After four years of planning and construction, one of the South’s oldest public high schools is ready for its big reveal.
The Academy of Richmond County in Augusta will welcome students back into its completely renovated building on September 22. The $40 million project transformed the interior while preserving the school’s 1926 exterior on Walton Way.
“We are excited to welcome students, staff and families into a modernized Academy of Richmond County that reflects our district’s commitment to providing safe and engaging learning environments,” said Dr. Travis Wiggins, the school’s principal. “This renovation marks a new chapter in our school’s long history, and we look forward to celebrating it with our community.”
What’s New Inside
The renovation gutted and rebuilt the building’s first through third floors, adding modern classrooms, collaborative learning spaces, and safety upgrades. The project came in under budget after two years of planning and two years of construction.
The school kept its historic charm on the outside while getting a complete tech upgrade inside. Student schedules and teacher assignments won’t change when classes resume in the renovated space.
The Transition Plan
Students will experience a brief schedule adjustment as staff prepares the new classrooms:
- September 17: Students take their district devices home
- September 18-19: Remote learning days
- September 22: First day back in the renovated building
- October 10: Homecoming celebration and community open house from noon to 3 p.m.
The community open house will give families and neighbors their first chance to tour the transformed building. Media and community members are invited to attend the October 10 event at 910 Russell St.
All other Richmond County schools will maintain their regular schedules during the transition. The school district says dates could change if needed, with families receiving immediate notification of any adjustments.
How to Read and Understand the News
Truth doesn’t bend because we dislike it.
Facts don’t vanish when they make us uncomfortable.
Events happen whether we accept them or not.
Good reporting challenges us. The press isn’t choosing sides — it’s relaying what official, verified sources say. Blaming reporters for bad news is like blaming a thermometer for a fever.
Americans have a history of misunderstanding simple things. In the 1980s, A&W rolled out a 1/3-pound burger to compete with McDonald’s Quarter Pounder. It failed because too many people thought 1/3 was smaller than 1/4. If we can botch basic math, we can certainly misread the news.
Before dismissing a story, ask yourself:
- What evidence backs this?
- Am I reacting to facts or feelings?
- What would change my mind?
- Am I just shooting the messenger?
And one more: Am I assuming bias just because I don’t like the story?
Smart news consumers seek truth, not comfort.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
