a student slacks off and does not complete or even attempt his or her work, then that child can expect not to gain anything from the course. I am currently enrolled in numerous AP classes and have gained enlightenment in every subject I have studied. Savannah Christian is a great school for just about any child, if that child is willing to work hard and earn their education.

Not recommended if your child is gifted or needs extra help. This school is great for the average child but does not provide the additional programs for gifted or children who struggle with learning.
—Submitted by a parent

I dont know about the person who felt 'descriminated against' but that sounds more like a personal problem then 1 with the school...and second i've never been able to use cell phones or computer for personal use, its very strict and if he/she went to another school i bet they'd be alot more disappointed..but SCPS is great and the best if your into sports
—Submitted by a student

My child is in the 9th grade at scps. He has attended since kindergarden and i can not say enough good about scps. It is an awesome school and my child has thrived every year. The theachers are first rate and my child is getting a solid education that is preparing him to attend any college that he chooses.
—Submitted by a parent

I have attended SCPS for 7 years. Although parents are impressed, I, a student, am not. I felt a feeling of discrimination, and lacked oppurtunities I could have seeked elsewhere. The classes are very slack in effort. We used cellphones and computers for personal use, although rules state otherwise. However, it was better then few other schools. But in my effort, equivalent to a public school.
—Submitted by a student

The school has current technology in classrooms. Very impressed coming from West Chatham Ele.
—Submitted by a parent

Prepares students for college extraordinarily well. Real curriculum with AP and Advanced studies. Unlike some 'Art' schools which have a more liberal arts curriculum for higher evaluation of GPAs.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with many of the parents who have stated that SCPS is too involved with fund-raising. I went to two orientation meetings this year and both of them devoted almost 20 minutes to fund-raising. I have a third-grader who is struggling in reading and math. Her teacher seems concerned and has given my child and some others in the class who are also falling behind some extra time for math once a week. I appreciate this but do not think this enough. I have to pay for a tutor 2x a week. She is getting no help from the school for her problems in reading. I like the school, but am sometimes disapointed. I am considering public school for next year.
—Submitted by a parent

My dauughter will be in the 5th grade at SCPS this year. I am happy overall but there are some exceptions. They are going overboard with fundraising and building on campus and losing their focus. Too many worksheets and not enough process oriented/guided inquiry learning is used by teachers. Teachers care about the students, but, there are few options for my daughter who it at the top of the class and often not challenged. They need enrichment programs for the gifted such as drama and more science and math oriented advanced programs. Why is there no lower school or 4/5th grade choir? They need more/better art and music programs. Discipline is good. The PTF is horrible and stuck in a rut...no one will dare to sell anything but stupid candy bars and I hate those candy bars, i refuse to sell them.
—Submitted by a parent

SCPS is a wonderful school. It teaches you good academics and how to excel in everytihng you do in life. It is by far the best school in the are.
—Submitted by a student

SCPS is average at best. I am a parent of three boys. If your child can learn at a fast paced without much help from teachers they will do well. There is not much guidance to teachers or parents from administration.
—Submitted by a parent

I currently have two students at SCPS and I have been very pleased. My oldest started in kindergarden and is now in fourth grade. My youngest started in Pre-K and is now in first grade. My oldest is an above average student and has been challenged. The teachers go above their call of duty with communication to parents which helps create a positive learning environment. My youngest has been diagnosis with ADD and the school has been on top of my childs academic progress. The teachers have gone above my expectations with helping my youngest focus. Both of my children scored well above average with their overall test scores. I feel my children are receiving a quality education.
—Submitted by a parent

I currently have one child at SCPS and I am not very pleased. Everything about this school is average from teachers to lesson plans. There is no effort to make learning an experience. Instead, the students are given worksheet after worksheet to complete. There are no signs of creativity. Students color with crayons in Art. The administration's focus is on high school athletics and fund raising. If Calvary builds a school in the same vicinity, maybe the school will improve due to competition. We are at SCPS simply because there are no other options available to us at this time.
—Submitted by a parent

I am former student. My daughter has been a student for the past three years and attends first grade currently. The school overall is very good quality for money spent. The teacher quality is average. The attention to individual student needs is spread thin, I believe more emphasis needs to be placed in this area. Some of the teachers do not respond to email correspondence. Overall I am please with Savannah Christian. They are striving to improve daily.
—Submitted by a parent

The academics are terrific, the students learn new concepts earlier than many other schools. However, they have a mediocre arts program. The athletics are teriffic, we have one of the best football teams in Savannah. The high school has a sufficient number of clubs and organizations. Savannah Christian is the type of school in which the teacher will teach something, and if one doesn't pick it up right away, he/she fall way behind. Because of this, many of the classes are fast-paced and are pretty productive. However, this school makes no allowances for kids who have AD/HD, or some other learning disability. Such kids are constantly berated by a few teachers who make no attempt to understand him.These teachers' solution to kids who are struggling is to point out their faults as opposed to being proactive. Gifted students thrive there, and have many more opportunities toexcel.
—Submitted by a parent