Camden – Today, school board chair Craig Smith issued the following statement announcing that Horse Creek Academy-Kershaw was kicking off a name changing contest and joining the Charter Institute at Erskine on July 1.
“This is a very exciting day as we launch a community-wide name changing contest for our school,” said Smith. “We are moving forward with record-breaking enrollment numbers and an enormous enthusiasm for school choice in Kershaw County. Our public charter school provides a safe, nurturing learning environment for elementary students and we are glad to see so many families across Camden and Lugoff joining our movement,” said Smith.
Horse Creek Academy-Kershaw derived its name from a partnership with a similarly named school in Aiken, affiliated with the Limestone Charter Association (LCA). Both schools have made the mutual decision to end their affiliation agreement. As part of these changes, Horse Creek Academy-Kershaw must change its name, a process that the school board has unanimously decided to put into the hands of students, families, and Teachers.
“From the very beginning, Horse Creek Academy–Kershaw was built on the belief that strong schools are rooted in connection, service, and community,” said Dr. Ann Marie Taylor, Lead Learner at Horse Creek Academy-Aiken. “It has been an honor to help bring that vision to life in Kershaw County and to expand meaningful school choice options for families. As the school enters a new season, we are excited to see it continue to grow and serve students well—because at the end of the day, it’s always about what’s best for students,” said Dr. Taylor.
Horse Creek Academy-Kershaw is launching its school naming contest with Phase I beginning today. Currently or newly enrolled students and their families, along with teachers, can submit as many names as they want for the new school. Phase II begins April 21, when the school board will release three finalists as names for the school, based on the submissions made, at its monthly board meeting. Students, families, and teachers, will then choose their favorite name and vote for one of the three finalists. Phase III starts on May 19, when the school board will announce the winning name of the contest at its monthly board meeting. Phase III concludes when the new school name takes effect on July 1, in time for the fall 2026 school year. The school board sent out complete details of the naming contest to all students, families, and teachers earlier this week via email.
“We are thrilled to welcome Horse Creek Academy-Kershaw into our organization,” said Vamshi Rudrapati, chief operating officer of the Charter Institute at Erskine. “The school has achieved amazing things in their first year of operation, and we are honored to support them as they enter this new chapter,” said Rudrapati.
The school will keep the public informed of the name change contest on its Facebook page over the next eight weeks.