Southside Christian School

Southside Christian School is a private K–12 Christian school in Simpsonville, South Carolina. SCS was established in 1967 and is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International. SCS serves approximately 1,300 students beginning at 24 months of age and continuing through 12th grade on one campus. Students are divided into early education (K2–K5), elementary school (kindergarten–5th), middle school (6th–8th), and high school (9th–12th).

Southside Christian School
Location
2211 Woodruff Road Simpsonville, South Carolina 29681 United States
Coordinates	34.8208°N 82.2525°W / 34.8208; -82.2525
Information
Other name	SCS
Type	Private Christian
Motto	Colossians 3:23–24
Religious affiliation(s)	Christian
Established	1967 (58 years ago) (1967)
Founders	Pastor Walt and Libby Handford
Superintendent	Sam Barfell
Principal	Shelby Hooper (high school) Luke Bowers (middle school) Eric Alfrey (elementary) Stephanie Breit (early ed.)
Faculty	110
Grades	K–12
Enrollment	>1,330 (2023–24)[1]
Student to teacher ratio	12:1
Campus	39.1 acres (158,000 m2)
Color(s)	Columbia blue, navy blue, and white
Athletics conference	SCHSL 3A
Nickname	Sabres
Website	www.southsidechristian.org

History

Southside Christian School in the 1970s

Southside Christian School was one of five all-white private schools that were established in Greenville County between 1966 and 1970 when Greenville public schools were being desegregated.^[2][3] Southside Christian School officials, however, have denied that school was established to facilitate racially segregated education.^[4]

In 1978, Southside Christian School administrator Ron Brooks spoke at a conference organized by opponents of an IRS regulation that would revoke the tax exemptions of private schools that had significantly different racial composition than the surrounding community.^[5] Brooks said that it was "wrong for the government to get involved in our church" and claimed that the school did not "keep track of students by race".^[5] Brooks argued that since Southside Christian School was formed before the final court order desegregating Greenville schools, the school was not a discriminatory institution.^[5]

In 2002, Southside Christian School received inquiries from parents seeking to withdraw their children from public schools after a racially charged debate on school assignment zone changes.^[6]

The school's gymnasium was destroyed in a fire on November 20, 2002.^[7]

In April 2022, Southside Christian School broke ground for a $20 million campus expansion of 63,000 square feet (5,900 m²).^[8]

Sports

SCS is a 3A member of the South Carolina High School League,^[9] with boys and girls teams competing in 19 sports.^[10]

• In 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2020, and 2021, the Lady Sabre volleyball team won the Class A State Championship.^[11]
• In 2015, 2020, and 2021, the varsity football team won the Class A State Championship.^[12][13]
• In 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, the varsity baseball team won four consecutive State Championships, with the most recent being a 3A title and the others being Class A.^[14][15]

Sabre Stadium

Boys

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Football
• Golf
• Soccer
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Wrestling

Girls

• Basketball
• Cheerleading
• Cross Country
• Fastpitch Softball
• Golf
• Soccer
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Volleyball