Social Circle City School cuts ribbon on new elementary school

Social Circle City School students return to the classroom Tuesday, Aug. 5

Maria Hargrove, principal of Social Circle Elementary School, cuts the ribbon on the new campus
as everyone cheers the grand opening of the long-awaited school. Social Circle will start classes on Aug 5. Photo credit: Cassie Jones | MAK Photography for the Walton Tribune

After more than 30 years of waiting, the new Social Circle Elementary School is finally here. Social Circle City Schools held a grand opening for the new school Thursday, with hundreds in attendance to cut the ribbon on the campus, just a day be- fore the Walton County School District began its new school year.

Social Circle doesn’t start the new year until Tuesday, but that didn’t stop parents, students, local dignitaries and more from dropping by the new campus, which combines the old SCES with Social Circle Primary School, as well as the sixth grade students formerly at Social Circle Middle School.
“This is a day to remember in Social Circle history,” Maria Hargrove, principal of SCES, said to the assembled crowd. “This is a day we’ve been preparing for a long time, a remarkable moment for our community when two schools come together as one.”

Hargrove said the new campus, a state-of-the-art building on Social Circle Parkway, would be the corner-stone for Social Circle’s future.

“Welcome to the new chapter of our story,” Hargrove said. “Welcome to the new Social Circle Elementary School.”

Matt Remillard, the new superintendent of SCCS, said although he hadn’t been in the system for long, he was proud to be there for Thursday night’s historic moment.

“This is astonishing,” he said, taking in the cheering crowd of eager faces. “It’s amazing to see you all come out for this. Today is a monumental moment for Social Circle City Schools. This school has been needed for a long time.” Before formally cutting the ribbon and opening the building up for tours — and for Open House on Friday, preparing for Tuesday’s big opening for the entire system — Remillard gave one final welcome to everyone to the newest school in the city.

“Social Circle has long deserved a school like this,” he said. “We are delighted to share it with you.”