This is my third year serving as the Head of School at Dorchester Academy. In the past 30 years, I have served as a classroom teacher, a computer lab teacher, a curriculum specialist at an elementary school, and a curriculum coordinator with a local district. I hold South Carolina state certification in elementary education, elementary guidance, supervision, and administration. I grew up in St. George and have lived here most of my life. After high school, I married Dwight Neil of Bamberg. We have three children, Rebecca (Neil) Wade and Jack Neil, both Dorchester Academy graduates, and my youngest child, Grace Neil, who is presently a junior at the Academy.

It is my belief that parents have the right of choice in the education of their children. Here in our small community, parents have 3 choices – either public school, private school, or home school. Here at Dorchester Academy, we believe that attending our private school is a sacrifice worth making.

I hope the following points will help you decide that our private school is a sacrifice you are willing to make for your child.

• Here at Dorchester Academy, we believe in educating the whole child, mind, body, and spirit.
• We are committed to providing a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, including both honors and dual credit courses, which serves our students and encourages them to progress towards the career of their choice.
• We expect all of our students to graduate and attend an institute of higher learning upon leaving the Academy.
• We believe it is important to provide an array of physical activities for all ages to educate the body through physical exercise and team building.
• We are dedicated to teaching morals and character based on Biblical standards to our students through daily devotionals, guidance classes, and biweekly Chapel services.
• We are a close-knit, family-oriented school where everyone knows your name.

I encourage you to tour our website, come by and visit our school and classrooms, attend one of our athletic events, and speak with our faculty. I know you will feel at home here too.

Sincerely,
Karen Neil