Richmond County School System board has approved a plan to close and consolidate several schools and create a new College and Career Academy. All facility changes will take effect at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. Haley LaCuesta, Director of Media and PR for the Richmond County School System, outlined immediate steps following the board’s decision. Jenkins White Elementary School will close at the end of the school year. “That’s a pure closure,” LaCuesta said. “Those students will go to different schools at the end of the school year.” Barton Chapel Elementary School will consolidate with Glen Hills Elementary while a new school is built on the Barton Chapel site. “Those schools will combine at Glen Hills Elementary while a new school is built on the Barton Chapel site,” LaCuesta said. The University of South Carolina Aiken and Aiken County schools are collaborating on a cybersecurity and computer science initiative aimed at preparing students before they graduate. Josey High School students and staff will move to the Murphey campus at the end of the school year while construction takes place on the Josey site. Murphey Middle School students will also be rezoned as part of t
