Midland Valley High School is helping all students develop World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by continually focusing 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 2026, twenty-eight students completed this program and graduated with associate degrees, the largest group in school history. Midland Valley High School administered 82 Advanced Placement Exams, and 192 of 325 graduates had a 3.0 or higher GPA which makes 60% of our graduating class eligible for a SC lottery Life or Hope scholarship. The class of 2026 has been offered almost $17 million dollars in scholarships for post-secondary education, 75% of graduating seniors are considered college or career ready by the state of SC, 11 are Palmetto Fellows recipients, and 6 students answered the call and will serve our country in the Armed Forces. Thirty students received over $100,000; seventeen students received over $250,000; eleven students received over $500,000, and two received over $1.0 million. Midland Valley class of 2026 seniors were accepted to college and universities in 47 states and every college and university in the state of South Carolina! This includes Alaska-Fairbanks, UCLA, Johnson and Wales, Mississippi State, Tulane, and Washington State University.
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 nine students complete our new Dell Tech Certification program.
Our DECA program had 2 seniors place top 3 at State Competition and move on to compete at the 2026 DECA International Competition, and 40 DECA Seniors are completers in the Marketing Communications Program this school year.
Our band, The Pride of The Valley, made state finals again for the second consecutive year. We had 11 students make Region Band. Concert Band received a Superior Rating. The Band program received the Outstanding Performance Award for the 16th time in school history
NJROTC is graduating 20 senior Cadets, their Orienteering Team and academic teams made the Area 7 Championship for the first time in school history, their Cyber Patriot Team came in 3rd in the state, and NJROTC contributed over 250 Community Service Hours.
Our FFA Chapter received the GOLD recognition for national chapter this year.
Midland Valley Athletics had another great 2025-2026 school year. Overall, Wrestling has a gold medalist state champion and 2 silver medalists. One of our seniors is SCAAA female student of the year for the entire state. Eight student athletes are 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
