Midland Valley High School is helping all students develop World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by continual focus on the four Cs: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Our school promotes high expectations and lifelong learning to ensure our students can compete in and contribute to a global society.
We believe all students can learn and improve their individual performance and achieve high academic standards. Midland Valley High School continues to close the achievement gap and excel in general academic performance. The Early College Program, a partnership with Aiken Technical College, is a unique college-level educational experience providing students with opportunities to earn their high school diplomas while concurrently completing credits toward Associate of Arts Degrees and/or Associate of Science Degrees. By providing rigorous courses and competitive college-level experiences, we strengthen our students’ critical thinking skills. During the spring of 2024, ten students completed this program and graduated with Associate Degrees.
Midland Valley High School administered 130 Advanced Placement Exams, and 170 of 262 graduates had a 3.0 or higher GPA which makes them eligible for a SC lottery Life or Hope scholarship. The class of 2024 eclipsed $20 million dollars in scholarships which is the highest in the history of our school, 70% are considered college or career ready by the state of SC, 10 are Palmetto Fellows recipients, and 6 students answered the call and will serve our country in the Armed Forces. Sixteen students received over $250,000, six students received over $500,000, and one student received over $2.5 million dollars in scholarship offers.
We believe students benefit from a variety of arts, media, and Career and Technology Education. These programs make our students competitive global citizens by providing opportunities for students to develop innovation and technological skills. Curriculum such as Band, Chorus, Drama, Media Arts, Art I, II, III, Media Technology, and Music Appreciation are opportunities that promote self-direction and interpersonal skills. We also offer Production Operator Certification, and Agriculture Science Certification programs on our campus. Students can also choose to attend the Aiken County Career and Technology Center to obtain certifications in Welding, HVAC, Barbering, and many more. We had seven students complete our new Dell Tech Certification program.
Our band, The Pride of The Valley, placed 11th at the lower state competition and our Stampede Percussion finished 1st in their final competition and is the first ensemble from Midland Valley to have won a finals style competition since 2003.
Midland Valley Athletics had another banner year. Track had 7 student athletes qualify for the State Championship and one of our seniors won 2 State Championships: one in 100 M hurdles and another in the 400 M hurdles. Track also broke 13 total school records, 2 students will go to college to run on Track and Field teams, we also had the male and female Region Player of the year, and 1 is the South Carolina CAWS track athlete of the Year. MVHS fielded the first competitive cheerleading team in our school’s history. MVHS boys’ volleyball hosted their first playoff game in school history. The football team won its first ever 4-A region championship, completed the only undefeated regular season in school history, won 12 games, and set multiple offensive school records. One of our Senior football players became only the second player to rush for more than 3,000 yards in a season in South Carolina history. The football team had 1 region player of the year, 1 shrine bowl player, 2 athletes selected to the North/South game, 6 players selected for the Border Bowl, and 10 athletes going on to play at the next level. Most importantly, the 2024 team beat NA for the first time in 24 years. The girls’ tennis team had the Region Player of the year and qualified to play in the State Championship. Basketball has a player going to play at the next level. The Golf team went to the Upper State Championship for the first time since 1998. Softball made a deep run in the playoffs with a North-South Player and two students that will play at the collegiate level. The Baseball team has a player going to play college baseball. Overall, there were 2 State Championships, 4 Region Players of the Year, 3 Coaches of the Year, 8 that played for a State Championship, and 16 student athletes going to college for their sport!
We believe in a culture of continuous improvement, public service, and collaboration. Our students participate in character building programs such as: Buddy Club, Elementary Mentors, AP Ambassadors, Fist Bump Friday, and Reading Ambassadors.
Midland Valley High School promotes academic success, respect, lifelong learning, and citizenship. By holding our students to high standards, they will acquire a global perspective and become productive, positive, and responsible citizens of South Carolina.
Principal Sheldon Higgenbottom
