
This Friday, April 17, we’re kicking off a brand new HCA tradition—the Village Bowl!
💪 Come out and support our high school students as Upperclassmen take on Underclassmen in a night full of energy, competition, and school spirit.
Girls Game – 5:00 PM
Boys Game – 6:00 PM
Bring your crew and enjoy a fun night with the Village!
🎟 Early bird tickets are just $4—prices will increase at the event, so be sure to purchase in advance!
👉 Purchase now at https://gofan.co/event/6359973?schoolId=SC100404
Be there for the first one… because you’ll want to say you were. 💙🏇

It’s almost GO time for our Elementary Fun Run! 👟
Have you registered your student yet? Don’t wait—head to MyBooster.com today and get them signed up!
This is going to be an incredible event full of energy, fun, and purpose as we come together to support our school and the Built to Last Project 💙
Let’s build momentum, spread the word, and get ready for an amazing day! 🙌

As we continue to grow opportunities for our students, we’re looking into the possibility of adding Chorus at HCA—and we’d love your input!
🎤 We’re exploring chorus opportunities for students across all grade levels, with initial planning focused on what this could look like for different age groups. We encourage all families to share their interest—this is how we shape what’s possible!
At HCA, we believe in creating spaces where students can connect, express themselves, and discover their passions—and this could be another exciting step in that journey. 💙
👉 Take a moment to fill out the interest survey here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/jKFU9mDiEX
Your feedback helps shape what’s next for our Village… and we can’t wait to see where this leads. 💛

Our final show was Friday night, and we’re pretty sure we’re all still singing “Tomorrow” 🎶
What an incredible experience, not just our HCA Village Players and Theatre Department, but our whole school! Three amazing performances—including a special daytime showing for our entire elementary school—made this production one to remember. 👏
❤️ From start to finish, this show was filled with talent, heart, and so much hard work behind the scenes.
🐶 A special moment from the week—our friends from the Aiken SPCA joined us, bringing along some adorable pups who are currently looking for their forever homes too. It was such a meaningful connection to the story and a great reminder of the impact we can have beyond the stage.
🌟 A huge shoutout to our amazing cast (both human and canine 🐶), crew, staff, and volunteers who brought this story to life in such a special way.
🎤 And a special spotlight on our very own Annie, 3rd grader Amelia May, who absolutely shined on stage!
👏 We are also so grateful for our fearless theatre leader, Joyce Culp, whose vision, leadership, and dedication made this entire production possible.
🎉With over 90 cast and crew members, there are so many to celebrate—be sure to check out the program in the photos below to see everyone who made this show happen!
💙 Moments like this are what make our Village so special.



Several HCA4Aiken student segments are now streaming and available On Demand on 4Aiken! 👏
👉 Check out our first Downtown Dish feature here: https://tinyurl.com/hca4aikenpizzajoint
We’re kicking things off with a delicious spotlight on The Pizza Joint Aiken 🍕—and trust us, it’s a good one!
📺 You can also download the 4Aiken Streaming app on Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire to watch right from your TV!
🎥 This collaborative project between Horse Creek Academy student reporters and the City of Aiken’s 4Aiken Streaming highlights some of our students’ standout feature segments. They’ve been behind the scenes all over our beautiful city—filming, interviewing, and sharing the stories of local businesses, restaurants, nonprofits, and more.
💙 This is what connection looks like in action—bringing our students, our city, and our community together.
More features are on the way—stay tuned as our students continue to spotlight the best of Aiken!

Whether you’re traveling, soaking up some sunshine, cheering on your favorites at The Masters, or just enjoying a slower pace at home… we hope this week brings your family rest, fun, and a little extra joy.
💛 Take time to recharge, make some memories, and enjoy every moment—we’ve earned it!
We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to campus on Monday, April 13 ready to finish the year strong.
Enjoy your break, HCA Village… you deserve it! 🐎🏖️

🎉 BIG NEWS, HCA! 🎉
Our Elementary Fun Run is almost here—and this year, it’s about something BIGGER than ever.
We’re working to raise $25,000 toward our most exciting capital project yet… The Built to Last Project 💙
This project is all about creating spaces that match the growth of our students and our Village, including:
🏫 A brand new building
🏀 A high school-level gym
🎭 A performing arts space
📚 Additional classrooms
💡 Athletic field lighting
🚗 Expanded parking
…and more!
👉 Check out the full vision here: https://aptg.co/MDpd88
💪 We can’t do this without our Village—and that means YOU! Stay tuned for ways to get involved and support.
📅 Mark your calendars:
💻 Registration opened TODAY on MyBooster.com
🎉 Kickoff Day at school – April 15
👟 Fun Run Event Day – April 22
Let’s come together and build something that will serve our students for years to come.
We are the Village. 💙💛

This week, be sure to check out updates on Quarter 3 report cards, important reminders about the upcoming school break week, and ways to get involved as we enter our busy volunteer season. You’ll also find information on Unified Day tshirts, new opportunities like our Elementary Guitar Club, a potential transportation partnership, and several upcoming events and celebrations across campus.
As always, there’s something for everyone in this week’s update—and plenty of ways to stay connected to what’s happening in the Village. 💙🏇
👉 Click the link to read the full Weekly Update: https://aptg.co/33KXDZ
Thank you for being such an important part of Horse Creek Academy.
We are the Village.
🎬✨ STOP SCROLLING, HCA… THIS IS A BIG ONE.
It’s OFFICIAL… HCA is now streaming! 👏
Today marks a huge milestone as our first round of HCA promotions is LIVE on the 4Aiken Streaming Channel — and trust us, this is just the beginning.
🎥 Starting soon, our very own HCA4Aiken student reporters will begin releasing their first round of feature segments. These students have been behind the scenes all over our beautiful city — filming, interviewing, and telling the stories of local businesses, restaurants, nonprofits, and more.
This is what it looks like when learning comes to life.
This is what it looks like when connection meets opportunity.
💙 A HUGE thank you to the City of Aiken for this incredible partnership. To City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh for his leadership and support, and especially to Gary Meadows, City of Aiken Multi-Media Supervisor, who has been working directly with our students — mentoring them in storytelling, production, and professionalism, and truly investing in their growth.
Because at HCA, We are the Village — and in a community like Aiken, where “if you’re lucky enough to live here, you’re lucky enough,” that Village extends far beyond our campus.
🎉 Shoutout to our incredible HCA4Aiken reporters:
Maeline Lambert
Isabella Massotti
Kruti Patel
Ellie Rodriguez
…and to our amazing teacher leader Karen Nelson for bringing this vision to life.
📺 Go ahead and download the 4Aiken Streaming channel on Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire — you might want it 😉
(We may or may not have a little something special coming soon for families who have it… 👀)
Learn more: https://www.cityofaikensc.gov/government/4-aiken/
👀 Don’t worry — we’ll be sharing when each feature goes live so you can follow along and support these students.
This is a big moment for HCA… and we’re just getting started. 💙💛

💙 At Horse Creek Academy, our teachers are the heart of our Village — and we love taking time to celebrate the impact they make each and every day.
🎉 Congratulations to our March Teacher of the Month, Mrs. Erin Thacker! 🎉
🌱 As our Elementary Social Emotional Learning Teacher, Mrs. Thacker plays an incredible role in supporting the whole child. She is known for being a hard worker, always offering thoughtful guidance, and consistently showing up with the kind of care and support our students and staff rely on.
👏 Whether she’s giving the best advice, lending a helping hand, or even jumping in to support programs like our HCA Theatre production of Annie Jr., Mrs. Thacker embodies what it means to be part of the Village.
💙 We are so grateful for the positive impact she makes across our campus — she truly helps create the environment where our students can grow, connect, and thrive.
❤️ Thank you to Chick-fil-A Aiken for continuing to support and celebrate our staff each month!
Join us as we celebrate and support our incredible Special Olympics athletes at Horse Creek Academy!
🌊 This year’s theme: Ride the Wave – United as One
Because at HCA, inclusion isn’t just something we say—it’s something we live.
👕 Grab your 2026 HCA Unified Day T-Shirt and show your support!
Every shirt helps us celebrate, uplift, and champion our students in the Special Olympics program.
📏 Sizes available: YXS – YXL & Adult Small – 5XL
💲 Cost: $20
🗓️ Orders due by 3:00 PM on April 2
👉 Order yours here: https://tinyurl.com/2026hcaunified
Let’s show up strong as a Village and make this Unified Day one to remember. 💙💛

✨ Each month, our students are nominated by staff based on what it truly means to be an outstanding HCA student — living out our pillars of flexibility, service, and connection through their actions, choices, and the way they treat others.
🍀 Congratulations to our March Stallions of the Month! 🎉
• Nolan English (4K)
• Maddox Nix (5K)
• Logan Hedden (1st Grade)
• Harper Bukiewicz (2nd Grade)
• Sealey Harvey (3rd Grade)
• Alyssa McIntosh (3rd Grade)
• Adley Mason (4th Grade)
• Kamryn Davis (4th Grade)
• Jayceon Curry (5th Grade)
• Harper Johnson (Middle School)
• Harlem Elmore (High School)
💙 We are incredibly proud of these students and the way they represent our Village each and every day.
❤️ Thank you to Chick-fil-A Aiken for continuing to support and celebrate our students each month—your partnership helps us recognize the character, leadership, and positivity that define HCA!

🐟 HCA Fishing Tournament Fundraiser 🐟
🎣 Cast a line for a great cause and join us for an afternoon of fun, food, and friendly competition—all while supporting our students!
🌻 Proceeds benefit student travel to FFA State Convention, leadership workshops, camps, and field trips.
📆 May 3, 2026
⏰ 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 105 Twin Creek Farm Rd., Aiken, SC
🌟 Everyone is welcome!
You don’t have to be a pro fisherman—or even part of HCA—to join in on the fun!
👉 Important:
👫Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult
🎒 Bring your own fishing gear, bait, and chairs
🍔 Food & concessions will be available
🏆 Hourly fishing sessions with weigh-ins and prizes every hour
💡 Skip the line and pre-register here: https://forms.office.com/r/RTjuYzcXCY
(You can also register and pay the day of!)
💼 Calling our Village Partners!
If you’re a business or vendor interested in donating prizes, please email kfanning@hcacs.net. We’re building 5 prize bags per hour winner and would love your support!
🎣 Let’s make it a great day for an even greater cause. We’ll see you at the pond!

Horse Creek Academy Aiken acknowledges that the Kershaw campus will be moving forward independently under a new name and identity this summer.
Earlier this spring, the Horse Creek Foundation made the decision to conclude its affiliation agreement with the Kershaw campus following a review of alignment with the expectations and standards that define the Horse Creek model. While HCA Kershaw has operated as its own public charter school, this agreement provided the opportunity to share in the Horse Creek model, brand, intellectual property, and collaborative approach. With the conclusion of that agreement, the school will continue forward fully independently.
In accordance with that transition, use of the Horse Creek name, brand, and intellectual property will formally conclude on June 30.
At Horse Creek Academy Aiken, our work is grounded in a clear and unwavering mission: to serve the whole child through flexibility, service, and connection. This is not just a philosophy—it is a daily commitment reflected in our classrooms, our culture, and our leadership practices.
A defining part of that work is our commitment to collective leadership—where leaders teach, serve, and lead alongside their teams, and where accountability is shared, not shifted. This model strengthens our school, deepens trust, and keeps our focus where it belongs: on students.
At Horse Creek, we hold ourselves to a high standard—because our students deserve nothing less. We believe strong schools are built on consistency, accountability, and a deep responsibility to the families we serve. That belief continues to guide our decisions and ensures that the Horse Creek model remains both meaningful and sustainable.
As the original Horse Creek Academy campus, we are proud to have played a role in expanding access to high-quality public school choice in South Carolina. Today, we remain focused on what matters most: delivering an exceptional experience for our students, strengthening our Village, and supporting future opportunities that reflect the integrity of our model.
⭐️ As Horse Creek Academy Aiken approaches our 25th anniversary, we will continue moving forward with clarity, purpose, and momentum—grounded in our values and committed to serving our students and community at the highest level.
#WeAreTheVillage

We’re introducing a brand new tradition with the first-ever HCA Village Bowl, gearing up for our big volunteer season, and sharing ways to support our students through opportunities like Senior Scholarships and the upcoming Fishing Tournament Fundraiser.
You’ll also find important reminders like last chance yearbook orders, updates on Stuff the Stallion, and a save-the-date for Middle School Formal—plus more ways to stay connected and involved.
At HCA, these moments are what bring our community together—and we love seeing our Village show up in big ways. 💙🏇
👉 Click the link to view the full Weekly Update: https://aptg.co/MYk24R
As always, thank you for being such an important part of what makes Horse Creek Academy special!
On Friday, 50+ students and adults came together for our very first HCA Campus & Roadside Clean-Up Day—and it was nothing short of incredible. From our campus grounds to the roadside along Toolebeck, our Village showed up ready to serve.
👏 Huge thanks to Keep Aiken County Beautiful for partnering with us on the roadside portion of this effort. If you’re driving down Toolebeck and see those bright orange trash bags—that’s the work of our students and families! They’ll be picked up soon, but the impact is already clear.
🌟 Special shoutout to our student leaders who helped drive this day:
-Elementary Beta Club
-Senior Beta Club
-High School Student Council
⭐️ You led with purpose, and it showed.
🌮 And let’s talk about that lunch! A big thank you to 2 Spicy Mama's for keeping our crew fueled with an absolutely amazing meal—well deserved after a morning of hard work!
At HCA, we don’t just talk about service—we live it. Days like this are what it means when we say We are the Village.
💪 And we’re just getting started… We can’t wait to schedule our next clean-up day. With more campus projects and roadside impact ahead, our students will continue leading the way in service—right here in our community.
🌎 Because when the Village shows up, good things happen.









🏆 Gold Merit for HCA Student Council!
We are proud to celebrate our Middle School Student Council for earning the State Council of Gold Merit through the South Carolina Association of Student Councils!
🔥 HCA is on a roll at the state level, and our Student Council is leading the charge with excellence, leadership, and real impact.
🌟 What does Gold Merit mean?
This prestigious recognition is awarded to student councils that demonstrate excellence in leadership, service, school involvement, and community impact. Schools must meet rigorous standards through projects, initiatives, and consistent engagement that positively influence their school and community.
And that’s not all… 👀
At the South Carolina State Student Council Convention, our students brought home multiple honors:
🥇 1st Place – School Service Project
🥈 2nd Place – School Spirit Project
🥉 3rd Place – Community Service Project
💥 They were also recognized as a standout example of student-led philanthropy and community service, and Feast Mode was highlighted as a best practice for building a unified school culture.
👏 Under the leadership of Mrs. Karen Nelson, our Student Council continues to set the standard—leading service initiatives, strengthening school culture, and creating meaningful opportunities for student voice and leadership.
This is what the Village looks like in action. 💙💛
Way to go, MS Student Council!

We’d love for you to join us for our next Horse Creek Academy PTO Meeting tonight, Thursday, March 19 at 6pm!
📍 Location: Dr. Green’s Office (Elementary Building)
PTO is such an important part of what makes our Village strong—supporting events, staff, and experiences that make HCA special. Whether you’re a regular or it’s your first time, you’re always welcome at the table.
Come connect, stay informed, and be part of what’s ahead for our students and school! 💙🏇

Get ready for a brand new tradition at Horse Creek Academy — the Village Bowl, where school spirit, competition, and community all come together for one unforgettable night!
🔥 Friday, April 17
High School Flag Football Showdown
💗 Girls Game – Upperclassmen vs. Lowerclassmen
Kickoff at 5:00 PM
💙 Boys Game – Upperclassmen vs. Lowerclassmen
Kickoff at 6:00 PM
🌭 What to Expect
Fun food, high energy, school spirit, and a whole lot of Village pride!
📣 Want to Play?
Student interest meeting in Commons A from 3:30–4:00 PM — don’t miss your chance to be part of this first-of-its-kind experience!
👕 Calling Our Village Partners
We’re currently in the planning stages and looking for sponsor jerseys for our teams. If you or your business are interested in getting involved, we’d love to connect! Email Coach Rosenthal (mrosenthal@hcacs.net) and Coach Dumont (mdumont@hcacs.net) for more info!
This is just the beginning… and trust us, you’ll want to say you were at the very first one.

We are incredibly proud of our HCA HOSA students who represented Horse Creek Academy at the South Carolina HOSA State Leadership Conference this week!
🩺 Nine students competed in a variety of health science events, showcasing their knowledge, professionalism, and dedication to future careers in healthcare.
🥇 A special congratulations to our middle school team —
Marilynd Mullikin, Elaina Penvose, and William Fishpaw — who earned 1st place in the state in the Health Education competitive event!
🌎 Next stop: International Competition!
Their state championship win has earned them an invitation to compete at the HOSA International Leadership Conference in Indianapolis this summer.
👏 A huge shoutout to our HOSA leader, Ms. Ashle Cooper, for her leadership, dedication, and the countless hours she pours into preparing our students for success. Your impact is evident, and we are so grateful for you!
We are so proud of these students for representing HCA with excellence and continuing to raise the bar in our health science programs.
The future of healthcare is bright… and it’s right here in the Village.

