From the Head of School
Our Mission
Our mission is to prepare students for college, for leadership, and for life through a demanding academic, artistic, and athletic programs Based upon our service to others, we encourage our students to become informed, bold, resourceful, resilient, and ethical global citizens capable of shaping a changing world
Wes Wehunt, Head of School
This publication represents not only another successful year at Lowcountry Preparatory School, but also the commitment, hard work and determination of our exceptional Marlin community. Twenty-nine years ago, a group of inspired parents had a vision to found a school that provided the ideal learning environment As we embark on the 2024 academic year, that founding vision continues to guide our efforts as we collectively cultivate an environment that prioritizes meaningful connections, enriching experiences and a secure and supportive campus and culture.
In that pursuit, your support of the Annual Fund provides nearly 4% of our overall operating revenue and impacts every area of the Lowcountry Prep experience that tuition alone doesn’t cover. From the expansion of our academic programming (including the offering of dual-enrollment courses) to the recruitment and retention of exceptional faculty, to the updates of campus facilities, we literally could not have accomplished growth without you. Your generosity and belief in our mission have positioned our school for continued excellence, moving forward toward a future filled with promise and opportunity
In the pages that follow are moments of celebration and generosity from this past year that highlight just a few of the connections, experiences and support that exemplify the core of our mission Our deepest heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all the people identified in this report We remain grateful for your partnership and look forward, with enthusiasm, to the year ahead.
With appreciation,
Wes Wehunt Head of School
From Director of Advancement & Alumni Relations
Dear Marlin Community,
I am honored to introduce myself as the new Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations at Lowcountry Preparatory School I am truly excited to join this coastal community and to work alongside you in supporting the growth and success of our school
With a background in Education, I have always been passionate about fostering strong connections between schools and their communities My role here at Lowcountry Preparatory will focus on strengthening our relationships with alumni, enhancing fundraising efforts, and ensuring that our programs continue to provide exceptional opportunities for our students
As I step into this new role, I am eager to hear from you- whether it’s feedback, ideas, or simply getting to know you better. I believe that collaboration between parents, faculty and staff, alumni, and the trustees is the key to achieving our shared goals
In the coming months, I look forward to meeting many of you in person at upcoming events and school gatherings Please feel free to reach out to me at sknight@lowcountryprep org or 706-575-3636 with any questions, suggestions, or to schedule a time to talk.
Thank you for welcoming me into this wonderful community I am excited about what we will accomplish together in the years ahead
Warm
regards,
Sarah Knight
Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations Lowcountry Preparatory School
2024-2025 Leadership
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Erin Angner - Chair
Rob Henry, Alumni - Vice Chair
Dave DeCenzo, Community Member/Alumni - Finance Chair
Robin Johnson, Parent - PTO Chair
Pete Green, Parent/Tennis Coach
Scott Hutto, Community Member
Tara Joseph, Parent Dargan Postal, Parent/Alumni
ADMINISTRATION
Wes Wehunt, Head of School
Vannah Scarborough, Dean of Teaching & Learning
Lindsey Blomdahl, Dean of Student Life
Tina Flaherty, Accounting & Admissions
Sarah Knight, Director of Advancement &Alumni Relations
Josh Howe, Director of Facilities
Tara Lavallee, College Guidance
Senior Class Statistics
90 college applications submitted 81 decisions reported
$60,000 Palmetto Fellow Qualifiers
$100,000 Palmetto Life Qualifiers
$67,000 Palmetto Hope Qualifiers of
Scholarships & Grants SC State Scholarships 10
Our 2023-2024 Annual Fund Donors
Board of Trustees
Lowcountry Preparatory School is grateful for the generous support and leadership of the Board of Trustees. Thank you for your service and commitment to our mission, our community, and most importantly, our students.
Erin Angner
Derek Barr
Bill Brennan
Dave DeCenzo
Rob Henry
Robin Johnson
Tara Joseph
Andy Peace
Dargan Postal
Parents, Grandparents, Faculty, Staff & Friends
Our Lowcountry Prep community gives to the School in important and diverse ways. We are grateful for their time, expertise, and generous financial support of our community
Anderson, Brenda
Blomdahl, Lindsey
Campbell, Gwen
Costaldo, Evan & LaSala, Stephanie
Crossland, Jesse
Elicker, Nikki
Elliott, Keely
Ferguson, Paige
Floyd, Jeanie
Francke, Andrea
Galloway, Julie
Gilligan, Jamie
Hall Veterinary Services
Hazelton, John
Hernandez Friedman, Yvvonne
Hughes, Louise
Johnson, James
Lavallee, Tara
Livingston, Emily
Loos, Tara
Lord, Martha Gates
Lumpkin, Carson
McCallister, Elizabeth
Mesimer, Kristee
Miers, Laurie
Parnell, Kelly
Parsons, Susan
Peterson, Andrea
Pinkerton, Jocelyn
Sandor, Kristen
Sarala, Rikka
Scarborough, Vannah
Schroeder, Becky
Shaw, Payden
Simmons, Arij Smith, Hoppy
Smith, Lynn
Smith, Patricia & Mac Strong, Tom
Tamasitis, Bonnie
Truluck, Adrian
Vandy Charitable Foundation
Wallace F Pate Fellow Man Foundation
Wehunt, Wes
Y hit L i
Denotes gifts exceeding $2,000 00
As we prepare to celebrate our 30th anniversary wi 2025/26 school year, we hope to raise $30,000 to begin a scholarship fund. This fund will give us the opportunity to reach out to families and students in our area who desire an educational environment where they are not only academically challenged, but more importantly, valued, recognized, and prepared. Please join us in this endeavor by supporting Lowcountry Preparatory School.
Aiza Mari Rodrguez-Mariani
Al Jones
Alison Ballard
Amanda Barclay
Andy Peace
Bellamy Law Firm
Bill Brennan
Cheryl Paul
Cindy Bindmer
Dargan Postal
David DeCenzo
Debbie Black
Derek Barr
Edward Jones, Office of Andy Friedman
Erin Angner
Gwen Heusel
John Joseph Jr.
Laney McCoy
DONATIONS
$16,630
Lourdes Beard
Lumpkin and Postal
Meredith Daley
Monkee's of Georgetown
Omni Services of SC, Inc.
Palmetto Vacation Services
Peace Sotheby's International Realty
Pink Kellett
Rob Henry
Robert Horvath
Robin Johnson
Suzanne Temple T Barr
Tara Joseph
The Brundage Family
Vesna Solheim
William Brennan
Wynne
Peace Interior Design
+And several Anonymous donors!
DONORS 42 GIFTS 45
Building A Scholastic Heritage -
Thanks to all who donated generously to the 2024 BASH!
620 Prince Street B&B
Adrian & Stephen Truluck
Alyson Fisher
A& I Corporation
Bellamy Law Firm
Beverly Homes
Brookgreen Gardens
C&P Electric Service
Cap’t Dan’s Fishing Charter
Catch On Seafood and Gourmet Market
Chive Blossom
Christina Payne
Clean Advantage Corporation
Coastal Escape Rooms
Cornerstone Surgery Centers
Dawson Lumber Company
DeBordieu Golf & Tennis Club
Dos Lunas Azules
Dr John and Shannon Hazelton
Eleanor Pitts Jewelry & Gifts
Frank's & Frank's Outback
Georgetown Country Police Escort
Georgetown Equestrian Center
Grand Strand Dermatology LLC
Harris Chewning
Island Law
Joseph & Joseph Dental
Kelsey Nichols Art
Kendall Thornton
Label Six Clothing
Long Bay Symphony
Lowcountry Sugar
LS Family Gift Baskets
Michele & Bryan Mims
Michelle Mckenzie
Mimi Seabrook
Monkee's of Georgetown
Omni Services of South Carolina, Inc
OrthoSC
Paintings by Susan G Moore
Pawleys Island Mens Store
Pawleys Island Mercantile
Pawleys Island Outdoors
Perrone's Market & Restaurant and Bar
REMAX EXECUTIVE- Phillip Brady
Robin Johnson Root
Seaside Dermatology
Solheim Family Medicine
South Carolina Maritime Museum
Stox & Co Salon Spa & Wellness
Cottage
Surf the Earth
Swinnie Supply Co
Tom and Lydia O’Halloran
Wayne's View Photography
Wynne Peace Interior Design
Stats At-A-Glance
1150
LPS Avg SAT Score
SC Avg: 1023
National Avg: 1028
of LPS AP students with scores of 3+
# AP Students: 45
# Exams: 135
# AP Courses w/Exams: 14 82%
Overall
of our AP teachers completed AP training
Reading & Writing
English Language Arts K - 8th Mathematics K - 8th
Overall composite score for Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal 52nd
Consolidated State Performance Report
Grades 1-5: 57% exceed expectations in reading 39% exceed expectations in mathematics
3rd Grade Reading Proficiency
Total Staff: 11
Total Teachers: 24
86%
Teacher Retention Rate
Total enrollment: 184
Average Class Size: 15
Class Sizes by Grade Level:
Kindergarten: 9
1st: 11
2nd: 19
3rd: 19
4th: 13
5th: 18
6th: 19
7th: 14
8th: 12
9th: 17
10th: 4
11th: 17
12th: 12
Average # of years teaching experience
29%
Teachers with a master’s degree or higher
Graduation Rate
Enriching Experiences
AP and Dual Enrollment
Lowcountry Preparatory School is dedicated to academic excellence, and our Advanced Placement (AP) program stands as a testament to this commitment Offering a comprehensive array of 18 AP courses across a wide spectrum of disciplines in grades 10-12, our school provides students with the opportunity to challenge themselves, prepare for higher education, and gain a competitive edge Additionally, we offer Dual Credit classes in partnership with Horry Georgetown Technical College (HGTC), further enriching our students' educational experiences Our AP offerings encompass:
Art History
Art 3-D
Art 2-D
Biology
Chemistry
Calculus AB
Precalculus
English Language & Composition
English Literature & Composition
STEM Program
Our STEM program remains steadfast in its commitment to technology integration and hands-on experiential learning Highlights of our STEM initiatives include:
Rocket Science: Our Physical Science class collaborated with 5th graders to launch rockets while teaching the laws of motion through hands-on experience
Cross-Curricular Project: 8th graders built model boats with machines, connecting English, physical science, and ancient history
Field Trips: Life Science classes explored coastal habitats at the Black River Cypress Preserve, while Physical Science classes visited WonderWorks
Camp Bob Cooper: 5th and 6th graders enjoyed an overnight adventure, learning about ecology, wildlife, and survival skills
IBM SkillsBuild: Upper school students earned digital credentials in Cybersecurity and Project Management Fundamentals.
Environmental Science
French Language & Culture
Physics I
Physics II
Psychology
Spanish Language & Culture
U.S. History
U.S. Government
World History: Modern
Online Labs: We utilize Labster and PhET for online labs, enhancing our in-person experiments.
Our STEM program takes students on a dynamic journey that combines hands-on exploration, cross-disciplinary connections, and real-world experiences, empowering them with the knowledge and skills they need to excel in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
www.lowcountryprep.org
This Annual Report is a reflection of the generous contributions received throughout the year. We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information However, despite our best intentions, errors can sometimes occur, and we apologize in advance for any mistakes If you find that your name has been misspelled, omitted, or placed under an incorrect category, please contact the main office at 843-237-4147.
Lowcountry Preparatory School is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, disability, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and financial aid programs, athletic programs, or any other school-administered activities.
