FLORENCE, S.C. (WPDE) — A Florence teacher and Director of Mariner Learning Collaborative is seeing student success in real time.
Ross Hill is the founder and Director of Mariner Learning Collaborative that opened in Florence in August of 2023. He has more than 15 years of teaching experience in public schools, charter schools, colleges and homeschool.
He added he's also taught in a variety of settings from "pre-K and elementary age children’s church, VBS, and youth ministry, to middle school students, high school, college, and adults."
The school's website says, "At Mariner Learning Collaborative, we believe that learning happens everywhere all the time through a variety of sources and settings. While Mariner will offer classes based on the passions of the staff and volunteers combined with the interests of the members, we also recognize that much of their learning will occur outside of our classes. Mariner members will also have the freedom to learn through online courses, one-on-one tutoring sessions, one day workshops, college courses, a good book, discussions with their peers, YouTube videos, volunteering, internships, part-time jobs, and many field trips in the community. "
The students or members of the school seemed pretty tuned into the lesson when ABC 15's Tonya Brown visited the school Wednesday morning. The youngsters appeared relax and engaged in their work.
Hill said the school essentially combines the best parts of school and homeschooling, serving students ages 10 years old through high school. He said the facility customizes each child’s education and provides more small group and one-on-one help along with lots of practical real-world learning.
"It enables us to really tailor the education to each individual kid. Education shouldn't be a one size fits all. And so, we're able to do that in a Christian environment. Where every kid has a plan that works for them. That makes sense."
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The school's website says at Mariner, there is no predetermined curriculum taught.
"Instead, we offer diverse, engaging, and individually tailored classes, workshops, and tutoring sessions that are taught by staff, parents, community volunteers," states the website.
Classes and workshops are tailored for the interest of members or adults teaching them. The school also makes time daily for devotion.
Hill said it's very important and their mission is to offer the education that best honors God by "mastering the fundamentals of reading, writing, math and rhetoric, accumulating real life skills, and becoming Godly people, accountable to both their community and themselves."
The school is using a building owned by Hoffmeyer Road Baptist Church on Southborough Road in Florence.
Hill said the space is a blessing and more than accommodating to their needs at this time. He said he is seeing success of students each day.
"We want them to really learn before they're moving on to the next topic. And again, we have the space to really do that here. So, I'm pleased with the direction that we're heading," said Hill.
"We don't believe that kids should be pushed along based on a time table or an official time table. Or even their age. I guess some of our success stories would be when we have a kid that's able to get a job. Because of the help that we've done. Or they're able to start on college classes. Or, they came in struggling with long division, but we went back and worked on their time tables. And, now the long division is so much easier. That's what I would consider success," said Hill.
You can learn more about Mariner Learning Collaborative by visiting their website here.
You can also call 843-496-1113 for more information on enrollment.
