River Bluff High School Gets Top Grades for Great First Year

River Bluff High School, the Expeditionary Learning School, part of Lexington School District One, opened its doors to 1,462 students in August 2013, and celebrated its first class of 129 graduates in May. Principal Luke Clamp noted that the school’s first graduates received over $2.5 million in scholarships with 6 NCAA athletic signees and multiple college bound students seeking admission to both two- and four-year colleges.

This video of Dr. Mick Zais, South Carolina State Superintendent of Education, who visited River Bluff High School recently, highlights the focus and vision of River Bluff High School:

Saluda River Club, the award-winning residential community on the Saluda River, is located just a few miles from River Bluff High School, which is a major benefit to homeowners with school-aged children who are looking for the best educational opportunities in the area.

Already during its first full year of operation, the students at River Bluff High School scored a number of major achievements, such as:

  • • Southern Charm (Show Choir) won 1st place with an excellent rating in their division category at the National Competition, Festivals of Music
  • • Chamber Choir won 1st place with an excellent rating in their division category at the National Competition, Festivals of Music
  • • Competitive Cheer 3-A State Champions
  • • Men’s Soccer Region 4-3A Champions
  • • Men’s Cross Country Region 4-3A Champions
  • • Men’s and Women’s Swim Region 4-3A Champions
  • • Men’s Tennis Region 4 3-A Co-Champions
  • • Gator Band 2013 SCBDA 3A Lower-State Champions
  • • A student was awarded honorable mention in the SC state young Filmmakers contest
  • • SC Society of the Sons of the American Revolution History Teacher of the Year for 2014
  • • Cheer Coach named SC Athletic Coaches Association’s Cheerleading Coach of the Year 13-14



“What a great first year! I am so proud of our students, who are taking full advantage of the many opportunities that are available to them, and of our staff, who are the real pioneers of the 21st century educational practices that we have introduced and implemented in our school,” says Dr. Clamp.

For instance, River Bluff High School has embraced Flexible Modular (“Flex Mod”) Scheduling, a form of scheduling where time benefits both students and teachers in order to create a true learning environment. Consisting of five-day cycles, the scheduling encourages:

  • • student management of time
  • • self-directed learning
  • • independent decision making

“After an initial transition period, the students are delighted by this new system of learning that allows for independent study and unparalleled access to their teachers,” according to Dr. Clamp.

River Bluff High School serves students in grades 9 – 12 and offers students from around the district an educational experience in two Centers for Advanced Study: Media Arts, Design and Production, and Law and Global Policy Development.

Engaging parents, teachers and students, the RBHS School Improvement Council (SIC) goals were as follows during the 2013 – 2014 school year:

  • • To support and encourage families and community members to be strong partners in our students’ learning
  • • To implement and support a backpack program called Gators Giving Groceries (G3) to provide meals for students over the weekend
  • • To engage in data-based conversations linked to school improvement goals that support Expeditionary Learning

RBHS is fed by Meadow Glen Elementary, Lexington Elementary, Midway Elementary, New Providence Elementary and Oak Grove Elementary schools, and is expected to grow to approximately 2,500 students in a number of years.

RBHS is also the only high school in South Carolina who has partnered with Expeditionary Learning (EL) www.elschools.org to design and develop engaging learning experiences for students that are real-world.  For River Bluff Learning is public and ever student is a part of a grade level CREW that meets daily to assist students in developing culture and character on campus.  This design has been instrumental in laying a foundational school culture that “feels like home” Dr. Clamp notes.  Students have really engaged in “Gator Style” and we are so excited about the future.

Now is the time to get ready for the new school year! To learn more about living at Saluda River Club within Lexington School District One or to schedule a private tour of this beautiful community, please call 803-358-3969 or visit www.saludariverclub.com.