Exciting Changes at Ridgeland’s Newest School!
RIdgeland is buzzing with excitement as a local school has just announced a fresh new name for the upcoming school year! Meeting Street Jasper & Beaufort will soon be known as Heartwood Community School. This adorable little school opened its doors in August of 2023, welcoming enthusiastic kindergarten and first-grade students, and now it’s ready to make a big splash in the community with its new identity!
A Strong Foundation for Learning
When speaking about this name change, Kelley Marsh, the spokesperson for Heartwood Community School shared, “While the school’s name has changed, its commitment to students and families has not.” Isn’t that reassuring? The school is dedicated to offering dynamic and innovative educational programs that aim for both academic and personal excellence.
The name Heartwood pays homage to the strong and supportive core of a tree—a fitting metaphor for what this school seeks to represent. “This mirrors the school’s mission of fostering stability, strength, and nurturing a vibrant community where students can flourish both academically and personally,” Marsh explained. Doesn’t that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside?
How the New Name Came to Be
Heartwood’s new name was actually the brainchild of board member Any Dungan, who has a long history in teaching and trained as a Master Naturalist. With her love for nature, she recognized that the core of the tree—heartwood—symbolizes the school’s purpose perfectly. Talk about inspiration from nature!
Class Sizes that Matter
One of the standout features of Heartwood Community School is its commitment to small class sizes. Marsh pointed out that the school promises personalized attention with two teachers in every classroom. This unique setup ensures that each child receives the support they need to thrive. Isn’t that amazing?
But that’s not all—Heartwood also focuses on the emotional well-being of its students. They provide enriching opportunities that extend beyond the classroom, including music programs, after-school activities, and the guidance of a skilled counselor. As Principal Jennifer Brown beautifully stated, “At Heartwood, we are reminded of the strength and resilience at the core of every child.”
A Brand New Space is Coming!
Excitement continues to build as the school is also in the middle of constructing a new state-of-the-art facility, which is slated for completion by the fall of 2025! This shiny new establishment will feature classrooms for both elementary and middle school students along with creative spaces dedicated to music and the arts. Plus, with tech-enabled environments, the students will be learning in style.
Heartwood’s new digs will sport a commercial-sized kitchen, a gymnasium, and wonderful outdoor areas that include an interactive nature trail and playgrounds that will make recess the most anticipated part of the day!
Growing with the Community
As Heartwood Community School continues to evolve, it will add one grade level each year, kicking off with a Kindergarten through third grade setup for this fall! School Nurse Sydney Lubkin is especially thrilled about this change, stating, “I am looking forward to developing ways to integrate health and wellness into our program.” What a wonderful initiative to promote healthy lifestyles amongst the scholars!
A Bright Future Ahead
Physical Education teacher Jeremy Hardy also shared his thoughts, mentioning, “Heartwood Community School will be a great asset to our community because it’s going to provide life-changing experiences and opportunities like no other school in this area.” Heartwood Community School is excited about making a positive impact in the Jasper and Beaufort communities while nurturing the next generation of leaders and creators.
To stay updated on enrollment or find out more about Heartwood Community School, visit their website at heartwoodcommunityschool.org. With so much happening, it’s definitely a school to keep your eye on!
