✨ Celebrating Our 2026 Teachers & Staff of the Year! ✨

🌟 We are so proud to recognize these incredible members of the HCA Village who go above and beyond for our students, staff, and families every single day. It is truly an honor that these amazing people call Horse Creek Academy home.

🏆 Staff of the Year: Ashley McCormick
Ashley is always on call and always willing to help. From managing substitutes for a staff of over 200 (no small feat!) to supporting on-site volunteers, tackling lost and found, and stepping in wherever needed — Ashley is the definition of dependable and dedicated.

🌟 First Year Teacher of the Year: Will Mills
Will joined us after a career change, and we are so glad he did! He teaches Middle School Fundamentals of Computing and has already made a huge impact with his passion, creativity, and connection with students.

🛝 Elementary School Teacher of the Year: Misty Lee
Misty is a true rock in our elementary school. As a third-grade teacher and leader, her impact reaches far beyond her classroom — influencing curriculum and supporting learning across multiple grade levels.

📚 Middle School Teacher of the Year: Gavin Armstrong
Gavin has been a staple in our middle school for several years and continues to shine. Currently teaching 7th grade Language Arts, he brings consistency, care, and a deep commitment to helping students grow.

💙 High School Teacher of the Year: Valerie Steen
A true SPED superstar, Valerie serves our middle and high school students with disabilities and is always on the move — supporting Special Olympics, planning meaningful experiences for students, leading HCA’s STEAM Night, and so much more. Her heart for students is unmatched.

We are incredibly thankful for each of you and the impact you make in our Village every day. Help us in wishing a BIG Village congratulations to our 2026 Teachers and Staff of the Year! 🎉💙

3 months ago, Horse Creek Academy
Ashley McCormick
Will Mills
Misty Lee
Gavin Armstrong
Valerie Steen
SOY and TOYs!
🎁 Unwrapping HCA: 11 Days to Go 🎁
As we continue counting down to Open Enrollment for the 2026–27 school year, we’re spotlighting the people and values that make our Village what it is.

✨ Day 11: Voice
At Horse Creek Academy, voice matters. Students are encouraged to speak up, ask questions, and advocate for themselves. Families are welcomed as partners. Staff voices are valued, trusted, and heard. When people have a voice, they feel ownership — and that’s when a Village truly thrives.

📸 Check out today’s snapshot featuring one of those voices:
Pete Frommer — former Director of Aiken Public Safety, proud HCA grandparent, and leader of our HCA Heroes program. We’re incredibly thankful for voices like Pete’s on our campus and the wisdom, care, and leadership they bring to our students every day.
3 months ago, Horse Creek Academy
Day 11

🎉 Open Enrollment Countdown! 🎉
We’re officially 12 days away from kicking off Open Enrollment for the 2026–27 school year, and each day we’re continuing to unwrap what makes Horse Creek Academy special.

🎁 Unwrapping HCA: 20 Days, 20 Highlights

✨ Day 12: Safety
At Horse Creek Academy, safety is foundational. It’s the trust families place in us each morning, the preparation behind the scenes, and the intentional steps we take to ensure our campus is secure, supported, and ready for learning. When students feel safe, they can focus, grow, and thrive — and that peace of mind matters just as much to families and staff.

Because a strong Village starts with a safe one. 💙💛

📸 Check out the photo of our School Resource Officer, Kris Howard! We are incredibly grateful to have an SRO on campus this year and deeply thankful for our partnership with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office. Their presence and collaboration help keep our Village safe, supported, and at ease every single day.

3 months ago, Horse Creek Academy
Day 12
❄️ Happy Winter Break HCA Village! ❄️

💙 We hope the next couple of weeks are filled with rest, joy, and meaningful time with the people who matter most. Thank you for an incredible first half of the year—we are so grateful for each and every one of you.

We’ll see our students and staff back in the new year on January 5th, refreshed and ready for all that’s ahead!
4 months ago, Horse Creek Academy
Happy Winter Break!
🎉 Open Enrollment Countdown: 13 Days to Go! 🎉
🎁 With just 13 days until Open Enrollment opens for the 2026–27 school year, we’re continuing Unwrapping HCA: 20 Days, 20 Highlights by spotlighting what truly brings our Village together.

✨ Day 13: Community
Community at Horse Creek Academy means showing up for others in meaningful ways. It’s students learning that their actions matter, families rallying around a cause, and real-world service becoming part of who we are—not just something we talk about.

🤝 Check out the photo — our Middle School Student Council was proud to present the Aiken Homeless Coalition with donations of winter hats, pajama pants, gloves, and socks, all collected during our Jingle Jam Dance to help keep individuals warm this winter.

💙 This is what community looks like at HCA: compassion in action, led by our students.

Stay tuned as we continue unwrapping what makes our Village shine. 💫
4 months ago, Horse Creek Academy
day 13
🎉 Student Spotlight: Congratulations, Randy Williams! 🎉

⭐️We are incredibly proud to celebrate HCA Senior Randy Williams, who has been appointed by Governor Henry McMaster to serve on the Governor’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Council (GJJAC)—an impressive honor and a big deal for our Village!

🏛️ This statewide council is made up of judges, attorneys, elected officials, and community leaders who are dedicated to protecting and supporting youth across South Carolina. Council members receive specialized training in youth safety and education and meet monthly to help guide meaningful work impacting young people throughout our state.

Even more remarkable? To our knowledge, Randy is one of the youngest individuals ever appointed to this council. 🤯 Talk about leadership in action!

Randy’s voice, perspective, and commitment to service truly represent the very best of Horse Creek Academy. We can’t wait to see the impact he continues to make—this is just the beginning.

👏 Join us in congratulating Randy on this incredible achievement!
4 months ago, Horse Creek Academy
Randy Williams
⏰ Friendly Reminder Village!

👉 Tomorrow, Thursday, 12/19, is a half day at Horse Creek Academy.

🕚 Elementary dismisses at 11:00 AM
🕛 Middle/High dismisses at 12:00 PM
🚫 No aftercare will be offered

Please plan accordingly and make sure dismissal arrangements are set ahead of time. Thank you for helping us keep things running smoothly as we head into Winter Break—we're almost there! 🌲💙
4 months ago, Horse Creek Academy
half day
☀️ The sun will come out… because Annie Jr. is coming to HCA this spring!
And auditions kick off as soon as we return from Winter Break—cue the excitement.

🎭 Our HCA Theatre Department is thrilled to announce Annie Jr., with onstage roles open to students in 1st–8th grade and high school students leading all production roles (set design, choreography, sound, lighting, and more). This is truly a Village-wide production.

🎬 Who Can Audition?
-Boys and girls in grades 1–8
-No required ages, heights, etc. for any role
-Everyone is encouraged to try out—featured roles and ensemble!
-High school students will shine behind the scenes, running the full production.

🎤 Audition Schedule (All auditions begin at 3:20 PM)
-Monday, January 5: Elementary students auditioning for the role of Annie
-Tuesday, January 6: Middle school students auditioning for the role of Annie
-Wednesday, January 7: Tier 1 & Tier 2 auditions (all ages), this is for small featured speaking lines and singing roles
-Thursday, January 8: Ensemble-only auditions (no featured lines or solo singing); callbacks will also take place this day

🧭 Logistics for Families
-Elementary students will remain in their dismissal rooms and be walked to auditions by staff—no worries there!
-Parents may wait in Commons B during auditions.

🎟️ Performance Dates
-April 2 – School-day performance (student audience only)
-April 2 – 6:00 PM public performance
-April 3 – 6:00 PM public performance

🎟️ Tickets will go on sale after Winter Break

📣 Stay in the Loop!
-Audition packets are available in the Front Office
-Join Mrs. Culp’s Remind for updates, reminders, and important info
👉 Text @annie2026 to 81010

This production is shaping up to be a magical mix of talent, teamwork, and confidence-building—whether students are center stage or running the spotlight. We can’t wait to see our Village shine. 💙💛

🎶 Let the countdown to Annie Jr. begin!
4 months ago, Horse Creek Academy
Annie Jr.
🎉 Open Enrollment Countdown! 🎉
🎁 We’re officially 14 days away from kicking off Open Enrollment for the 2026–27 school year, and each day we’re unwrapping another highlight that makes Horse Creek Academy special.

✨ Day 14: Creativity
At Horse Creek Academy, creativity isn’t limited to an art class or a single project — it’s woven into how students think, learn, and express themselves every day. From the arts and hands-on learning to problem-solving, collaboration, and innovative thinking, we encourage students to explore ideas, ask questions, and approach challenges in new ways. Creativity helps our students find their voice, build confidence, and see possibilities beyond the expected.

Stay with us as we continue Unwrapping HCA: 20 Days, 20 Highlights — there’s so much more to discover about our Village. 💙💛
4 months ago, Horse Creek Academy
day 14
✨🎀 Save the Date! 👑✨

We’re excited to share that HCA Middle School Cheer will be presenting the 2026 Miss Horse Creek Pageant—a fun-filled weekend celebrating confidence, school spirit, and our amazing students. 💙💛

🗓 March 13–14, 2026

Mark your calendars now—more details are coming soon, and you won’t want to miss it!
4 months ago, Horse Creek Academy
Miss HCA Save the Date
🎉 Open Enrollment Countdown! 🎉
🎁 We’re officially 15 days away from kicking off Open Enrollment for the 2026–27 school year, and each day we’re unwrapping another highlight that defines who we are at Horse Creek Academy. 💙💛

✨ Day 15: Leadership
At HCA, leadership starts early. Our students are given real opportunities to lead — whether that’s through Student Council, clubs, classrooms, or service — learning confidence, responsibility, and how to use their voice for good.

💙 And leadership doesn’t stop with students. Our collective leadership model empowers staff to lead from their strengths, collaborate meaningfully, and feel supported in their work. When educators feel valued and trusted, it shows — happy teachers create thriving classrooms, and thriving classrooms create confident, successful students.

📸 Speaking of leaders… we love this snapshot of our Middle School Student Council — they are a great example of what leadership looks like in our Village.

More highlights coming as we continue the countdown!
4 months ago, Horse Creek Academy
15
🎉 Big congratulations to our very own Aliza Blocker, 9th grade!

We’re excited to celebrate Aliza, who has been selected as a 2025 STEM Career Connections Apple Watch Giveaway winner through the SRS Community Reuse Organization (SRSCRO)! 🍎⌚️

🧪This opportunity highlights Aliza’s interest in STEM and the incredible possibilities available to students who lean into learning, curiosity, and future-focused careers. We are so proud of her!

💙 A huge thank you to SRSCRO for investing in students across our region and for being such a strong partner in creating meaningful STEM opportunities. Support like this truly makes a difference.

Way to go, Aliza—enjoy your Apple Watch as you keep exploring big ideas and bright futures! 💛
4 months ago, Horse Creek Academy
Aliza Blocker
⛳ Golf Squad is Back at HCA!

Our Golf Squad after-school club is returning for a winter session and is open to K–5 students! Students will meet weekly with a Golf Professional, build skills, and have fun with friends—all on campus. Best part? All equipment is provided, and each participant receives a Golf Squad Handbook and a hat or visor to keep.

🗓 January 15 – February 26
👉 Sign up online at https://golfsquad.com/school/horse-creek-academy

Spots are limited—don’t miss it!
4 months ago, Horse Creek Academy
Elementary Golf Squad
🎉 The Open Enrollment countdown continues! 🎉
🎁 With 16 days to go until Open Enrollment opens for the 2026–27 school year, we’re continuing our Unwrapping HCA: 20 Days, 20 Highlights series — sharing what everyday life in our Village really feels like.

✨ Day 16: Joy
😄 Joy shows up in the little moments at Horse Creek Academy — laughter in the hallways, pride after a performance or game, students excited to share their learning, and staff who genuinely love what they do. We believe school should be a place where students (and staff!) feel happy to be, not just a place they go. When joy is present, confidence grows, relationships deepen, and learning sticks.

Stay tuned as we keep unwrapping what makes the HCA experience special. 💙
4 months ago, Horse Creek Academy
Joy
👋Howdy, Village!

❄️ We’ve officially arrived at our final week before Winter Break, and we just want to say thank you for a fantastic 2025. It’s been a full year of growth, connection, and community—and we’re so grateful for our HCA families.

❗️As we head into this last stretch, please be sure to read this week’s Weekly Update. We’ve shared some big news, and you’ll want to scroll all the way through—there are multiple pages packed with important information, reminders, and upcoming events.

👉 Check it out at https://aptg.co/lcjxD3

Thank you for being such an incredible part of our Village. We’re excited to finish the year strong and head into the break together!

💙💛
4 months ago, Horse Creek Academy
📖 A New Chapter for Horse Creek Academy 📖

As many of you may remember, when news broke last year about the closure of Limestone College, all Limestone Charter Association schools were informed that a new charter authorizer would be needed for the 2026–27 school year. After thoughtful planning and conversations, we’re excited to share that Horse Creek Academy will be transitioning to the South Carolina Public Charter School District as our next charter authorizer.

💙 We will continue operating under Limestone Charter Association through June 30, 2026, and will officially begin our partnership with the South Carolina Public Charter School District on July 1, 2026. We are incredibly thankful for the support, collaboration, and care Limestone has shown our school community over the years and for the strong foundation they helped us build.

💛 Looking ahead, we’re excited about this new partnership. The South Carolina Public Charter School District’s student-first focus, strong systems, and commitment to accountability align closely with who we are and how we serve students at Horse Creek Academy. This transition allows us to continue growing thoughtfully while staying rooted in our mission and our Village.

📌 Families can expect no disruption to daily school operations, programming, or student services.

👉 Read our full press release for more details: [link]
📲 And be sure to follow the South Carolina Public Charter School District on Facebook to stay connected and learn more about their work supporting public charter schools across the state.

💙💛 We are the Village.
4 months ago, Horse Creek Academy
HCA and SCPCSD
🎉 The Countdown Continues! 🎉
We’re now 17 days away from Open Enrollment for the 2026–27 school year, and the excitement in the Village just keeps building! 💙💛

🎁 As we keep Unwrapping HCA: 20 Days, 20 Highlights, today we’re spotlighting something every family values:

✨ Day 17: Growth
At Horse Creek Academy, growth is more than academic progress — it’s becoming. It’s watching students discover new strengths, stretch their skills, and rise to challenges with confidence. From our smallest learners to our soon-to-be graduates, every student is supported, encouraged, and celebrated as they grow into the very best version of themselves. 🎓

Stay with us as we keep unwrapping the magic that makes our Village thrive. 💙
4 months ago, Horse Creek Academy
day 17
🎁 Day 18: Opportunity
💙 At HCA, opportunity isn’t something students wait for — it’s something they experience every single day. From academics and athletics to the arts, clubs, leadership roles, and hands-on experiences, our Village opens doors for students to discover passions, chase new challenges, and uncover their unique strengths.

🌱 Whether it’s a future scientist in the STEM lab, an emerging artist in the studio, a young leader finding their voice, or an athlete stepping onto the field for the first time — opportunity lives here. And it grows with them.

More highlights are on the way as we continue Unwrapping HCA: 20 Days, 20 Highlights! 💙💛
4 months ago, Horse Creek Academy
day 18
🎉 Open Enrollment Countdown!
We’re officially 19 days away from kicking off Open Enrollment for the 2026–27 school year… and the excitement keeps growing, Village! 💙💛

🎁 As we roll on with Unwrapping HCA: 20 Days, 20 Highlights, today we’re shining a light on a driving force in our classrooms and hallways:

✨ Day 19: Inspiration
Inspiration is everywhere at HCA — in the way teachers spark curiosity, in the way students encourage each other, and in the way our Village celebrates every milestone. When students feel inspired, they push themselves, dream bigger, and discover who they’re becoming.

And tonight? Get ready to be even more inspired to join the Village! Be sure to check out our Facebook at 7pm! 🍿
4 months ago, Horse Creek Academy
19
🎉 Open Enrollment Countdown! 🎉
We’re officially 20 days away from kicking off Open Enrollment for the 2026–27 school year… and you know we love a good celebration 😉

🎁 We’re starting our brand-new series — Unwrapping HCA: 20 Days, 20 Highlights!
Each day, we’ll spotlight one of the many things that makes our Village so special.

✨ Day 20: Belonging ✨
At Horse Creek Academy, belonging isn’t just a feeling — it’s a promise. Every student, every family, and every staff member is welcomed into a community where they are known, supported, celebrated, and connected. When you belong, you can grow, try big things, take risks, and truly thrive.

☀️Stick with us as we unwrap more of the magic that makes HCA shine over the next 20 days 💙
🗓️And, mark your calendars...new students can apply to join HCA for the 26-27 school year starting January 1st!
4 months ago, Horse Creek Academy
Unwrapping HCA