Atkinson Named Principal of New Darlington-Area Elementary School

Darlington County School District’s (DCSD) new Darlington-area elementary school will be led by Kathryn Atkinson, according to the DCSD Superintendent Dr. Tim Newman. Atkinson is currently the principal of St. John’s Elementary School.

Atkinson has served as the principal of St. John’s Elementary School since 2020. Prior to that, she was the assistant principal at Darlington Middle School. Her extensive experience includes roles as a Coordinating Teacher, Teacher Advancement Program (TAP) Master Teacher, and as an elementary school and middle school teacher at several DCSD schools.

Newman praised Atkinson’s dedication and leadership. “We have witnessed the positive impact a new school can have on our students and their families, and we are eager for our students to have a modern, state-of-the-art learning environment,” Newman said. “Mrs. Atkinson has extensive experience in developing successful programs within large school environments. I am confident she has the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the challenge of merging two schools into one large, cohesive school community.”

Atkinson holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Francis Marion University and a Master of Education in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina. She also holds elementary principal and elementary supervisor certifications.

The new school will combine the school communities of St. John’s Elementary School (600 students) and Rosenwald Elementary School (64 students). This state-of-the-art facility is currently under construction and will open for the 2025-2026 school year.