Coker College’s influence on our lives in Hartsville is unmistakable, a computer lab in Darlington County Schools, and Headmaster Em Hubbard at Trinity Collegiate School – on a mission to be the best college preparatory school in South Carolina

The “education culture” and school options for families in Hartsville are also impressive. Coker College continues to rack up commendations and recognitions as one of the best small liberal arts colleges in the southeast – its 1,100 students are from 27 states and 9 foreign countries.  Coker’s average class size is 12 students, and 88% of its faculty has obtained the highest degrees in their fields.  Coker’s influence on Hartsville is significant and evident socially, economically, and culturally. The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (with inclusion but a lesser focus on the humanities) hosts more than 200 high school students who descend upon Hartsville from throughout the state – considered to be some of the top high school students in these disciplines, they are all college bound and live on campus full-time.  The growing, ornate campus is separated from Coker College by a new Railroad Avenue Park adjacent to Downtown Hartsville.

• Like Coker College, this institution and its programs add a great deal to Hartville – their administrative staff and professors are some of the best educators in our state who choose to live and work here – they patronize our hospital and local stores, and their children are in our schools and community programs.

The Darlington County School District (DCSD) is a model of modernized rural public education. Reviewed below, DCSD has established seven “magnet” schools from elementary through high school, including an International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum at Hartsville High School. As Darlington is just 15 miles from Hartsville, all the magnet schools are accessible.

• DCSD’s magnet schools provide elite educational programs and standards in a free public school environment.

• Additionally, the Darlington County Institute of Technology (DCIT) is a state-of-the-art school designed to provide technical certifications for high school graduates who choose these career paths, prepared to immediately begin their careers or use the school credit to jump-start their technical knowledge upon matriculation into college.

We boast fine private academies, Emmanuel Christian School offers a Christian educational setting and boasts test scores that compare favorably to those of The Governor’s School along with robust sports and extracurricular calendars, while Trinity Collegiate School has as its singular focus is on preparing its students to thrive in college. Thomas Hart Academy is another private (preK-8) school that has grown its reputation as a preferred non-religious private school.

Half of Thomas Hart Academy’s earned National Merit status, DCSD’s Magnet Mayo Science and Math was named a “Top 100 School” by US News, and Emmanuel Christian offers a powerhouse combination of academics and sports with Christian teachings

Key Educators and Local Teachers:

“The small-town character of this friendly community is unusual, since it is combined with a large number of highly educated and talented people with the medical community, Sonoco, the Governor’s School, and Coker College.  Hartsville is a small town with a sophisticated, open-minded flair.” – Murray Brockman, PhD

“Our area is more cosmopolitan and progressive than its reputation may indicate. It is also a generous community with a noticeable absence of pretense. I have lived and worked in Savannah, GA, and Beaufort, SC… I find the Pee Dee region to be on par with, or superior to, those areas in terms of the quality of life.” – Em Hubbard

“The Springtime here is when the flowers are absolutely gorgeous: azaleas, dogwoods, tulip trees, and fruit trees. The colors are awesome. It is like being in a fairy land.” – Donna Barrett

“New residents will like how Hartsville has a broad socioeconomic spectrum: good country folks, farmers, Fortune 500 company executives, college professors, medical professionals, retirees, and life-long residents – we attract people from all over the country; we have a very eclectic population.” – Charlie Burry

Murray Brockman, PhD President Governor’s School An elite school drawing the very best from our state Dr. Brockman’s Welcome

Steven Terry Vice-President Coker College An historical college with national recognition Coker’s Influence!

Rev. Gary Kolbach Administrator Emmanuel Christian From South Florida and on being welcomed First time “Small Towner”

Em Hubbard, Jr. Headmaster Trinity Collegiate Savannah born & bred now preferring the Pee Dee Meet Trinity’s Leader

Audrey Childers Public Information Officer Darlington County Schools SACS accreditation like private schools & competing! Audrey’s Invitation to You

Patricia “Pat” Toney Principal Southside Childhood Ctr. Stewarding a special school for our youngest Accomplished sons

Donna Barrett Principal Carolina Elementary On the easy commute volunteering, & great recipes abound!

Charlie Burry Principal Hartsville High School Raised in Hartsville from Basketball Coach to Principal

Coker College
History, Accolades, & a 100 year relationship with Hartsville

The Governors School for Science and Mathematics
Growing to be a “crown jewel” for educating the best math and science high school students right here in Hartsville,
learn about GSSM and view student testimonials
Coker College and Governor’s School campuses Aerial Photo

The Darlington County School District
One of the first public school districts in the state of South Carolina to have all of its schools be fully SACS accredited; the prestigious International Baccalaureate “IB” Program comes to Hartsville – meet its first graduates

Featured Private Academies:

Emmanuel Christian
A pre-K thru 12 religious school
High Achiever, established sports

Trinity Collegiate
A Middle School through Grade 12
college preparatory curriculum

Thomas Hart Academy
A charming secular K-8
school, high academic reputation

Jim Schlimmer, Director of Admissions, Francis Marion University

Francis Marion University
Part of South Carolina’s State University System

“A Catalyst for the Hartsville Community:” The Byerly Foundation

The Byerly Foundation was founded in 1995 after the sale of what was formerly Byerly Hospital to Health Management Associates (NYSE: HMA), the parent company of Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center, for in excess of $25 million. Its Board believes the quality of education within our community “is one of the chief factors contributing to the quality of life for all its citizens.” The Foundation began making grants in 1998 and education has been a top priority. The Board also believes that a vital, growing community must have a strong economic structure and that many of the grants should help to enhance the economic development of the community dealing “with programs, projects and organizations that enhance the quality of living.” Through a grant proposal protocol, these organizations receive funds after approval for funds which defined in its most broad terms allows the foundation to be a “catalyst for positive change…that can help span organizational boundaries by facilitating increased cooperation, collaboration and communication within the community.” There are few public organizations in Hartsville that haven’t been touched by the generosity of the Byerly Foundation. Read more about it via their website listed below.

When it comes to “Big Time” college football we takes things pretty seriously in South Carolina –
and generally we root for the SEC’s Carolina Gamecocks or the ACC’s Clemson Tigers

Resources and Websites:

Special Note – brochures and school profiles are available in their featured profiles!
Coker College’s Centennial Website: www.coker.edu/100/index.html
Performing Arts Center: www.coker.edu/EBCPAC/index.html
GSSM Foundation: www.scgssm.org/gssm_foundation
International Baccalaureate Program website (IB Program offered at Hartville High School): www.ibo.org
Francis Marion University: www.fmarion.edu
FMU Fine Arts: http://departments.fmarion.edu/finearts
Byerly Foundation: www.byerlyfoundation.org