The Best Private Schools in Manning, South Carolina
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Manning. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Wilson Hall
Wilson Hall
Wilson Hall is a premier private school located approximately 25 miles from Manning in Sumter, serving students from PK3 through 12th grade. The school is widely recognized for its exceptional academic program featuring Advanced Placement courses, including the prestigious AP Capstone Diploma program. Wilson Hall boasts state-of-the-art facilities including science and technology labs, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic complexes. The school maintains small class sizes with a student-teacher ratio of 10:1, ensuring personalized attention. With a strong emphasis on college preparation, Wilson Hall graduates consistently gain admission to top-tier universities. The school serves as a regional educational hub, attracting students from Manning and surrounding communities seeking high-quality private education.
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Clarendon Hall
Clarendon Hall
Clarendon Hall is a highly-regarded private school located just 8 miles from Manning in Summerton. Serving students from PK3 through 12th grade, the school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with small class sizes and individualized attention. The campus features modern facilities including science labs, technology-enhanced classrooms, and extensive athletic facilities. Clarendon Hall maintains strong academic standards with Advanced Placement courses and consistently produces graduates who attend top colleges and universities. The school offers a comprehensive extracurricular program including competitive sports, fine arts, and various clubs that serve families throughout Clarendon County, including Manning residents.
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Robert E. Lee Academy
Robert E. Lee Academy
Robert E. Lee Academy is a distinguished private school located approximately 30 minutes from Manning in Bishopville. Serving students from K4 through 12th grade, the academy provides a challenging academic environment with honors courses and dual enrollment opportunities with local colleges. The school features excellent facilities including modern classrooms, science laboratories, a comprehensive library, and athletic complexes. RELA emphasizes character development alongside academic excellence and offers a wide range of extracurricular activities including championship athletic programs, academic competitions, and arts programs. The school serves families from multiple counties including Clarendon County, making it accessible to Manning residents seeking quality private education.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Manning, South Carolina
What are the primary private school options available for families in Manning, South Carolina, and what are their key characteristics?
Manning and the surrounding Clarendon County area offer a few established private school options. The most prominent are Clarendon Hall (a K-12 Christian school in Summerton, just outside Manning), Robert E. Lee Academy (a K-12 college-preparatory school in Bishopville, about a 25-minute drive), and Wilson Hall (a Pre-K-12 independent school in Sumter, roughly a 30-minute drive). Clarendon Hall provides a faith-based education locally, while families often commute to the neighboring cities for the broader academic and extracurricular programs at Robert E. Lee Academy and Wilson Hall. The choice often depends on a family's priorities for commute distance, religious affiliation, and specific program offerings.
How does tuition for private schools in the Manning, SC area compare, and are there any state-specific financial aid programs available?
Tuition in the Manning area varies significantly based on the school and grade level. For the 2024-2025 academic year, Clarendon Hall's tuition is generally more moderate, often ranging between $5,000-$8,000. Schools like Robert E. Lee Academy and Wilson Hall typically have higher tuition, often exceeding $10,000 annually. A critical financial consideration specific to South Carolina is the **Educational Credit for Exceptional Needs Children** program, which provides tax credits for donations to scholarship funding organizations that grant needs-based scholarships for private school tuition. Additionally, many schools offer their own need-based financial aid and sibling discounts. It's essential to contact each school's admissions office for the most current tuition schedules and aid applications.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do private schools near Manning, SC offer that differentiate them from local public schools?
Private schools in the Manning region often leverage smaller class sizes to offer specialized programs. For instance, Clarendon Hall emphasizes its Christian curriculum and character education. Robert E. Lee Academy is known for its strong college-prep track, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses and a dedicated STEM program. Wilson Hall in Sumter offers a comprehensive fine arts program, advanced foreign language options, and competitive athletics. These schools can provide more individualized attention and niche programs that may be less available in the rural public school districts of Clarendon County, such as specialized college counseling or distinct athletic conferences (like SCISA - South Carolina Independent School Association).
What is the typical enrollment process and timeline for private schools serving Manning, SC families?
The enrollment process for schools like Clarendon Hall, Robert E. Lee Academy, and Wilson Hall generally begins in the winter or early spring for the following fall semester. Key steps include: 1) Attending an open house or scheduling a private tour (highly recommended), 2) Submitting a formal application with an application fee (often between $50-$100), 3) Providing academic records and teacher recommendations, and 4) Completing a student assessment or interview. Many schools have rolling admissions, but priority deadlines for financial aid applications are often in February or March. Given the limited seats, especially in lower grades, Manning-area families are advised to start the process early, as some grades may have waiting lists.
For a family in Manning, what are the major considerations when choosing between a local public school and a private school, which may involve a commute?
The decision hinges on several Manning-specific factors. Public schools in Clarendon County District 2 offer proximity and no tuition. Private options, while potentially involving a 25-45 minute commute to Bishopville or Sumter, provide alternatives such as different curricular approaches (e.g., religious or classical), often smaller student-to-teacher ratios, and different extracurricular and athletic leagues (SCISA). Families must weigh the daily commute time and cost against their educational priorities. The sense of community is also a factor; local private schools like Clarendon Hall can offer a tight-knit environment, while the larger, commuter-based private schools may offer a more diverse peer network from across the region. Visiting both local public schools and the private options is crucial to feel the difference in environment.
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