New school, new angle on teaching

A new school in the Lowcountry has many fresh ideas and a new way of teaching.

Jason Kreutner, a Mount Pleasant resident who grew up in the area, established the University School of the Lowcountry last year.

Caroline Howard/Ink contributor

Sixth- and seventh-graders at the University School in Mount Pleasant, housed in Hibben United Methodist Church, analyze 'Romeo and Juliet' during their humanities class.

Kreutner is known as coach of the Snee Farm Swim Team but is also experienced in the classroom. A graduate of the South Carolina Honors College, he served as the dean of students and director of studies at Charleston Collegiate School, and as the upper-school dean and history department chairman at Porter-Gaud School, among other positions.

Kreutner opened the school with the objective of creating a safe, fun environment for kids who want to excel in academics and receive knowledge that can be applied to the real world.

The school, which meets in the Sunday school classes at Hibben United Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant, now has nine students in fourth through eighth grades, but by next year is expected to have 30-40 students and a new ninth grade. There has been a great response to the school and several families and potential students have spent time in class to get a better idea of how it's run. The classes are small, teachers pay a lot of attention to the students one-on-one and everybody participates. Because of the small size, the students are relaxed.

There is no hesitation to speak out, discuss and debate. In class, each student is assigned a laptop, which helps develop skills that can be applied in higher grades and in college. The main subjects — math, humanities, science and Spanish — are taught on a high level.

The University School remains focused on academics and does so with an intense four-day school week. Every Wednesday, the students go on a field trip. Some recent activities included a trip to Bull's Island and to the Medical University of South Carolina for hands-on experience and orientation by professionals. At other times, the school travels farther to expose the students to South Carolina's history.

Classes also have daily discussions about news and events in the United States and around the world. This sharpens the kids' minds and prepares them to be able to follow and understand current events and information. Students also can have mentors, such as high school or college students who work closely with them and help them grow through projects and enhanced tutoring.

This environment has created a tight-knit group of students who work well together.

"We are like family" says seventh-grader Anita Echlin.

Elena Mpougas is an 8th-grader at Christ Our King School. Reach her at erene@mpougas.com.