About Carolina Prep

Everything we do at Carolina Prep School comes back to a singular mission:

To build a diverse, positive, stimulating learning environment which values excellence in academics, leadership, and service.

Our facility, staff, and curriculum are all built to nurture and develop the young students in our care.

Defining Characteristics

A nurturing culture, using maternal care as a model.

Faculty and staff consistently provide caring attitudes and actions to mirror the way you would treat your child.

A facility designed with children in mind.

We have designed our space to provide an array of exciting experiences for your student throughout the day.

A parental support program

We partner with you in the development of your child.

A solid foundation for learning

Our Creative Curriculum® inspired foundation provides a framework for excellence in core academic areas—as well as character and confidence development.

In Their Words

Facility & Location

Carolina Prep School is located in close proximity to the Roper Mountain Rd. / I-385 intersection at:

212 Roper Mountain Rd Ext.
Greenville, SC 29615

Personalized

Our prep school facility is designed to fit our school values and mission. An open, friendly learning environment, our facility includes a gymnasium, theater, traveling technology center, language lab, outdoor learning and play, art studio, and music hall.

Secure

Entry to our facility is allowable through key fob entry only. A school-wide intercom system allows for immediate communication.

Our team includes administrators, faculty, staff, and our Board

Alissa Pace

1st Grade Teacher
Biography

Mrs. Pace works in our Primary School and is our 1st grade teacher. She is originally from Spartanburg, South Carolina. She received her BA degree in Mass Communications from USC-Upstate. She worked in Spartanburg District 1 schools for 4 years, first as a Kindergarten Assistant, then in the library as a Media Arts Teacher. She enjoys cooking, reading, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with her husband, 3 cats and her sweet baby Luca!

Kelsey Sams

2nd and 3rd Grade Teacher
Biography

Mrs. Sams works in our Primary School and is the combined 2nd and 3rd grade teacher. She grew up in Pickens County and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from USC Upstate in December 2019. She has taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. Kelsey is a wife and mom of two and loves reading, doing yoga, drinking coffee, and learning about new things!

Mary Riley Van Duinen

Administrative Assistant
Biography

I’m Mary Riley and it is so good to be a part of such a blossoming school. I work as the Front Desk Administrator and help answer and direct your questions to facilitate smooth communication between parents and the school. I went to Savannah College of Art and Design and have my BFA in Graphic Design, so I also help with internal graphic work to ensure we express ourselves accurately as the bright and friendly school we are! I haven’t been here long, but I feel right at home and encourage all of us to continue to make this an inclusive and safe environment to be ourselves.

Humera Manjra

Assistant Director
Biography

Ms. Humera is the Assistant Director of our school. She was born and raised in New York. She moved to South Carolina in 2019. She joined our Carolina Prep family in July of 2023. She has a passion for working with children and seeing their eyes glow as they discover and learn something new. In her free time, she loves shopping and spending time with her fiancé and their daughter. She’s excited to be a part of the Carolina Prep family!

Chris Huff

Executive Director
Biography

My name is Chris Huff and I have been with Carolina Prep since June of 2023- most of my teaching experience has been with ages 4-High School. I have been in leadership positions on and off for over 18 years. I have oversaw multiple childcare sites at one time and oversaw as little as two at one time. I am a married father of 5 myself. 3 girls and 2 boys. My favorite thing about working with children is shaping the future. You never know if you’re helping mold the next president, the next CEO, or someone who will change the world in their field. I am excited to be a part of Carolina Prep and being a part of an amazing family.

Courtney Geese

Floater Teacher
Biography

3 1/2 years ages 6weeks to after school. Favorite thing about working with kids: Seeing them grow, develop new skills, and being around them brings me joy. Fun facts:

  • I was born with cleft lip and palate.
  • I’m the only girl out of my first cousins on my mom’s side.
  • I love Winnie the Pooh, Stitch, Beauty and the Beast
  • My go to restaurant is something Mexican! I love chips and queso, Horchata, fried ice cream
  • I’m originally from Indiana but moved to SC in 2015.
  • I have a dog named Lilly she’s a dachshund blue heeler mix.
  • I enjoy babysitting on the side for date nights, errands or anything else.

Ruth Ruiz

Floater Teacher

Elizabeth Todd

Floater Teacher

Anna Fusco

Floater Teacher

Rachel Hain

Infant 1 Teacher
Biography

Ms. Rachel works with our infants in the Infant 1 classroom.

Angelika Jones

Infant 1 teacher

Breanna Mills

Infant 2 Teacher
Biography

Mrs. Breanna (Bree) works with our older infants in the Infant 2 classroom. She has worked with children for 9 years. She has two children, Michael (4) and Paislie (1). She has been married for almost 5 years. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her husband, her children, and shopping at Target.

Misty White

Kindergarten Teacher Website: Kindergarten
Biography

Mrs. White works in our Primary School and is the kindergarten teacher. She graduated from USC Upstate with a B.A. in Education and holds her certification in Early Childhood Development by the South Carolina State Board of Education. While completing her degree, Misty volunteered in Greenville County classrooms, as well as led weekly classroom reading programs. She has worked in kindergarten classrooms at both Brushy Creek Elementary and Mountain View Elementary schools. Mrs. White was also an Elementary School Age Children’s Director at a local church, where her responsibilities included, but were not limited to curriculum development, teaching, and scheduling. Misty has a passion for helping children learn and grow, and she has been a part of the Carolina Prep team since January 2011.

Late’Ya Allman

PE & After School

Anahi Arteaga

Pre Preppers Teacher
Biography

My name is Anahi Arteaga and I have been with Carolina Prep since October 2023, so just a few months. I got my education degree at USC Upstate in May 2023 and I have gotten 2 years of experience through my college career. My favorite thing about working with kids is being able to teach and see them grow. I’m not married and have no kids. Fun facts: I’m an only child and my favorite sport is basketball. Lastly, I have enjoyed the time I have gotten here and can’t wait to see what’s next for me here.

Melissa Sharpless

Pre-K
Biography

Mrs. Sharpless works with the 4-year-olds in our Pre-K classroom. She grew up in Sumter, South Carolina and graduated from Laurence Manning Academy.  She received a BA degree in Elementary Education from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida.  Mrs. Sharpless has taught pre-school for 17 years and loves working with her Pre-K group.  She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and cheering on the Clemson Tigers!

Michaela Bowie

Pre-Prepper Teacher
Biography

Ms. Michaela works with our 2-year-olds in the Pre-Prepper classroom. She is from Greenwood, South Carolina. She moved to Simpsonville, South Carolina in 2015 and started going to Greenville Tech to receive her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education with a concentration in Special Education. She worked for the Greenville County School District for 6 years. In her spare time, she loves going to the beach, and spending time with her family and her fiancé, Wesley. She has four cats (Stache, Ziggy, Harley, and Stormy) and a dog, Cooper. She enjoys spending time in the classroom with students, watching them grow and learn new things. Making a difference in a child’s life is her top expectation while being in the classroom.

 

 

 

 

Courtney Deshields

Prepper Teacher
Biography

Courtney Deshields has been at Carolina prep since April 2023. She has been working with children since 2014 but has been teaching in a classroom since 2019. Her favorite thing about working with children is being “that person” for some children. She loves making the connection with her students. She also enjoys watching their eyes light up when they learn something new. A little bit about her personal life is her husbands name is Skyler and they are expecting their first baby in June of 2024! They also have a dog named Zora.

Melinda Whitfield

STEAM Teacher
Biography

Mrs. Whitfield works with the Primary School and the Pre-K classroom as the STEAM enrichment teacher.

Chescyne McClure

Toddler Teacher

Kathy Ryan

Toddlers
Biography

Mrs. Kathy works in our Toddler classroom. She was born and raised in New Hampshire and after living in Texas, moved to Greenville to be near her grandson. She has been working in the field of early childhood education since 2006 and has spent time with all ages.  She showers her students and families with love and attention!  In her free time, Kathy loves to bake, shop, and spend time with her husband, three children, and grandson.

We want your student to be a part of our family!

Here are a few compelling reasons to choose Carolina Prep School:

Preschool

A solid Core Knowledge Sequence that builds on each previous year
Creative lesson plans developed by classroom teachers that are tailored to meet the specific needs of each group
Custom classroom placement based on individual development
Ultra-low student to teacher ratios
Music classes taught by a certified music teacher
Art classes taught by a certified art teacher
Daily Spanish classes taught by a certified Spanish teacher
All-inclusive tuition, which includes diapers, wipes, diaper ointment, nutritious breakfasts, morning snacks, hot lunches, and afternoon snacks
Highest quality teachers, who are selected through a comprehensive, team approach
Monthly Parent’s Night Out caregiving available on-site

Elementary

A solid Core Knowledge Sequence that complements our skills-based language arts and mathematics curriculum. Our curriculum exceeds state standards and meets national standards.
A robust enrichment curriculum, including daily Spanish, music, art, and physical education integrated across the curriculum and taught by certified teachers
Low student to teacher ratios to maximize teach time and provide individualized learning opportunities
All-inclusive tuition, which includes early drop-off, breakfast, hot lunch, curriculum materials, and field trips
Bi-weekly character education classes to promote integrity, self respect, accountability, and respect for others
Highest quality teachers, certified by the state of South Carolina and selected by a comprehensive, team approach
On-site after school, holiday camp, and summer adventures programs that meet academic and recreational needs