Dutch Fork High School

We are very excited to introduce our new Assistant Principal, Jennifer Brown. She will be officially joining us over the summer. We are confident that Ms. Brown brings the skills and passion to continue making DFHS the best.

Welcome to the Fox Family!

If you can't make it to graduation in person, be sure to catch it via the live stream link! We can't wait to celebrate our seniors and their accomplishments tomorrow!

🎉 School District Five will hold its 2026 high school graduation ceremonies Friday, May 22 at the Colonial Life Arena. To celebrate the moment near and far, the district provides graduation live stream links - visit www.lexrich5.org/graduation for details.

Graduation times for each high school are below:
🎓 Dutch Fork High: May 22 at 8:00 a.m.
🎓 Irmo High School: May 22 at 11:30 a.m.
🎓 Spring Hill High: May 22 at 3:00 p.m.
🎓 Chapin High: May 22 at 6:00 p.m.

🎉 Huge congratulations to Hunter Taylor from Dutch Fork High School for being named a 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program semifinalist! 🎓 Your dedication to academics, leadership, and community shines bright — we’re so proud of you, Hunter.

🎉🎓 SPOTLIGHT: Two Lexington-Richland School District Five seniors have been named as semifinalists in the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

Hunter Taylor (Dutch Fork High School ) and Elizabeth Yong (Chapin High School) were selected from 6,500 candidates expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in 2026.

Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, now in its 62nd year, is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of their accomplishments in many areas- academics and artistic success, accomplishment in career and technical fields, leadership, strong character and involvement in school and the community.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors for their accomplishments in academics, leadership, and service to school and community. It was expanded in 1979 to recognize students demonstrating exceptional scholarship and talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was expanded once again to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical fields. Annually, up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars are chosen from among that year’s senior class, representing excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America’s youth. Each year Scholars are presented with a Presidential Scholars Medallion.

A distinguished panel of educators have reviewed these submissions and selected 627 semifinalists. In the coming months, the final selection of the high school seniors who will be named the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars, and the names of those students will be announced by U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.

We hope to see you this evening as we celebrate our Class of 2026!

Congratulations to Annie Xu, a Junior STEM Honors Academic Magnet student, for representing Dutch Fork at the 2026 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF) in Phoenix, Arizona this past week! Regeneron ISEF is the world’s largest global science competition for high school students, and Annie presented her research about exosome-mediated neuroregeneration to high-level professionals in the field. She qualified for this competition by being selected as the Grand Award Winner at the USC Region II Science and Engineering Fair back in March.

Rising Seniors! It's time to take your senior pictures! Sign up for an appointment at seniors.legacystudios.com.

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Attention seniors and families! Mark your calendars and join us for our Senior Celebration on May 20th in the large gym. We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating all of your amazing accomplishments!

At Dutch Fork High School, we know great schools are built on the heart, dedication, and daily impact of exceptional teachers and we are proud to celebrate our Teacher of the Year, Jay Gilliam 🎉

During National Teacher Appreciation Week, DFHS partnered with Whataburger to honor Mr. Gilliam through their Feeding Student Success initiative. His students enjoyed a special breakfast, and he was recognized for the relationships he builds, the leadership he shows, and the difference he makes every single day.

Chosen through nominations from colleagues and community members, Mr. Gilliam truly represents what it means to be a WhataTeacher someone who leads with purpose, inspires with passion, and makes a lasting impact. He was also awarded a $1,000 grant from Whataburger to continue supporting his students.

We are grateful for partners like Whataburger and proud to celebrate educators like Jay Gilliam who make Dutch Fork High School a place where students are supported, challenged, and inspired every day.