Wade Hampton High School

The school was opened in the fall of 1960, consolidating former high schools Paris Mountain and Taylors and some students who formerly attended Greenville Senior High School. As part of a district-wide program to update school facilities, the original buildings were torn down and the new building re-opened in January 2006 on the same site. == Namesake ==

Wade Hampton High School takes its name from Wade Hampton III who was one of the largest slave owners in the country, and went on to serve in the confederate army and as the governor of South Carolina. He later was elected as a U.S. Senator from the state. His campaign as governor was marked by extensive violence by the Red Shirts, a paramilitary group that served the Democratic Party by disrupting elections and suppressing black and Republican voting in the state. They contributed to the Democrats regaining control of the state government in this period. The name has garnered mild controversy in the community, but so far there is no real push to get the name changed, despite efforts from students and other members of the community. == Facilities ==

Wade Hampton High is a 250,000 square foot facility opened in January 2006. Promethean Boards are installed in every classroom and the building features Graphic Arts and CAD Computer Labs, a Media Production lab, and general use labs. In addition, the school has an athletic complex that features lighted tennis courts, a track and field area, and baseball and softball fields. The school's campus is also home to The Fine Arts Center of Greenville. == Academic Performance ==

Wade Hampton consistently scores higher than both the national and state averages on tests such as the SAT, ACT, and EOC. == Curriculum ==

Core Subjects English In South Carolina, 4 English courses are required to be taken to graduate High School. Students are required to take English 2 and the English 2 EOCEP. Wade Hampton High offers many English courses including English 1 CP and Honors, English 2 CP and Honors, English 3 CP and Honors, English 4 CP, AP English Language and Composition, and AP English Literature and Composition. These courses count towards graduation requirements. The English department also includes courses in Creative Writing, Journalism , Film Criticism, and Yearbook Production. Mathematics In South Carolina, 4 Math courses are required to be taken to graduate High School. Students are required to take Algebra 1 and the Algebra 1 EOCEP. Mathematics courses offered at Wade Hampton include Algebra 1 CP and Honors, Geometry CP and Honors, Pre-Calculus CP and Honors, Statistical Modeling, Differential Calculus Honors, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, and AP Statistics. Also included in the Mathematics Department is AP Computer Science A. Computer Science In South Carolina, 1 credit of Computer Science is a graduation requirement. This can be attained through the completion of Fundamentals of Web Design or Advanced Fundamentals of Web Design at Blue Ridge High. Students can also take IT Fundamentals or AP Computer Science Principles online to fulfill this requirement. Foreign Language or Occupational Specialty A foreign language or occupational specialty credit is required to graduate in South Carolina. Foreign Language classes that can be taken to receive this credit at Any class in the Career and Technological Education Department at Wade Hampton High school counts as an occupational specialty credit. Career and Technology Classes Career Technology classes at Blue Ridge High fulfill the World Language or Occupational Specialty requirement for Graduation and are meant to introduce and prepare students to enter certain fields in the workforce. Many of these are grouped into pathways. Web Design Three web design courses are offered at Blue Ridge High. Fundamentals of Web Design, Advanced Fundamentals of Web Design, and Fundamentals of Web Design Honors. == Athletics ==

The 1968 football team finished with a 10–1 record and met the Greenwood High School Emeralds for the first South Carolina state 4A championship, resulting in a loss. The Sandlappers defeated the North Carolina team 21–7. The boys basketball team won state championships in 1970, 1972 and 2011. The boys cross-county team won state championships in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003. ==Notable alumni==

• Jim DeMint – former member U.S. House of Representatives, former U. S. Senator • Clyde Mayes – 1974 & 1975 Southern Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year, former NBA basketball player • John Michael McConnell – retired Vice admiral (United States) Navy, former Director of the National Security Agency • Jane Robelot – television news personality • John Piper - is a bible scholar, Baptist theologian, pastor, and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary in Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Rob Pitts - TV/Internet personality • Lucas Glover - is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour. He is best known for winning the 2009 U.S. Open. • Capers Williamson - track and field athlete ==References==