Talented and Gifted Academy celebrates first anniversary with major literacy partnership and statewide book launch

In just one year, Talented and Gifted Academy (TAG Academy) has gone from vision to vibrant reality—reshaping early childhood education in the Midlands through a bold focus on literacy, individualized learning, and child development.

Now, as TAG Academy celebrates its first anniversary, the school is marking the milestone with a powerful next step: an official partnership with South Carolina-based Lucky Rabbit Literacy and a first-of-its-kind opportunity to pilot a brand-new children’s workbook designed to transform how young learners develop critical foundational skills.

Selected by children’s author Rachel Gitzen, TAG Academy has been chosen to pilot Hands-On ABCs, an innovative early learning book that blends fine motor skill development, handwriting practice, and alphabet mastery into one engaging experience for young children.

“This is exactly the kind of opportunity we envisioned when we created TAG,” said founder Merrell Johnson. “We set out to build something different—something intentional. To now be recognized and trusted to pilot a resource like Hands-On ABCs speaks volumes about the work happening inside our classrooms every day.”

In its first year, TAG Academy has already seen meaningful outcomes, with students demonstrating significant gains in both developmental and literacy skills—reinforcing the academy’s commitment to early intervention and strong academic foundations.

“From the very beginning, we were looking for a school that truly understood how children learn through movement, exploration, and intentional practice,” said Gitzen. “TAG Academy stood out immediately. Their commitment to literacy and development made them the perfect partner to pilot Hands-On ABCs, and we’re excited to see the impact this will have not just in their classrooms, but beyond.”

The partnership with Lucky Rabbit Literacy deepens that mission, placing TAG students at the forefront of innovative early education practices while connecting classroom learning with high-quality, locally rooted educational resources.

To celebrate both its one-year anniversary and this exciting collaboration, TAG Academy will co-host a special community event and official book launch on April 30th alongside Lucky Rabbit Literacy. The event will bring together families, educators, and community members to recognize the academy’s impact and introduce Hands-On ABCs to a broader audience.

“This isn’t just a celebration of TAG,” Johnson added. “It’s a celebration of what’s possible when we invest early in our children, partner intentionally, and stay committed to excellence.”

As TAG Academy looks ahead to year two, the focus remains clear: continue raising the bar in early childhood education, expanding access to high-quality learning experiences, and building a generation of confident, capable young learners.