Horse Creek Academy

📸 Class of 2026—It’s Senior Photo Time! 🎓 ⏰ Let the countdown to graduation begin with your senior pictures! 📍 Photo sessions will be held on campus in Commons B on July 17 & 18. Choose the session that works best for you: ✨ Full Session (multiple poses + outfit changes): Sign up at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C4BAEAE2FA3FE3-57290019-aiken 🎓 Formal Pose Only: Sign up at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C4BAEAE2FA3FE3-57290017-aiken 🎉 Don’t wait—spots will go fast! Let’s make these memories count, Class of 2026!

🎉 Village Fest is coming! 🎉 Join us on Thursday, August 7th from 3–7 PM for an afternoon of fun, food, and connection at Horse Creek Academy! We’re pulling out all the stops to kick off the new school year with our biggest Village event yet! 🌟 🍕 FOOD TRUCK LINEUP: Kono Pizza • Lily Coffee & Tea • Flanigan's Ice Cream All the Fix'ns • Palmetto Bowls • The Skinny Taco • Funnel Cake Lounge ⛳️ Special Attractions: • Mini golf fun with Big Putts • Jump houses & obstacle course by All Star Jumpers • School Store open for HCA merch and swag • PTO Uniform Shop with gently used uniforms for sale 🎈Whether you're new to the Village or a returning family, Village Fest is the perfect chance to meet staff, connect with other families, and celebrate all things HCA. 📍Mark your calendar and bring your family and friends—we can’t wait to see you there!

🎣 Student Spotlight: Caleb Godson 🎣 👏 Let’s give a huge shoutout to rising HCA senior Caleb Godson, who is competing this week in the Student Angler Federation (SAF) High School Fishing Nationals and World Finals on Grand Lake of the Cherokees in Grove, Oklahoma! Go Boat 82! 🐟 Caleb has been part of NAFT for five years and has earned Angler of the Year twice! This year, he and his fishing partner, Asher Ready, qualified for TBF Nationals—an incredible achievement with only 200 across the country making the cut. 🚤 Beyond the boat, Caleb is a consistent honor roll student, a proud member of the HCA FFA, and works for his family’s landscaping business. After graduation, he plans to attend Clemson University to pursue a degree in Environmental Engineering. 🌱🎓 🎣 We’re proud of you, Caleb—good luck reeling in a win at Nationals!

🎨✨ CLASS OF 2026 — IT'S YOUR TIME TO SHINE! Senior Spot Painting Day is happening Thursday, July 24 from 10AM–1PM, and we can’t wait to see your creativity in action! Grab your brushes, bring your ideas, and make your mark on campus before senior year officially begins. Let’s make this tradition bold, bright, and totally you. ✅ Sign up here: https://forms.gle/WT3YnGN7845nVSLD8 💵 Pay the $25 painting fee here: https://tinyurl.com/26spotpainting 🎓 Let’s go, Class of 2026!

🎉 Big congratulations to rising sophomore Shaina Rivers on her acceptance into the ACCELERATE Dual Enrollment Engineering Program—a prestigious partnership between Horse Creek Academy and the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics! Shaina is an honor roll student with big dreams of attending Cornell University after graduation. As the only HCA student accepted into this year’s program, she’s setting the bar high for academic excellence and leadership in STEM. We are so proud of Shaina’s drive, dedication, and determination to pursue advanced opportunities and inspire others along the way. 🚀💡 Way to go, Shaina! Keep reaching for the stars! 🌟

School’s out, but the support is still IN! 🎉☀️ Don’t take a break from giving back this summer — every swipe of your Horse Creek Academy Affinity Debit Card = free money for our school! 💳💥 It’s the easiest way to keep making a difference while you’re out having fun — whether you’re grabbing ice cream 🍦, filling up on gas ⛽️, or shopping for your summer adventures 🛍️🌴! Let’s keep the school spirit alive all summer long; plus you get a 5% discount in the school store when you use your HCA SRP Card!! 🏫❤️ 👉 Learn more at www.srpfcu.org/AffinityCards #SRPAffinityCard #SupportYourSchool #SRPFederalCreditUnion #GoodThingsAREHappeningatSRP

🎉 Help us give a huge congratulations to Mr. Travis Phillips on being named a Bronze-Level South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teacher by State Treasurer Curtis Loftis! 💰 Mr. Phillips is one of just 33 educators across the state to receive this honor as part of the prestigious Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program. His commitment to preparing students with essential financial skills is making a real impact—in and beyond the classroom. We’re so proud to have leaders like Mr. Phillips representing our Village and empowering the next generation with knowledge that lasts a lifetime! 👏

🎭✨ Can you spy some familiar faces in the Aiken Community Youth Theatre’s Peter Pan? Several of our very own HCA stars took the stage tonight with a fantastic performance at Good Girl Brewery—and we couldn’t be prouder! 💚👏 🌟 Shoutout to these incredible HCA students in the cast: Landon Thacker Annabelle Harris Paisley Jeffcoat And a special shoutout to Eryn Fox, the show’s director—and one of our amazing HCA seniors who just graduated! What a way to leave your mark! 🎬🎓💫 🧚 If you haven’t seen the show yet, there’s still time to catch it: 📅 Thursday, 6/12 🕥 10:30 AM @ Aiken Community Theatre 🌙 7:00 PM @ New Ellenton Farmer’s Market (201 Pine Hill Ave) 📅 Friday, 6/13 🕥 10:30 AM @ Nancy Carson Library Come support local theatre and cheer on our HCA Village doing big things in the arts! 🎉 And a big thanks to all of our HCA families and staff who have come out to support the production! 👏

📣 Due to some exciting shifts on our team, we now have TWO amazing ELA teaching positions open—one in 6th grade and one in 8th grade! Middle school at HCA is more than just a transition—it's an unforgettable journey full of growth, connection, and discovery. If you're passionate about empowering students and building strong relationships, this is your moment. 💛 Come be a part of something special. Join the Village. Apply today! 📧 Email your resume to Dr. Taylor at ataylor@hcacs.net.

🌍 Our Village Voyage Contest is Back! 🌍 It’s time to pack your bags — and your HCA gear! ✈️ Whether you’re off to the beach, exploring new cities, or traveling across the globe, we want to see how far the Village can go this summer! 📸 Snap a pic wearing a Horse Creek Academy T-shirt during your adventures 📍 Share where you are in the photo 🏆 The picture taken the furthest distance from our Aiken campus wins a prize! 👉 To enter, post your photo in the comments or tag us ! 📅 Contest runs from June 7 through August 6 Let’s make this our biggest Village Voyage yet — happy travels!

☀️ New Blog Post from Dr. Taylor! ⚖️😊 As we head into summer, Dr. Ann Marie Taylor is reflecting on her time teaching Criminology and The Psychology of Happiness — and how stepping into the classroom keeps her grounded, connected, and joyful as a school leader. At HCA, leadership means more than titles — it means showing up, teaching alongside our students, and modeling what true connection looks like. This post is a powerful glimpse into the heart of how we lead. 💛 📖 Check out the blog here: https://www.hcacs.net/article/2259743

🎨👕 It's Back—Our HCA Summer T-Shirt Design Contest! Calling all creative Villagers! We're excited to launch our 2nd Annual Summer T-Shirt Design Contest—your chance to help create the next official HCA spirit shirt! 🗓 Contest Dates: June 6–30 📥 Submit your design via the form below by June 30 to be considered! 🖌 Open to all students, staff, and families in the Village! Our winning design will be turned into a limited-edition t-shirt available at Village Fest in August! 🎯 Design Tips: -Highlight our school spirit, “We Are the Village” mindset, or themes like flexibility, service, or connection. -Keep it clean, fun, and school-appropriate -One entry per person 📧 Submit entries to https://forms.gle/1VWSLmQ71a4rCrUy5 We can't wait to see your creativity come to life!

🎉 And that’s a wrap on the 2024–2025 school year! 💙 From the very first day to the final afternoon carline, thank you for being part of the Village. Your support, kindness, and partnership mean the world to us—and to your children. ☀️ We hope your summer is filled with laughter, sunshine, rest, and memory-making. Whether you're traveling far or staying close to home, don’t forget—we’ll be cheering you on until we see you again. Have an amazing summer, HCA Village! 💛💙

🎉 Exciting High School Schedule Update! 🎉 🙌 HCA High School students received their class schedules for next year during lunch today! If your student missed it or was absent—no worries! Schedules can still be picked up during our summer office hours, and everyone will receive a fresh copy on the first day of school. ❓ Got questions? Check out the FAQ below or reach out to your counselor: 📧 Mrs. Reese – lreese@hcacs.net 📧 Mrs. Watson – swatson@hcacs.net 📧 Mrs. Tice – stice@hcacs.net 📣 New to HCA High School next year? Make sure you’re all set by setting up an appointment to get your child's schedule. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/hcanewstudentschedule 🔄 Need to request a schedule change? 👉 Submit your request here: https://tinyurl.com/HCAschedulechange25 📌 Note: During Village Fest, counselors will only be available to meet with new students who do not yet have a schedule. No schedule changes will be made on that day. Next year is going to be our best school year yet! 💙💛 PS: Elementary and Middle School Families, remember your class assignments will be released July 14!

🎉 Aiken’s Choice Nominations are OPEN — and we need your help! 🏆 Horse Creek Academy is up for Best Place to Work in the 2025 Aiken’s Choice Awards — and we’d love your nomination! You'll find Best Place to Work under the City Life category. 💛 At HCA, we believe happy teachers = happy students. Our staff culture is built on connection, support, and valuing work/life balance—because when our team thrives, our students do too. ⭐️ Last year, we were honored to finish 2nd, and with your support (and daily nominations!), we’re aiming for the top spot this year! 🗓 Nominations are open now through June 8 (make sure to write out "Horse Creek Academy") 📲 Make your nomination here: https://www.postandcourier.com/aikenstandard/contests/aikenschoice/#// ✅ Pro tip: Your ballot may need to be 25% complete to count 🗳 You can nominate once per day 💬 Don’t forget to support your other favorite local businesses too! Let’s show Aiken what makes the Village such a special place to work, learn, and grow! #WeAreTheVillage #AikensChoice

🎉 End-of-Year Surprise! 🎉 As a little gift to our amazing students for finishing strong, the rest of the week is officially… FREE DRESS DAYS! 👕👟🎒 That’s right—Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are all free dress for all students! Just remember to keep it school-appropriate as we wrap up an incredible year. 💛 We’re so proud of everything our students have accomplished—let’s finish the year with smiles, style, and lots of Village spirit!

Even though school’s out soon, we’re still here to help this summer—just on a different schedule! 🏫 Our front office will be open from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM on the following dates: 🔹 June 16–19 🔹 July 14–17 🔹 July 28–31 📋 Mark your calendars for Monday, July 14th! That’s when 2025–26 supply lists, elementary class rosters, and middle/high school schedules will all be available! ➡️ Supply lists will be posted on our website and Facebook. ➡️ Elementary families can email hcarosters@hcacs.net (include your child’s name and grade level) or call the main office to get their class roster. ➡️ Middle/High families can stop by the front office during summer hours (on/after July14) to pick up schedules.

🚨 We’re Hiring! 🚨 Horse Creek Academy is looking to grow our Village with two exciting opportunities: 👩‍🏫 Certified Elementary SPED Teacher – Join our passionate team dedicated to serving the whole child through flexibility, service, and connection. Email resumes to jeichelberger@hcacs.net 👶 Staff Day Care Worker – Help care for the littlest members of the Village in our on-campus staff day care program! Email resumes to pmurray@hcacs.net If you're mission-driven and ready to make an impact, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and be part of one of Aiken’s Best Places to Work!

🎓 Today is the day, Class of 2025.🎓 ⭐️ Today, we celebrate the incredible journey of our second-ever graduating class at Horse Creek Academy—a group of students who have left their mark on our Village in ways both big and small. You've shown resilience, heart, and leadership, and today, we honor all that you are and all you're becoming. 💙 The image below is more than just a photo—it's a mosaic made up of each and every senior in the Class of 2025. Zoom in. Find your graduate. Smile. Cry a little. And know that every single face represents a story of growth, grit, and greatness. 📲 To those unable to join us in person, we invite you to tune in and celebrate from wherever you are. Graduation will be livestreamed at the link below—so gather your loved ones, grab some tissues, and cheer on these remarkable students as they cross the stage. 📺 https://www.hcacs.net/page/hca-2025-graduation-live-stream We are so proud of you, Class of 2025. You’ll always be part of the Village. 💛

🎓 HCA Valedictorian Spotlight: Leanilla Stone 🎓 🎉 Please join us in celebrating Horse Creek Academy’s Class of 2025 Valedictorian, Leanilla Stone! Lea has truly exemplified what it means to be a scholar, leader, and Village member. A dedicated A Honor Roll student and Honor Graduate, Lea has earned distinction as a Palmetto Fellow and has been accepted into the Capstone Scholars Program at the University of South Carolina, where she will continue her academic journey this fall. Throughout her time at HCA, Lea has balanced rigorous academics with meaningful involvement in the life of the school. She has been a proud member of the National Honor Society, BETA Club, Village Players Theater, and was a standout athlete on our Varsity Soccer team. Lea’s drive, kindness, and leadership have left a lasting impression, and we can’t wait to see the impact she’ll make in the world. Congratulations, Lea—you make us proud to be the Village. 💙💛