Providing a quality education for all children at Epworth Children’s Home is a priority. On occasion, children arrive at Epworth with a history of truancy and/or failing grades. This is most often due to educational neglect. Upon arrival, a number of the children are performing one or more grade levels below their peers. This is especially true for the older teens on campus.
In order for Epworth to achieve its purpose of breaking the destructive cycle of abuse, neglect and shame and replacing it with an opportunity for each child to live a life of self respect, responsibility and productivity, Epworth’s educational services reach beyond simply offering a traditional formal public education.
Elementary & Middle School
Elementary & Middle School aged children attend award winning public schools in the Richland I School District.
High School
High School aged children attend award winning schools in the Richland I School District. Students participate in regular classes as they work toward achieving their high school diploma. They also have the opportunity to participate in extra curricular activities such as sports, band or theatre.
Tutoring is also offered for all high school students who need to improve their grades and knowledge. Tutoring by a certified teacher is available to every child Monday through Thursday afternoons in the Barnes Learning Center which is located on Epworth’s campus. Children receive additional support for grade improvement and comprehension. In addition, volunteer tutors are available to residents within the cottage on a regularly scheduled basis. To become a tutor, please click here.
For more information, please contact Christy Mooneyhan, 803-312-8878
The Higher Education/Independent Living Initiative
The Higher Education/Independent Living Initiative is essential to making it possible for children to live with self-respect, responsibility and productivity. Recent research shows that less than two percent of foster children graduate from college. Over the past 5 years, Epworth students have graduated from Columbia College, the University of South Carolina, Spartanburg Methodist College, Winthrop and Benedict Colleges with bachelor and master degrees.
Graduating High School seniors are encouraged to continue their education by attending college or pursuing job skills training. Beginning in their junior year of high school, students visit colleges and receive guidance as they prepare for their life after high school. Seniors meet with the Higher Education director often to complete applications for college admission, scholarships and financial aid.
While in college, students may apply for scholarship funds from Epworth Children’s Home to attend a SC public or United Methodist College. Epworth maintains an apartment on campus for students who do not have family to visit over the holidays or school breaks. Students attending technical school may live on campus year round. Epworth also provides assistance with supplies, items needed for their dorm room, a small allowance and books.
Students are required to maintain a 2.0 GPA and employment in order to participate in the program. Students still receive birthday gifts and Christmas presents from their Epworth family, and continue to call Epworth “home”.
For more information, please contact Laurie Brandes, 803-256-7394
