Fox Creek High ventures into planning new Middle School

EDGEFIELD COUNTY, S.C. (WJBF) —– Fox Creek High School is taking on an exciting venture as they renew plans to build a much-anticipated middle school. The new school could be located at the corner of Stevens and Shortcut Roads next to the high school. “I think the concern for most parents is, well, we’ve made the decision to send our high schooler here how do we get our middle schooler into that system,” Fox Creek High School Principal Josh Trahan said.

Aiken and Edgefield Counties are seeing significant growth. Leaders want to establish a permanent middle school that minimizes the need for future expansion and stays ahead of development. The plans were years in the making.

“We have a handful of teachers here who were at middle schools. They said, number one, keep sixth, seventh, and eighth grade separate,” he said.

The new building will have space for 600 students from across South Carolina. The exact educational programs and curriculum are still under development. “We created three halls, with a general common space where they would do lunch. And then we’ve got a gym, a media center, and some other labs and connectivity with it,” Trahan shared.

Middle schoolers can check out programs like drama, band, and sports at the high school, and maybe even join in later. “And that’s where I think their success begins to grow. We tell this to every family who comes in, get your child involved in something. If they’re involved, they now feel like they take ownership of their educational opportunity,” he added.

School leaders are completing their application to the USDA’s Office of Rural Development for $22 million in funding. Once funding is approved, the project will move forward with detailed planning and construction. Leaders hope to have the school open in 2027.

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