Powdersville vs. Wren Schools (Greenville, Anderson: real estate, home, high schools)

[Tradegirl68]

We may be moving to the Easley/Powdersville/Piedmont area this summer. Could someone give me some insight into the difference in the Powdersville vs. Wren Schools, all the way through high school? The Powdersville Elem. school website is much more informative than the Wren Elem. school as far as programs and clubs that are offered (STEM class weekly, strings class).

The issue we are finding is that there are many more housing options that fill our needs in the Wren zone, then the Powdersville zone (large lots under $300 K, not new subdivisions). We love Watsons Grove from what we have seen online so far.

We are coming down this weekend, so we will get a better idea of the area. Our main decision will be determined by the school.

I have read all the old threads about this area, but there hasn't been much since the area was rezoned a few years ago and Powdersville High opened.

Thanks for any current info. you have!

[Jandrew5]

IMO it's negligible. Both school systems get high marks, and if it wasn't for the Powdersville growth, everyone would be still going to Wren. I do believe the Wren system is a little larger population wise, and the Powdersville schools are newer, if that matters.

Hope you enjoy your visit.

[WhitewaterVol]

A lot of real estate ads are inaccurate for schools listed. You can check an address here to see which schools are assigned for Anderson District 1:

School Information Locator

The schools throughtout the district tend to be very good. The quality of education between Wren and Powdersville will be very similar. They share a career and technology center with a couple of other high schools. Powdersville will start allowing students to attend Wren for ROTC next year.

You can really choose the home you like better for other factors and not worry between the two schools. For what it's worth, Watson Grove is assigned to Powdersville Schools.

[Tradegirl68]

The zoning map is very helpful!

Do you think the programs are similar in all the schools in the district? I think I remember reading about a math/science institute in high school. Is that a district program? or individual school initiative?

[WhitewaterVol]

Originally Posted by Tradegirl68

The zoning map is very helpful!

Do you think the programs are similar in all the schools in the district? I think I remember reading about a math/science institute in high school. Is that a district program? or individual school initiative?

I've never heard of a math/science institute in any of the district 1 schools. Math tops out with AB Calculus at pretty much all of the District 1 schools. Most of them offer AP courses in Chemistry and Biology. Some of the larger schools in Greenville County like Wade Hapton and Mauldin have a more complete AP course offering mainly because they are larger schools.

The course offerings are very similar. ROTC being offered at Wren has been one of the only differences, and as I noted, that is going to be opened up to Powdersville Students next year.

One of my few gripes for Powdersville would be a lack of academic rigor in the science programs. That's coming from a Chemical Engineer, though, so my expectations are probably a bit skewed.