Hundreds Attend Spring Hill High Dedication

CHAPIN – Nearly 250 people gathered in Chapin on Sunday for a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for Spring Hill High School.

The new all-magnet Lexington-Richland School District Five high school was opened to students and staff in August, offering five academies: Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Entertainment, Environmental Studies and Exercise Science. The dedication ceremony included details about the area’s history, recognition of individuals and groups who helped plan the school, and addresses by Spring Hill High School students and staff, local officials, school board members and District Five staff. 

Spring Hill High School Principal Dr. Michael Loftin said, “Spring Hill High School encourages students to pursue their passions, developing independent thinkers who will continually strive for excellence. Striving for excellence brings forth leaders, and one thing I’ve learned quickly is that this school has a whole lot of leaders, including 85 members on student council.”

Students like Ninth Grade Class President Zachary Lindler, who led the crowd in a dedication pledge, played a major role in Sunday’s ceremony.  

“It was a big honor,” Lindler said. “Most ribbon cuttings are run by adults, but this was different … Spring Hill is different. It’s really a once in a lifetime opportunity for us, and I’m honored to have played such an important part.”   

The new high school was created as a result of the 2008 Bond Referendum, which also has allowed for renovations of Leaphart, Seven Oaks, Irmo and Chapin elementary schools. It also provided resources for ongoing upgrades to Chapin, Irmo and Dutch Fork high schools as well as the creation of Spring Hill High and a new middle school that is planned for the Chapin area.

School Board Chairman Robert Gantt thanked the community for their support of the district and Spring Hill High School during the ceremony. “We’re thankful to the citizens for passing the Bond Referendum which made this school possible and thankful to the community for welcoming Spring Hill High School to the area. This day would not be possible without you,” Gantt said.

Superintendent Dr. Stephen Hefner said Spring Hill will provide important skills to tomorrow’s leaders and problem-solvers.

“The future will belong to those countries that can provide meaningful jobs …We know that there will be limited jobs in the future, and this school will help prepare our students to compete globally for tomorrow’s top jobs,” Hefner said. “We look forward to all that the students and staff at Spring Hill will accomplish.” 

Around 600 9th and 10th grade students are attending Spring Hill High School in its inaugural year. The school offers rigorous standards-based instruction in all content areas and school-specific course requirements; supported by job shadowing, internship, and summer work experiences. Last month, District Five announced that Spring Hill High School was one of five schools receiving a three-year multi-million dollar grant by the U.S. Department of Education to bolster magnet programs. Spring Hill High School is open to any student in District Five.