St. Andrews Road Campus (SAR) Gwen.Cornwell@BenLippen.com (803) 807-4400
Lower School Hours
Monday: 9:20 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday - Friday: 8:20 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Ben Lippen has a late start for all students every Monday. School begins one hour later and ends at the regular time. This allows the faculty and staff time for professional development.
LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Ben Lippen Lower School Families,
We are just a few weeks away from the start of the new school year! What joy to know the Lord has gone before us and is preparing the way for an amazing year of learning, growth, and fun. Until then, I hope your family enjoys a wonderful break, and the Lord allows this time of year to draw you closer to each other and to Him.
As we look ahead to the new school year, we are providing this packet to offer helpful information to assist your family in planning and preparing for the start of school. Please take the time to read through the information in this packet and complete the required forms. If you have any questions, please contact one of our offices. We are happy to assist.
Please continue to keep Ben Lippen School in prayer as we prepare to welcome back our students and families for the 2025-2026 school year.
In Christ,
Kelli Larsen, PhD Lower School Principal
HANDBOOK UPDATES
We ask that each family carefully read the Lower School Student Life Handbook. A couple of the more significant changes are as follows:
• The policy prohibiting smartwatches, Gizmos, cell phones, and any other cellular device during the school day has been extended to include after-school clubs and activities, including Q.U.E.S.T.
• Previously it was announced that beginning in the fall of 2025, only Ben Lippen School outerwear would be allowed. However, any solid sweater, sweatshirt, etc. in the color pallette (black, white, green, gold, gray) will be permitted. Please see the handbook for more information.
HANDBOOK FORM
Please complete one form per family.
After you have reviewed the Lower School Student Life Handbook, please sign the handbook verification form linked below.
Lower School Handbook Verification Form
LUNCH PROGRAMS
Students are to bring their lunch each day or order from the optional hot lunch program listed below. These programs are campus specific. Please click on your child’s campus link below.
MR Campus – Schoolhouse Fare
NE Campus – Schoolhouse Fare
SAR Campus – Schoolhouse Fare
When a lunch from home is forgotten, a school lunch will be provided and your account will be charged a $5.00 missing lunch fee. This service is only for forgotten lunches and should not be used as a regular lunch option.
QUEST (Extended Care)
Q.U.E.S.T. (Quality, Unique Extended School Time) is offered on all three lower school campuses.
Morning QUEST will be held every school day from 7:15 a.m. - 7:55 a.m. Parents are asked to park and walk their child(ren) into the building and sign them in. QUEST will begin on Wednesday, August 13.
Afternoon QUEST is available on school days from 3:00-5:45 p.m and will begin on Thursday, August 14. We must have a registration form for each child in our QUEST program. Please ensure your emergency contact and approved pick-up names are updated in FACTS. Fill the form out online at Extended Care Registration. The password for the Current Families Portal is: falcons24.
• QUEST for the Monticello Road Campus meets in the multi-purpose building.
• QUEST for the Northeast Campus meets in the theater.
• QUEST for the St. Andrews Road Campus meets in the cafeteria.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Please use this link for the official School Calendar. This will have the most up to date information for the 2025-2026 school year.
Students and parents are invited to meet teachers, drop off school supplies, and check out their new classrooms.
Wednesday, August 13| First Day of School – Half-day (dismissal at 11:45 a.m.)
Monday, August 18 | Lower School Parent Night
This is an evening for parents only and is an opportunity for you to hear from your child’s teacher about the upcoming school year. Please note that you will go directly to your youngest child’s classroom when you arrive on campus. Parents with more than one child will have the opportunity to visit multiple classrooms.
Schedule: 6:00-6:40 Session 1
6:40-6:50 Break/Transition
6:50-7:30 Session 2
SCHOOL SUPPLY LISTS
School Supply Lists
SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE
If you are planning to use the shuttle bus service, please register your child(ren) online under the Current Families tab. The sign up form is found in the “Get to School” link. The password for the Current Families Portal is: falcons24.
This service will begin on Wednesday, August 13. Wednesday is a half day of school, and the bus will run on a half day schedule (no extended care).
VOLUNTEER APPLICATION (Optional)
All volunteers must have a volunteer application on file at the school to volunteer for field trips and work in the classroom. We require two references along with the application. Once your file is complete, your application will be sent off for a background check and you will be notified when you can volunteer. If you are already an approved volunteer, your application is good for three years. Please complete the linked Volunteer Application and email it to your campus administrative assistant.
Pre-K3 through 12th Grade 7401 Monticello Road Columbia, SC 29203
Pre-K4 through 4th Grade 3513 Hard Scrabble Road Columbia, SC 29223
