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About
Wade Hampton High School is a public high school located in Greenville, South Carolina, United States, serving grades 9 through 12 and primarily the communities of Wade Hampton and Taylors. Established in the fall of 1960 through the consolidation of Paris Mountain and Taylors high schools, with some students from Greenville Senior High School, it serves as a hub for local community and youth activities and is known for its community involvement and alumni in public service. The school underwent significant transformation when its original campus buildings were demolished and a new facility was constructed on the same site, reopening in January 2006. Part of the Greenville County Schools district, the school emphasizes a tradition of excellence in academics, athletics, and arts, with a mission to 'Educate, Inspire, Empower' students through personalized learning plans and professional learning communities. As of recent data, it enrolls approximately 1,791 students and is led by Principal Carlos Grant, though leadership transitions have occurred, including his announced departure after the 2023-2024 school year. The school operates under the motto 'Cum Audacia' and aspires to develop the skills outlined in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, providing a safe and rigorous learning environment. Wade Hampton High School is named after Wade Hampton III, a prominent 19th-century figure who was one of the largest slaveholders in the South, a Confederate lieutenant general, Governor of South Carolina, and later a U.S. Senator. His 1876 gubernatorial campaign involved violence by the Red Shirts paramilitary group to suppress Black and Republican voters. This legacy has sparked controversy, with efforts to rename the school gaining traction amid racial justice protests, including a 2017 student-led petition and counter-petition with 2,780 signatures to retain the name.