Emmanuel Christian begins new year with new headmaster

Emmanuel Christian School (ECS) in Hartsville started its 46th school year with a new headmaster, $100,000 worth of campus improvements and 421 students.

The new headmaster, Clark Ballard, came to Hartsville from Aiken where he served as headmaster at Aiken Christian School for 11 years. 

Ballard has a Master’s of Education in secondary administration from The Citadel and has more than 22 years of experience in education, including seven and a half years in public education and the last 15 years in private Christian education. 

“I am excited about all the opportunities that presently exist at Emmanuel Christian, the opportunities for growth, and a strong staff and faculty that includes two doctorates and seven master’s degrees,” Ballard said.

In spite of the economic recession, school officials say the enrollment continues to be strong and has nearly doubled over the past five years.  The school added 89 new students in grades K2-12 for 2009-2010, bringing the total enrollment to 421. 

In preschool through fifth grade, two classes are offered on all but one grade level. 

“Our middle and high school enrollment is at a record high this year,” said ECS Upper School Principal Jimmy Beck.

“I think people are finally realizing the affordability of our tuition and the high quality of our academic product,” said ECS President Dr. Gary Colboch.

“Our average SAT scores were over 130 points higher than Darlington County last year, and we have classes ranked in the top 1 percent nationally.”

Over this past summer, ECS spent about $100,000 on renovations, which included technological upgrades across the campus. 

The technology project included new servers, upgrades for classroom computers, purchase of brand new laptops for students, a Promethean board and educational software.  The project is still under way, and additional improvements are planned for the future.

Info: (843) 332-0164 or http://www.ecscrusaders.com.