Augusta, GA
Local students prep as Georgia standardized testing returns
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Georgia Board of Regents will require students to take the ACT or SAT to get into four universities in the fall of 2026.
Those schools include Georgia State University, Georgia Southern University, Kennesaw State University and Augusta University.
Test requirements had already been restored for the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech and Georgia College and State University — the system’s three most selective schools.
All of this means things are starting to return to how they were pre-COVID.
Both Richmond and Columbia county schools said just because the state put the requirement on hold, preparing students for the tests never stopped.
While the state pumped the brakes on SAT and ACT testing, Richmond County pressed the gas.
“We’ve always offered opportunities to help our students kind of hone in on those skills. We have prep classes at every high school, in addition to other resources that kids can engage in, just to kind of go ahead and maximize their potential on that SAT or ACT,” said Charlie Tudor, advanced studies program administrator for Richmond County schools.
Tudor says they start prepping students in eighth grade.
“All of our eighth graders take the PSAT in October of their eighth-grade year. We look at that data and go ahead and encourage our kids. Some of them are ready to take an AP class in ninth grade, we look at that AP potential there,” said Tudor.
Every year after, the curriculum is woven into their class schedule.
“Those skills and that knowledge are built into the curriculum already. A lot of our schools have SAT and ACT plans in there. There are also Saturday study sessions for certain targeted kids that need that extra support,” said Tudor.
Tudor says they never want cost to get in the way of academics.
“College Board and ACT, ‘ve always provided fee waivers based on your income. Here in Richmond County, if we know there’s a need for one of our students at the school level, we always make sure things happen to make sure there are no barriers or challenges as far as finances go with kids,” said Tudor.
Columbia County says they have been doing things just the same as before the pandemic as well.
All the requirements for ACT and SAT testing are set to start in the fall of 2026.
If you want to sign your child up for extra study classes, leaders say the best way is to contact the school counselor.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.
12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.
Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.
“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.
The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.
Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.
Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.
“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.
The festival runs until 10 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Dream Center is seeing more families turn to its food pantry this summer as children lose access to school lunches.
Organizations like the Augusta Dream Center see a surge in families who relied on school lunches during the academic year, according to Hallie Kohan, assistant director.
“We see a lot more families that have young kids who are in need that simply don’t have those meals they are normally getting,” Kohan said. “We see an influx of families that come through.”
Demand is up, but the food supply is not keeping pace.
“Right now we are having some food distribution issues so while we are seeing an increase in families, we are seeing a decrease in the amount of food coming through our doors,” Kohan said.
The center is asking the community to host food drives or donate kid-friendly items such as mac and cheese and oatmeal.
Every Sunday the Dream Center opens its doors for a hot meal, serving as many as 120 people.
“Families can come in and get their hot meal. They sit down, it’s dignified, it’s a diner,” Kohan said. “It’s a welcoming experience for kids to come in and not feel like they are in need.”
No paperwork is required to receive help.
“Just because you think someone is in a great situation, in today’s economy you never know,” Kohan said. “It could be your neighbor, mom, or best friend.”
The Augusta Dream Center food pantry is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. Hot meals are served Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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