Academic excellence
Aiken County is not just a great place to live, it is a wonderful place for educational achievement.
Aiken’s devotion to academic excellence is widely recognized. In 2000, the Aiken County Public School District received the 2000 Smithsonian Computer World Award for innovative and successful use of Technology. The Aiken County Career Center’s school-to-work programs have generated millions of dollars in scholarships from local industries – proof positive that the business community has given a thumbs up to the area’s commitment to producing a skilled workforce.
With a much-honored public school system (School Match, a non-profit Chicago-based research firm that reviews data from the nation’s 15,573 school systems, has recognized Aiken County Public Schools as an award-winning school system for the 12th consecutive year), high-quality private schools, a first-rate technical college and a respected four-year university, educational opportunities abound in Aiken.
Several schools in Aiken County are recognized statewide and nationally for their model programs in the arts, middle school education, physical education, science education, athletics and community service initiatives. These honors include: The Verner Award, Palmetto’s Finest, Blue Ribbon Candidate, National School of Excellence, Principal of the Year, Milken Family Foundation National Educators’ Award, State Teacher of the Year, Service Learning, state agriculture awards, vocational education awards, state band competition awards and
others. Aiken County’s teachers have amassed more than $500,000 annually in educational grants, including grants provided by Public Education Partners.
The vast majority of Aiken County schools have received renovations and additions. Many schools are no more than 10 to 15 years old.
According to the 2005-06 State Report Card, Aiken County has a 74.4 percent high school graduation rate compared with the state average of 60.6 percent and a national average of 75 percent. The school system serves 93 percent of all school-age children in Aiken County.
Aiken County Schools at a Glance – K-12
Aiken County is South Carolina’s sixth-largest school district in population.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Aiken also has a fine selection of private schools, both religious and non-affiliate schools that offer comprehensive, challenging academic programs for their students. The wide variety of private schools in the area gives parents an option when it comes to finding the right school for their children from pre-school through high school.
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Aiken County is home to two highly praised institutions of higher learning – The University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA) and Aiken Technical College (ATC).
USCA is a public, coeducational university offering 35 academic majors and degree programs to more than 3,200 undergraduate and graduate students. For the past 10 years, U.S. News and World Report has recognized USCA as one of the top public baccalaureate colleges in the South and has awarded USCA four No. 1 rankings. As a focal point of Aiken County, USCA each year brings thousands of visitors to campus through concerts, performances, art shows and cultural programs at the Etherredge Center for Visual and Performing Arts and the USCA Convocation Center. USCA has more than 400 employees, and its economic impact on the Aiken area exceeds $100 million annually.
Aiken Technical College has educated citizens of the Central Savannah River area since 1972. The college puts students on a successful career path through more than 80 quality programs. Students may choose a career in business, computer technology, engineering technology, health, industrial/occupational technology, office systems technology or public service. Students can earn a baccalaureate degree by completing an associate in arts or an associate in science degree before transferring to a four-year institution. ATC’s Workforce and Business Development Division partners with local business and industry to provide innovative, customized training and consulting services to ensure the community continues to build a successful workforce.
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