6 Amsterdam Ln
Simpsonville, SC 29681

I have had 3 children to go through Bethel. We have absolutely loved every year there, every teacher, field trip, and function. Mr. Critell is an incredible principal and has been an integral part of the overall experience there.

The entire culture of this school is toxic in so many ways I can't explain. My daughter has been treated so poorly by her peers, and not by your traditional bullies who all of us grew up with but a whole new generation of intelligent, super involved in school activities, loved by all the teachers and administrators, passive aggressive, rumor spreading bullies. The majority of the bullies come from the "STUCO" (student council). Why does any school need such a large and powerful presence for student government. Student government should be a special position with no more than four elected per class of students who TRULY embrace the best qualities of the school. Instead Mauldin as turned it into a popular and giant clique of bullies. If something you do rubs one student council member the wrong way, even something as simple as ending a high school relationship, that ENTIRE clique of probably 75-100 kids will have it out for your for the rest of your high school experience. Of course, its all sneaky and done behind the scenes in passive aggressive ways on social media, little things like pointing and laughing, driving by with a car of them just staring at your or yelling things at you in the parking lot. Rumors spread about you that are so far from the truth that it's actually absurd. Suddenly you have a "reputation" you in no way earned and no one wants to be your friend or date you. and the bullying tactics and intimidation continue. If you participate in any school activities, you are treated so poorly you never want to participate again. The administrators don't know you or care about you, despite the fact that you are an excellent student with a high gpa and a bright future, simply because you don't sign up for all the school activities because you don't feel WELCOME. You are non existent to them, while they continue to rub elbows and be best friends with the STUCO kids. Then finally you are so defeated you come home crying every day and you don't know how you will make it to graduation. Administration DO BETTER. "Mavs Matter" means nothing when they don't ALL matter to you. Reach out to the quiet kids, even the ones who smile to hide their pain. Change the culture of this enviroment. Make passive aggressive bullying something you hold students, even your precious STUCO members accountable for. Simply put. DO BETTER .

At the beginning of this school year, I switch both of my kids to this Hillcrest Middle and I must say that I have no regrets with the change. Both of them are flourishing at the school. I get very few reports of bullying or discipline issues occurring at the school and the teaching appears to be very good. Hillcrest is a well managed school and provides a great overall environment for students to grow.