Macedonia Middle School's Don Walton Named 2026 Principal of Excellence
The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE), in partnership with Dominion Energy and South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce, announced Macedonia Middle School’s Don Walton as the recipient of the 2026 Principal of Excellence Award.
This prestigious award recognizes principals who demonstrate exemplary leadership in advancing student achievement, strengthening school culture, and leading meaningful, sustained school improvement.
Principal of Excellence Award:
First awarded in 2024, the Principal of Excellence Award is designed to recognize principals who demonstrate visionary leadership, foster supportive learning environments, and drive continuous academic improvement. This year’s Principal of Excellence Award comes with $25,000, underscoring the critical role principals play in shaping student outcomes and school success.
About Principal Walton:
Principal Walton has dedicated more than three decades as an educator, spending the past 12 as leader of Macedonia Middle. Under Walton's guidance, MMS's overall report card rating increased from Good to Excellent in 2026, an 11-point overall gain. The school's student progress metric increased over seven percent. Additionally, reading achievement saw a five percentage increase and math has increased significantly at over a 29 percent gain in the past two years.
Walton has implemented a clear assessment strategy, a coherent curriculum strategy, and regular classroom observations that keep learning in view. Teachers know what students are expected to learn, how that learning will be measured, and how they will be supported to improve. Walton's discipline is evident -- he decides what matters most, and stays focused on it. Staff see a leader who models the continuous improvement he asks of everyone else.
A positive school culture is defined through clear expectations by Walton and his administrative team. He consistently follows through with his observations and feedback process. Teachers experience this as a support and partnership, not compliance. This professional growth is a normal and expected part of the work. Because assessment and curriculum systems are shared, staff speak a common language about learning and work toward common goals.
High expectations and strong relationships go together at MMS. That balance starts with Walton's leadership. He is visible and present, and he celebrates progress as well as results. Because of this, Walton's staff feels valued, students feel a part of something purposeful, and MMS is a place where high expectations and strong relationships go together.
What They’re Saying:
“When you look at schools where students are achieving at high levels, there's almost always a great principal at the center of that success. That's certainly what we see in Mr. Walton. South Carolina is home to so many outstanding principals, which makes this recognition especially meaningful. Mr. Walton has maintained a relentless focus on students and worked alongside his team to build a culture where excellence isn't just encouraged, it's expected. That commitment is reflected in both student achievement and the continued success of the school. But data only tells part of the story. The rest is found in the way he leads. Mr. Walton cares deeply about his students, believes in his teachers, and leads with humility and servant-hearted dedication. He understands that success comes from helping others grow, and that approach has made a lasting impact on the entire Macedonia Middle School community."
--State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver
“Strong schools build strong communities, and exceptional principals help ensure that every student has the chance to reach their full potential. Principal Walton’s unwavering dedication to removing barriers and creating a strong school culture centered on continuous improvement for all students exemplifies the leadership that makes a lasting difference. We are proud to support schools and celebrate leaders like Principal Walton who go above and beyond to ensure every child has access to the resources, encouragement, and opportunities needed for success."
--SC Manufacturers and Commerce VP of Commerce Councils & Philanthropy, Cynthia Bennett
“Exceptional school leadership is about more than academic achievement. It’s about inspiring students and creating opportunities that empower every child to reach their full potential. For more than three decades, Principal Walton has exemplified that kind of leadership through his steadfast commitment to student success and continuous improvement. Dominion Energy is proud to honor Mr. Don Walton’s contributions to education and the impact his leadership is making in the lives of the students and families of Macedonia Middle School.”
--Dominion Energy South Carolina President Keller Kissam
“Great leaders recognize that continuous improvement begins with themselves. Over the past four years, Principal Walton has embraced a transformational approach to leadership and instruction, demonstrating an extraordinary willingness to learn, grow and challenge traditional practices in pursuit of better outcomes for students. Rather than becoming comfortable with years of experience, he approached this work with the enthusiasm of someone just beginning his career. His commitment to personal and professional growth has set an example for other school leaders and helped transform what is possible for his students, staff, and school community. Earning an Excellent rating on the South Carolina School Report Card is a testament to that leadership and the collective work of his school community. This recognition is incredibly well deserved.”
--Berkeley County School District Superintendent Dr. Anthony Dixon
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