Lake Forest Elementary School

Wonderful gem of a school in the city of Greenville. We loved to this side of GVL from Simpsonville and I have to say, this school has been a fantastic place for my three children. I’ve been fortunate to have kids at Mitchell Rd Elem for 8 years now and have reaped the benefits of a school that values not just academics, but also social emotional growth. This school is also smaller than other city of GVL schools around it. The faculty has a therapeutic and trust based bend with discipline which I have loved.There are two gardens where the students have science lab. The students were able to be hands on in creating the learning lab garden and it is just beautiful. One of my students is a special education student and they shine brightly in this area as well. They have supported and helped her to grow more than I thought possible.Mitchell Rd Elem is a National Blue Ribbon School, as well. Can’t speak highly enough!

Very caring Administration, faculty and staff. School is a very safe learning environment. Great music/fine arts programs. Every parent wants a school like Paris Elementary.

Terrible experience. My 5 year old had behavioral issues that never had before, so think due to the multiple changes (new school and family separation at home). He had in incident with his teacher on the first day and she tells me “all the other kids are good”. I complaint with the principal, and it went downhill from there. I made several changes including shortening this stay at school. After only one week at MRCA, the head of school asked me not to bring back my son the next day until he got assessed and his behavior improved. I withdrew him, got him assessed, and he is a perfectly normal toddler. He didn’t feel safe at MRCA, once he went back to his previous school he started doing very well again.

The structure and curriculum is wildly effective with our kids. We had them at two other private schools before finally getting into BJA. We were interviewed by the school administrators before they accepted our application. it's a long process to get in and many parents apply while they are pregnant. My wife and I are a mixed race couple and that has no effect on how we are treated and were surprised to see so many other mixed race couples with their kids at BJA. Not at all what we had been told. They also email us during the school day if there is an issue (behavior or we forgot something) and that is very comforting to know how attentive they are to the parents being involved. Highly recommend. Good security as well, and the car line is awesome, they get your kids out of the car and escort them into the building. and have gone out of their way if we forgot something to get it to the children in the classrooms. the teachers are great! polite and professional at all times. both kids are learning so fast its wonderful to see the results.