Horse Creek Academy

🎆 Happy 4th of July from your HCA Village! 🇺🇸

Today, we celebrate the freedom to learn, grow, and serve together. We’re grateful for our incredible students, staff, and families who make our Village so special.

Wishing you a safe and joyful Independence Day! ❤️🤍💙

⭐️ Horse Creek Academy is officially in the running for Aiken’s Best Place to Work — and we’d love your vote! 💛

💙 At HCA, we believe happy teachers = happy students, and that’s why we do things a little differently. From offering South Carolina’s only public school staff daycare, to prioritizing work-life balance (no weekly faculty meetings—just podcasts!), to hosting intentional time for fun and celebration (hello, Staff Gala and End-of-Year Luncheon 💃🏻🥗)—we take care of our team so they can take care of our kids.

🗳️ Vote for us and your other local favorites—there are tons of categories, so be sure to fill out the full ballot!

📣 Know another Aiken County business, restaurant, or service in the running for Aiken's Choice? Tag them in the comments so we can share the love!

👉 Vote here now (we're under City Life): https://www.postandcourier.com/aikenstandard/contests/aikenschoice/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLSW4lleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFEdEZYYzM0QjRvYVF0QjVPAR6jafuODCuZBVtXPdn7f-eftxiQ8yLkZpROQBd0l7ybpJ-J02AJaFUfaI150Q_aem_0qg9b-MI5ngX3P4EpMzUvw#/gallery/?group=515456

Let’s show Aiken what makes HCA truly the Village.

🚨 BIG NEWS for HCA Middle School! 🚨

One of the best things about having a small-but-mighty middle school? We truly know our students—and that allows us to create unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experiences just for them. 💙

🌎 We’re thrilled to introduce the HCA Middle ExploreMore: Overnight Field Trip Program!

🚌 For the first time ever, each middle school grade will head out on their own overnight adventure this spring!

🚀 6th Grade – Kennedy Space Center
🌊 7th Grade – Historic Charleston
🏛️ 8th Grade – Washington, D.C.

These trips will bring learning to life and create memories that last forever!

📣 Join us for virtual parent interest meetings on Wednesday, July 9th!
🕠 6th Grade – 5:30 PM
🕕 7th Grade – 6:00 PM
🕡 8th Grade – 6:30 PM

📧 Zoom links will be emailed soon and posted here the day of!

📍 Plus—mark your calendars! We’ll host an in-person info session on campus in late August for families who’d like to ask questions, connect, and learn more.

📸 See pics below for your grade’s flyer—get excited!

🎓✨ A Magical Send-Off for the Class of 2026! ✨🎓

Parents and guardians—this is it. The trip they’ll remember for a lifetime.

Our Senior Class Trip to Orlando is more than just theme parks—it’s a chance for your student to celebrate their final year with friends, build lasting memories, and enjoy one last magical adventure before graduation. 💙

🗓 April 30 – May 2, 2026

🌟 Grad Bash at Universal Studios – exclusive access just for high school seniors
🏰 Magic Kingdom – the most magical place on earth
🛍️ Disney Springs – shopping, food, and fun before we head home

📣 Digital Interest Meeting: Wednesday, July 9 @ 7:00 PM
📍 On-campus Family Info Night: Coming in August

✨ This is the trip they’ll talk about for years! Let’s make it unforgettable.

📸 Flyer with full itinerary and payment details below!

🎉 Calling all rising Kindergarten families!
📆 Join us for Kindergarten 101 on Monday, July 28 at 6pm at Horse Creek Academy!

🎒 Whether you're a first-time kindergarten parent or a seasoned pro, this special event is designed to help your child (and you!) feel ready and excited for the big year ahead. You’ll meet our amazing kindergarten teachers, learn what to expect during those first few weeks (and beyond!), and get all your questions answered. This event is for all of our traditional 5K students.

📍 Location: HCA Gym
📅 Date: Monday, July 28
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM

🏇🏻 Let’s kick off this kindergarten journey together—We are the Village!

✨ Families in other grades—don’t worry! You’ll get plenty of time with us at Village Fest on August 7. We’ll even have special info chats during the event just for milestone grades like 6th and 9th!

🤓 New Blog Post Alert! 👀 There’s a lot of misinformation out there about charter schools—and we’re here to clear it up. 📚 Our latest blog post, written by Sarah Morris, HCA's Chief Impact and Communications Officer, breaks down the most common myths about South Carolina charter schools and sets the record straight with real facts. From funding and enrollment to certification and accountability, it’s all here—plus a few behind-the-scenes look at what makes Horse Creek Academy different by design. 💡 Whether you're a curious parent, a new applicant, or just want to better understand how charter schools work, this one’s for you. 💙 👉 Check it out here: https://www.hcacs.net/article/2290731

🎉 Surprise, HCA Village...we’ve got a special gift for you… 📚✏️ 👏 Supply lists are READY EARLY! Check the pics below 👇, look for an email coming your way, or view the PDF version here: 🔗 https://www.hcacs.net/page/supply-lists 👀 Coming soon this summer... 📌 Elementary Class Rosters ➡️ Available starting July 14 🕗 Stop by during Summer Office Hours, or 📧 Email hcarosters@hcacs.net (starting July 14) — be sure to include your child’s first and last name + grade level ⭐ Families of rising 4th & 5th graders: You’ll also find out if your child is in the GT class on July 14! 📌 Middle School Schedules 📍 May be picked up in person during Summer Office Hours. 📌 High School Schedules ✔️ Most were given out before the last day of school 🕗 Need a copy? Stop by during Summer Office Hours! 📌 New to HCA High School? 🎯 Be sure to schedule an appointment to get your child’s schedule: 👉 https://tinyurl.com/hcanewstudentschedule 🕐 Summer Office Hours: 📅 July 14–17 | 8AM–1PM 📅 July 28–31 | 8AM–1PM Let the countdown to the new school year begin, and happy shopping! 💙💛

📸 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! 💛💙