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OUR HISTORY

Public Education Partners was founded in 1985 as a local education fund that works to build connectivity between the private sector and our public schools. Over the last 41 years, we have provided both on-the-ground supports and services like teacher grants, while also working at a systems-level through research and recommendations for policy and programmatic innovations. By collaborating with the community, educators and local organizations, PEP creates initiatives that provide critical resources for children and teachers to strengthen our public education system.,

PEP role and impact

PEP has played a critical role in Greenville County Schools initiatives, including:

* Introduction of magnet school and school choice
* ADEPT teacher evaluation system
* Graduate Greenville
* The development and launch of Greenville Early College
* The development and launch of the Greenville Alternative Teacher Education Program (GATE)

1985: With $5,000 and a passion for change, a group of community, business, and school leaders, led by Hayne Hipp, joined together to ensure our community would have an enduring voice for an excellent education for our children.
1985: With $5,000 and a passion for change, a group of community, business, and school leaders, led by Hayne Hipp, joined together to ensure our community would have an enduring voice for an excellent education for our children.
1986: The Alliance for Quality Education (AfQE) was founded with a commitment to excellence and innovation in Greenville County Schools. Hayne Hipp serves as the first Chairman of AfQE's Board of Directors.
1986: The Alliance for Quality Education (AfQE) was founded with a commitment to excellence and innovation in Greenville County Schools. Hayne Hipp serves as the first Chairman of AfQE's Board of Directors.
1989: After working with the organization in its early years, Grier Mullins takes the reins of leadership as Executive Director for the Alliance for Quality Education.
1989: After working with the organization in its early years, Grier Mullins takes the reins of leadership as Executive Director for the Alliance for Quality Education.
1990-1994: AfQE adopts the "Cities in Schools" project, which later became Communities in Schools.
1990-1994: AfQE adopts the "Cities in Schools" project, which later became Communities in Schools.
2010: AfQE transitions to Public Education Partners, reinforcing the organization's mission of collaboration with the district and community.
2010: AfQE transitions to Public Education Partners, reinforcing the organization's mission of collaboration with the district and community.
2014: Public Education Partners launches "Make Summer Count," at 18 high-poverty elementary schools. Make Summer Count launched as a summer reading initiative, featuring free book fairs to build home libraries in May and Family Reading Nights to engage with parents and students during June and July. In its inaugural year, 120,000 books were selected at the book fairs and 9 schools hosted Family Reading Nights with more than 700 students in attendance.
2014: Public Education Partners launches "Make Summer Count," at 18 high-poverty elementary schools. Make Summer Count launched as a summer reading initiative, featuring free book fairs to build home libraries in May and Family Reading Nights to engage with parents and students during June and July. In its inaugural year, 120,000 books were selected at the book fairs and 9 schools hosted Family Reading Nights with more than 700 students in attendance.
2015: PEP joins the OnTrack Greenville initiative to keep middle school students on track for high school graduation. The initiative, spearheaded by the United Way of Greenville County, is a collaborative effort by the school district and community partners.
2015: PEP joins the OnTrack Greenville initiative to keep middle school students on track for high school graduation. The initiative, spearheaded by the United Way of Greenville County, is a collaborative effort by the school district and community partners.
2016: PEP partners with Greenville County Schools on the Greenville Alternative Teacher Education (GATE) program, the state's first district-based alternative certification program geared specifically towards highly-qualified science and math teachers.
2016: PEP partners with Greenville County Schools on the Greenville Alternative Teacher Education (GATE) program, the state's first district-based alternative certification program geared specifically towards highly-qualified science and math teachers.

PEP’s program impact has been widespread, reaching 84 schools, over 5,000 teachers and over 76,000 students. Through donors, foundations and corporate partners, more than $18.5 million dollars has been raised to support Greenville County’s students, teachers, and schools. We invite you to help us build on this legacy!

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