Anniston, AL — The Calhoun County School District welcomed more than 1,250 staff members from across its 18 schools on Monday for the district’s annual Institute, an event designed to kick off the new academic year with recognition, reflection, and renewed focus.
Held just days before students return to classrooms, the Institute brought together educators, administrators, and support personnel to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year while preparing for the opportunities ahead.
The keynote speaker was Liz Huntley, a well-known author and advocate for education. Huntley shared her personal story of resilience, emphasizing the transformative power of educators in shaping a child’s future. Her message centered on the importance of viewing every interaction through the eyes of a student—a sentiment that resonated deeply with attendees.
In addition to the keynote, the Institute featured a series of awards honoring individual schools for their performance across a variety of categories during the 2024–2025 academic year. Recognitions included academic growth, campus safety, staff and student attendance, and school culture initiatives.
Award Recipients Included:
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Clean Campus: EXCEL Academy
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Service with a Smile: Alexandria Elementary School
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Safe Campus: White Plains Elementary School
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Master Chefs: Alexandria Middle School
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Highest Employee Attendance: Weaver High School
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Highest Student Attendance: White Plains High School
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3rd Grade ELA Growth: Pleasant Valley Elementary School
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3rd Grade Math Growth: Wellborn Elementary School
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4th Grade ELA & Math Growth: White Plains Elementary School
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5th Grade ELA Growth: Pleasant Valley Elementary School
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5th Grade Math Growth: Wellborn Elementary School
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6th Grade ELA Growth: Ohatchee Elementary School
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6th Grade Math Growth: Alexandria Middle School
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7th Grade ELA Growth: Walter Wellborn High School
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7th Grade Math Growth: White Plains Middle School
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8th Grade ELA Growth: Pleasant Valley High School
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8th Grade Math Growth: White Plains Middle School
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Highest ACT Growth: Ohatchee High School
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Highest College and Career Readiness Rate: Weaver High School
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100% Graduation Rate for Class of 2025: Alexandria, Pleasant Valley, White Plains, and Walter Wellborn High Schools
The event marked a moment of unity and motivation across the district, which includes schools in Alexandria, Ohatchee, Pleasant Valley, Saks, Weaver, Wellborn, and White Plains, along with the Calhoun County Career Academy and EXCEL Academy.
With the 2025–2026 school year set to begin, Superintendent and district leadership expressed optimism for continued growth and student success.
*Pictures provided by Calhoun County School
