Lake Forest Elementary, League Academy, and Wade Hampton High. Please give input, opinions, and experiences... (Taylors: rent)

[pvjd]

I was in town this weekend and might rent a home off of Wade Hampton Rd. on Dagenham Dr., which is right up the street from Wade Hampton school, close to Taylor's but not quite, zoned for Lake Forest Elementary, League Middle, and Wade Hampton High. Most of my search has been focused on Riverside and Eastside schools, but I really love the house. The area does not seem as nice, has a lot of payday loan stores, thrift shops, etc., which implies a not very thriving area, so if there is a lot of crime in that area or things I need to be concerned about please let me know. Can somebody please offer input and opinions about the schools? My son is 11 and has high functioning asperger's, does not need seclusion from regular classes but does need decent programs that offer things that speak to his interests and strength, like science, music, art, etc. I know I can go on the school rankings site, but I don't put a lot of stock into those.

[FitMom77]

I might can help you a little with this question. I grew up in Wade Hampton Gardens- our first house was on Dagenham, and then my parents bought another house on the street behind it, Waddell Rd. I have a friend who also group up in that neighborhood (Holgate Circle), and once she moved back from college and got married they bought a house on Leyswood- her parents and grandparents still live there, as well. It's a neighborhood you don't hear a lot about, but it's well established and a lot of people live there and stay there forever. I went to League and to Wade Hampton High. I graduated in 1995, so it's been a while for me, but my little sister just graduated from there a couple of years ago. Both League and Wade Hampton were great schools when I attended them, and they've only improved. I have a couple of friends who went to WHHS with me and now teach there. My parents loved the principal they have there now, and the Fine Arts Center is located right beside it. The teachers are top notch, there's great parental involvement, and there is a lot of genuine school spirit. I really don't know of any "bad" things to tell you about WHHS. My experience with League was obviously long ago, but I've heard nothing but great things about it recently, as well. I don't have any first hand experience with Lake Forest. I do know someone who teaches there, and she loves it. I think it says a lot when a teacher really enjoys the school they teach at. As far as the area surrounding the neighborhood-the immediate Wade Hampton Blvd area isn't the greatest as far as available shopping, but it's not crime ridden or anything. You are really close to the Cherrydale area, or to Taylors and Greer in the other direction, and you have very easy access to 291/Pleasantburg, which will take you to the highway (385)- that gives you quick access to Woodruff Rd, downtown, etc.

Hope that helps!

[GreenvilleCityGirl]

I actually went to all 3 of these schools and they are top notch. I actually know the principal at Lake Forest and she is the greatest!