Lowcountry Preparatory School

What Lowcountry Preparatory School does

Lowcountry Preparatory School is an independent, nonprofit private college-preparatory school serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Founded in 1995 and celebrating its 30th anniversary during the 2025-2026 academic year, the school operates on a 31-acre campus in the Hammock Coast region, 25 miles south of Myrtle Beach and 75 miles from Charleston. The institution enrolls students across four divisions (PreK, Lower School K-5, Middle School 6-8, Upper School 9-12) with a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio and an average class size of 12, reporting 100% college acceptance for its graduates, including admits to Harvard, Duke, West Point, and NC State.

The school's core product is a continuous PK-12 college-preparatory academic program, differentiated by its "Portrait of a Graduate" framework emphasizing Self-Awareness, Character, Service, Lifelong Learning, Leadership, and Faith. The academic program includes AP and Dual Enrollment coursework in the Upper School, dedicated college guidance services, and a competitive athletics program (Marlin Athletics) competing in SCISA. Supporting revenue streams include summer camps (Cheer, Music, Art) open to external children, the Marlin Club booster organization with tiered corporate sponsorships ($450-$3,000), and a multi-channel giving program (Annual Fund, endowed scholarships, capital campaigns, appreciated securities, bequests). The school is governed by a Board of Trustees led by Board Chair Erin Angner and Finance Chair Dave DeCenzo, with Vannah Scarborough serving as Head of School.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition ($12,000 for PreK, $13,000 for Lower School, $14,275 for Middle School, $14,900 for Upper School), supplemented by an enrollment fee ($500), curriculum fees ($500-$550), a 2.3% refund plan fee, financial aid, and South Carolina Educational Scholarship Trust Fund disbursements ($7,500 per qualifying student). Distribution is direct-to-family through a structured admissions process (inquiry, campus tour, application with $100 fee, shadow day, rolling enrollment). The go-to-market relies on a multi-channel approach including the school website, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, campus events, the PTO, alumni relations, and summer camps as community-facing acquisition vehicles.

Name

Lowcountry Preparatory School

Legal name

Lowcountry Preparatory School

Website

https://lowcountryprep.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lowcountry Preparatory School is an independent, nonprofit PK-12 private college-preparatory school in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, founded in 1995, serving families on the Hammock Coast with a 9:1 student-teacher ratio and 100% college acceptance. Revenue is tuition-driven ($12,000-$14,900/year) supplemented by donations, sponsorships, and summer camps.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM)

Keywords

• Private school education
• College preparatory programs
• K-12 education
• Early childhood education
• Summer camp programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Pawleys Island, South Carolina

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Primary revenue stream from tuition payments for PreK-12 education. Tuition varies by grade level: PreK3/PreK4 ($12,000), Lower School K-4th ($13,000), Middle School 5th-8th ($14,275), Upper School 9th-12th ($14,900). Additional fees include enrollment fee ($500), curriculum fees ($500-$550), and a 2.3% refund plan fee.
2. Annual Fund Donations: Annual giving campaign where donors contribute to support educational excellence, enriching experiences (arts, athletics, student activities), and secure/supportive environment improvements. Donors can give online via credit card or mail checks.
3. Endowment, Scholarship, and Capital Campaign Gifts: The school accepts gifts through appreciated securities (avoiding capital gains tax), matching gifts (employer programs), honorary and memorial gifts, bequests, retirement assets, life insurance beneficiary designations, and other methods. Parsons Scholarship Fund is a named endowment.
4. Athletic Booster Club and Corporate Sponsorships: The Marlin Club booster organization supports athletics through membership fees and corporate sponsorships at various levels (Pacific Blue Marlin $3,000 down to Banner $450). Sponsors receive yearbook ads, gym signs, banners, event passes, and recognition.
5. Summer Camps: Summer enrichment programs including Cheer Camp ($150 for ages 4-18, one week), Music Camp ($250 for rising 3rd-5th), and Art Camp ($250 per week for rising K5-5th). Friends outside the Lowcountry Prep community are invited to participate.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Lowcountry Preparatory School is an independent, nonprofit PK-12 private school that delivers a continuous college-preparatory academic program from PreK-3 through 12th grade on a 31-acre campus in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. The school offers tiered tuition-based enrollment (PreK through Upper School with AP and Dual Enrollment), supplemented by Marlin Athletics, College Guidance counseling, summer camps, a Spirit Store, and charitable giving programs. The core deliverable is a holistic, character-based education producing a 100% college acceptance rate with small class sizes (12 average) and a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio.

Product overview

Lowcountry Preparatory School is an independent PK-12 private school offering a unified college-preparatory educational program. The school provides Pre-K3/K4 early childhood education, Lower School (K-5th grade), Middle School (6th-8th grade), and Upper School (9th-12th grade) with AP and Dual Enrollment options. Supporting programs include College Guidance, Marlin Athletics, Summer Camps, LPS Spirit Store, Annual Fund giving programs, and the Marlin Club booster program. The academic structure builds intentionally from Pre-K through 12th grade, with the Senior Seminar Course as the capstone experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pre-K Program (PreK3 and PreK4) Early childhood education program for PreK3 and PreK4 students, providing a joyful, nurturing space where young learners ages 3-4 thrive through a hands-on curriculum building foundations in early literacy, math, science, and social-emotional skills. Tuition is $12,000 per year with a $500 enrollment fee and $500 curriculum fee.
• Lower School (Kindergarten - 5th Grade) Academic program for grades K-5 building strong foundations in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies with enrichment in art, music, physical education, technology, and character development. Tuition is $13,000 per year.
• Middle School (6th - 8th Grade) Middle school program designed for academic, social, and emotional growth during the transition from childhood to adolescence, with rigorous coursework in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies plus enrichment in art, music, technology, PE, and world languages. Tuition is $14,275 per year with a $550 curriculum fee.
• Upper School (9th - 12th Grade) College-preparatory program for grades 9-12 offering Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Enrollment classes, culminating in Senior Seminar Course and Marlin Legacy Speech tradition. Tuition is $14,900 per year.
• College Guidance Program Comprehensive college counseling service including individualized approach to identify best-fit schools, SC Application Day, virtual Financial Workshop, on-campus ACT testing, and preparation for college admission and enrollment process. Class of 2025 earned 73 college acceptances to 47+ colleges/universities including Harvard, Duke, NC State, West Point.
• Marlin Athletics Program Athletic program offering fall sports (Cross Country, Volleyball, Tennis), winter sports (Basketball), and spring sports (Golf, Soccer) for students in 6th grade and above, competing in SCISA (South Carolina Independent School Association).
• Summer Camps Summer enrichment programs including Cheer Camp ($150 for ages 4-18, one week), Music Camp ($250 for rising 3rd-5th grade), and Art Camp ($250 per week for rising K5-5th grade). Open to friends outside the Lowcountry Prep community.
• Annual Fund and Giving Programs Philanthropic programs including Annual Fund supporting educational excellence, enriching experiences, and secure environment, plus endowment, scholarship, and capital campaign giving options. Gifts accepted via appreciated securities, matching gifts, honorary and memorial gifts, bequests, retirement assets, and life insurance beneficiary designations.
• Marlin Club Booster Program Official booster club supporting athletic programs through corporate sponsorships (Pacific Blue Marlin $3,000 through Bronze $500 and Banner $450 tiers) and membership levels (Blue $400, White $300, Gold $200, Friend $100, Alumni $50) with various benefits including yearbook ads, gym signs, event passes, and spirit wear.
• LPS Spirit Store Online store selling official Marlin gear including hoodies, hats, water bottles, and spirit wear for students and families to represent Lowcountry Prep.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of graduates attend college
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Local Nonprofits (Animal Rescues, Food Banks, Local Schools, State Parks)minorOthersStudents actively engage in community service through partnerships with local nonprofits including animal rescues, food banks, local schools, and maintaining nearby state parks. These service partnerships provide students opportunities to give back while developing deeper connection to the community.
• International Travel Partners (France, Greece, Italy, Japan)minorOthersInternational travel opportunities for students and families to explore diverse cultures alongside faculty guides. Recent destinations have included France, Greece, Italy, and Japan as multi-week spring or summer break experiences.
• Food Service Partners (Pawleys Island Bakery, Smoothie King, Chick-Fil-A, Teakwoods, DeRomas, Jersey Mike's)minorOthersDaily lunch menu provided through partnerships with regional food vendors including Pawleys Island Bakery, Smoothie King, Chick-Fil-A, Teakwoods, DeRomas, and Jersey Mike's. Online ordering system with designated ordering windows and lunch coverage periods.
• South Carolina Colleges and UniversitiesminorOthersCollege Counselor hosts colleges across South Carolina to speak to students and hosts SC Application Day where admissions counselors work with seniors on applications and provide access to waived application fees. Partnerships include Clemson University Honor's College, NC State Honor's College, College of Charleston, University of South Carolina Honor's College, and others.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Spartanburg Day School: Independent PK-12 day school in Spartanburg, SC with similar college-prep mission and tuition band. Comparable as a SC independent day school, though serving Upstate rather than coastal families.
• Ben Lippen School: Christian PK-12 day school in Columbia, SC offering college-prep academics with character/values emphasis. Comparable as a regional SC private school with similar tuition band and Portrait-of-a-Graduate-style mission framing.
• Augusta Preparatory Day School: Independent PK-12 day school in Augusta, GA with college-prep academics and small class sizes. Comparable as a Southeast independent day school with similar enrollment scale and tuition band, though serving a different metro.
• Savannah Country Day School: Independent PK-12 day school in Savannah, GA with similar college-prep mission and coastal-Southeast positioning. Comparable as a nonsectarian independent school serving coastal Southeast families at similar price points.
• Bishop England High School: Catholic high school in Charleston, SC serving grades 9-12 in the same Lowcountry/SC coastal market. Comparable as a regional private school with overlapping feeder geography and college-prep focus, though denominational.

Direct peers

• Hammond School: Independent PK-12 college-preparatory school in Columbia, SC with comparable tuition, mission, and small-class-size positioning. Comparable as a nonsectarian independent school serving SC families seeking college-prep academics.
• Carolina Day School: Independent PK-12 day school in Asheville, NC offering college-preparatory academics with character education. Comparable as a non-urban independent day school in the Southeast with similar tuition band and mission focus.
• Heathwood Hall Episcopal School: Independent K-12 school in Columbia, SC offering college-prep curriculum with character development emphasis. Comparable as a SC independent day school with strong college placement outcomes.
• Porter-Gaud School: Independent PK-12 day school in Charleston, SC serving the Lowcountry coastal region. Directly comparable as a college-preparatory private school operating in a similar South Carolina geography with overlapping feeder families from the coastal corridor.
• Ashley Hall: Independent PK-12 day school in Charleston, SC, with similar college-preparatory mission, small class sizes, and AP/Dual Enrollment offerings. Comparable as a regional nonsectarian private school in the SC coastal market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@lowcountrypreparatoryschoo1185
• Facebookfacebook.com/LowcountryPrepSchool
• Instagraminstagram.com/lowcountrypreparatoryschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lowcountry-preparatory-school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lowcountry Preparatory School