A specialized school in West Columbia recently celebrated educating students for a quarter-century.

Saluda River Academy for the Arts, an arts magnet school serving students in Lexington County District 2, marked its 25th anniversary with a celebration Nov. 13. 

The district notes that the school has been recognized with accolades, including being named an Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) Certified School of Distinction and a Kennedy Center Distinction in Arts Education winner. As of the most recent student head count available from the state Department of Education, Saluda River currently has 390 students in grades PK-8.

“We offer standards-based instruction in the arts for all students during our weekly classes,” Principal Brandon Brantly is quoted. “We also co-teach arts-infused lessons with homeroom teachers weekly, where they are able to learn essential standards in subjects like ELA, math, science, and social studies through the arts.”

The event marking the anniversary featured celebration stations, student performances, guest speakers and a school mural reveal, among other festivities.

The original Saluda River Elementary opened in 1955 before later shifting to its current role as a dedicated arts school. The release notes that dance was initially taught by the PE teacher, with the school receiving its first full-time teacher in 2009 in Kayla Jennings, who still teaches at the school today.

“The 25th Anniversary Celebration for Saluda River Academy for the Arts is a culmination of many peoples’ vision, hard work, teamwork, and true dedication to the value of fine arts as a component of a child's education experience,” Jim LeBlanc, executive director of the Lexington 2 Performing Arts Center and Fine Arts Programming and  a past principal at the school, is quoted. “Our school board and district realized many years ago the profound impact that the arts can provide students from a young age.  This translates well to participation in a wide range of fine arts programs in middle and high school across our district.  As we near the opening of the new Lexington Two Performing Arts Center this coming spring, many students who will have an opportunity to perform got their starts on the campus of Saluda River.”