
Wednesday, August 20, 2025, is a scheduled Early Dismissal Day for students.
On Early Dismissal Days, elementary school students are dismissed at 11:30 a.m., middle school students at 12:10 p.m., and high school students at 12:30 p.m.
Early dismissal times are slightly different for Aiken Scholars Academy (ASA), as well as our schools in the Ridge Spring area. ASA early dismissal will be at noon, Ridge Spring-Monetta (RSM) Elementary is at 11:55 a.m., RSM Middle at 12:15 p.m. and RSM High at 12:20 p .m. The ASPIRE Evening Program will not be held tomorrow.
These Early Dismissal Days are part of the 2025-26 Aiken County Public School District Calendar and are necessary to support state-wide required teacher training. Please make any necessary arrangements for your child's early dismissal. Elementary school student after school care through Quest Zone is available.
On Early Dismissal Days, elementary school students are dismissed at 11:30 a.m., middle school students at 12:10 p.m., and high school students at 12:30 p.m.
Early dismissal times are slightly different for Aiken Scholars Academy (ASA), as well as our schools in the Ridge Spring area. ASA early dismissal will be at noon, Ridge Spring-Monetta (RSM) Elementary is at 11:55 a.m., RSM Middle at 12:15 p.m. and RSM High at 12:20 p .m. The ASPIRE Evening Program will not be held tomorrow.
These Early Dismissal Days are part of the 2025-26 Aiken County Public School District Calendar and are necessary to support state-wide required teacher training. Please make any necessary arrangements for your child's early dismissal. Elementary school student after school care through Quest Zone is available.


🎓 Curious about online learning for your 6th-12th grader? Join our FREE info session!
📅 August 25th at 12:00 PM (perfect for lunch break!)
💻 Link available on our website homepage
🌟 See what Aiken iNNOVATE is all about
Applications open NOW at www.acpsd.net/ai
Questions? Email us!
#AikenInnovate #VirtualLearning #ACPSD #OnlineSchool


SHINE | Halfway to Greatness!
Guess what? This Wednesday marks the halfway point of the first nine weeks—our interim mark!
A huge shoutout to our incredible employees whose hard work, dedication, and passion make every day count for our students. You’re the heartbeat of ACPSD, and because of you, our students are getting the BEST education possible!
Here’s to finishing the first nine weeks strong!
If you know a staff member who deserves special recognition, give them a shout-out! www.acpsd.net/shine
#SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates
Guess what? This Wednesday marks the halfway point of the first nine weeks—our interim mark!
A huge shoutout to our incredible employees whose hard work, dedication, and passion make every day count for our students. You’re the heartbeat of ACPSD, and because of you, our students are getting the BEST education possible!
Here’s to finishing the first nine weeks strong!
If you know a staff member who deserves special recognition, give them a shout-out! www.acpsd.net/shine
#SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates










Aiken County Public School District, August 12 BOARD MEETING - The Board of Education will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Please visit https://www.acpsd.net/page/board-meeting-livestream to view the meeting agenda and access the livestream when the meeting begins. Board Meetings are open to the public, although seating is limited. Our School Board Representatives may be contacted for any questions from our community stakeholders. Their contact information is available from that link as well.

SHINE | Celebrating Our Team
Gray skies and rain can’t dull our shine—or our appreciation for the incredible employees who brighten our schools every day!
Thank you for bringing your dedication, heart, and light no matter the forecast.
If you know a staff member who deserves special recognition, give them a shout-out! www.acpsd.net/shine
#SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates
Gray skies and rain can’t dull our shine—or our appreciation for the incredible employees who brighten our schools every day!
Thank you for bringing your dedication, heart, and light no matter the forecast.
If you know a staff member who deserves special recognition, give them a shout-out! www.acpsd.net/shine
#SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates










SHINE Spotlight
What. A. Week! The first week of school is officially in the books, and our amazing employees didn’t miss a beat! From warm welcomes and smooth routines to big smiles and even bigger hearts, the energy across our schools has been electric!
Whether you helped a kindergartner find their classroom, kept buses rolling, served up delicious meals, or brought the joy into every lesson—YOU made this week unforgettable. Here's to a year full of moments that matter! Let’s keep the momentum going!
If you know a staff member who deserves special recognition, give them a shout-out! www.acpsd.net/shine
#SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates
What. A. Week! The first week of school is officially in the books, and our amazing employees didn’t miss a beat! From warm welcomes and smooth routines to big smiles and even bigger hearts, the energy across our schools has been electric!
Whether you helped a kindergartner find their classroom, kept buses rolling, served up delicious meals, or brought the joy into every lesson—YOU made this week unforgettable. Here's to a year full of moments that matter! Let’s keep the momentum going!
If you know a staff member who deserves special recognition, give them a shout-out! www.acpsd.net/shine
#SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates










SHINE | Hero Heat Wave
With a heat index hotter than the school lunch pizza in August; our employees are still SHINING bright!
No amount of humidity can dim the dedication of Team ACPSD. From classrooms to custodial closets, buses to breakrooms, every role keeps our students cool, calm, and learning!
Thanks for sweating it out (literally) and making another amazing week happen. Stay hydrated, stay awesome, and keep on shining!
If you know a staff member who deserves special recognition, give them a shout-out! www.acpsd.net/shine
#SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates
With a heat index hotter than the school lunch pizza in August; our employees are still SHINING bright!
No amount of humidity can dim the dedication of Team ACPSD. From classrooms to custodial closets, buses to breakrooms, every role keeps our students cool, calm, and learning!
Thanks for sweating it out (literally) and making another amazing week happen. Stay hydrated, stay awesome, and keep on shining!
If you know a staff member who deserves special recognition, give them a shout-out! www.acpsd.net/shine
#SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates










Aiken County Public School District, July 29 BOARD MEETING - The Board of Education will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Please visit https://www.acpsd.net/page/board-meeting-livestream to view the meeting agenda and access the livestream when the meeting begins. Board Meetings are open to the public, although seating is limited. Our School Board Representatives may be contacted for any questions from our community stakeholders. Their contact information is available from that link as well.

Celebrating the First Week Back to School
Here’s a glimpse into our first week of the 2025–26 school year, as district leaders visited schools across Aiken County and students and teachers began settling into their routines. We’re excited for the year ahead and all the meaningful learning to come!
#ACPSDcelebrates #BackToSchool











This summer, Aiken County’s most talented young artists immersed themselves in the acGATEWAY experience, which is an intensive, high-level arts program designed to challenge and inspire! From vibrant visual art displays to moving theatrical performances, students demonstrated what passion, focus, and creativity can achieve in just a few short weeks! Want to see what makes acGATEWAY so special? Watch our behind-the-scenes student videos and discover why this program has been a beloved part of Aiken County since 1992 and keep an eye out for 2026 acGATEWAY audition information for our summer 2026 opportunity. #acGATEWAY #AikenArts #GiftedAndTalented #ArtsEducation #StudentShowcase #VisualAndPerformingArts #ACPSD https://www.acpsd.net/page/gateway


WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL 2025-26
It’s officially back to school in Aiken County, and excitement filled the district today!
Superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy and district leaders visited schools across the county to personally welcome students, teachers, and staff. With smiling faces, cheerful greetings, and engaging classroom visits, the 2025–26 school year is off to a fantastic start.
Expectations were set, lunch routines practiced, and learning picked up without missing a beat. The future is bright, and we’re ready to make this the best year yet!
#ACPSDcelebrates #FirstDayOfSchool #BackToSchool
It’s officially back to school in Aiken County, and excitement filled the district today!
Superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy and district leaders visited schools across the county to personally welcome students, teachers, and staff. With smiling faces, cheerful greetings, and engaging classroom visits, the 2025–26 school year is off to a fantastic start.
Expectations were set, lunch routines practiced, and learning picked up without missing a beat. The future is bright, and we’re ready to make this the best year yet!
#ACPSDcelebrates #FirstDayOfSchool #BackToSchool











SHINE is Back!
After a summer break, SHINE—our weekly spotlight on outstanding ACPSD employees—is ready to light up your feed again!
We’re kicking off the 2025-2026 school year by celebrating 7 incredible team members who went above and beyond to ensure a smooth start for our students and staff. From behind-the-scenes prep to front-line support, their dedication sets the tone for an amazing year ahead!
Let’s celebrate the brilliance that powers our district—every Sunday, all year long!
If you know a staff member who deserves special recognition, give them a shout-out! www.acpsd.net/shine
After a summer break, SHINE—our weekly spotlight on outstanding ACPSD employees—is ready to light up your feed again!
We’re kicking off the 2025-2026 school year by celebrating 7 incredible team members who went above and beyond to ensure a smooth start for our students and staff. From behind-the-scenes prep to front-line support, their dedication sets the tone for an amazing year ahead!
Let’s celebrate the brilliance that powers our district—every Sunday, all year long!
If you know a staff member who deserves special recognition, give them a shout-out! www.acpsd.net/shine










Stay connected with Aiken County Public Schools anytime, anywhere with the official ACPSD App. With the app, parents can access teacher messages, school and district events, important documents, class information, and real-time notifications all in one place. Scan the QR code on the flyer to download today and stay informed.


Aiken County Public School District, July 15 BOARD MEETING - The Board of Education will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Please visit https://www.acpsd.net/page/board-meeting-livestream to view the meeting agenda and access the livestream when the meeting begins. Board Meetings are open to the public, although seating is limited. Our School Board Representatives may be contacted for any questions from our community stakeholders. Their contact information is available from that link as well.

THANK YOU to The United Way of Aiken County and everyone who came out to "Stuff the Bus" and donate school supplies at yesterday's School Tools drive. Your generosity will help ensure all students have the supplies needed for a successful start to the new school year! For more information on how you can help, visit https://www.uwaiken.org/school-tools


IGNITE 2025 | NEW TO DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENT
On Tuesday morning, Aiken County Public Schools welcomed more than 210 new educators to our district! With the vibrant energy of high school cheerleaders from across ACPSD and the powerful beats of the North Augusta High School Drumline, we kicked off Ignite — our signature orientation event designed to spark success as we prepare to welcome students for the 2025–26 school year.
First-year teachers and veteran educators new to Aiken County had the opportunity to connect with their teams, enjoy breakfast with their principals, and engage in a variety of meaningful professional learning sessions and training designed to support their growth throughout this year and beyond.
An event highlight – the “Fashion Show!” Our school and district leaders brought the style and the standards as they walked the runway during Ignite Orientation to model dress code-appropriate attire for our newest educators! From business casual to classroom-ready, they showed how to dress for success while keeping it professional and approachable. Big thanks to our leadership team for stepping up—and stepping out in style.
A huge thank you to our speakers, session leaders, generous sponsors, and community vendors for helping make this event such a success!
We’re thrilled to welcome these passionate educators to the ACPSD family and can’t wait to see the difference they’ll make in classrooms across the district!
#ACPSDcelebrates #BackToSchool #Ignite25
On Tuesday morning, Aiken County Public Schools welcomed more than 210 new educators to our district! With the vibrant energy of high school cheerleaders from across ACPSD and the powerful beats of the North Augusta High School Drumline, we kicked off Ignite — our signature orientation event designed to spark success as we prepare to welcome students for the 2025–26 school year.
First-year teachers and veteran educators new to Aiken County had the opportunity to connect with their teams, enjoy breakfast with their principals, and engage in a variety of meaningful professional learning sessions and training designed to support their growth throughout this year and beyond.
An event highlight – the “Fashion Show!” Our school and district leaders brought the style and the standards as they walked the runway during Ignite Orientation to model dress code-appropriate attire for our newest educators! From business casual to classroom-ready, they showed how to dress for success while keeping it professional and approachable. Big thanks to our leadership team for stepping up—and stepping out in style.
A huge thank you to our speakers, session leaders, generous sponsors, and community vendors for helping make this event such a success!
We’re thrilled to welcome these passionate educators to the ACPSD family and can’t wait to see the difference they’ll make in classrooms across the district!
#ACPSDcelebrates #BackToSchool #Ignite25











Aiken County Public Schools will be closed Thursday, July 3, and Friday, July 4, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. School district offices will reopen on Monday, July 7.
Wishing you and your family a safe and joyful Fourth of July!
#ACPSDcelebrates #FourthOfJuly #IndependenceDay


Parents and Guardians now is the time to schedule a well-visit or vaccine appointment with your child’s healthcare provider to avoid the back-to-school rush before the 2025-26 school year begins on July 21! The SC Department of Public Health is also offering a vaccine clinic for students in grades 5K–12 on July 8 from 9–11:30 a.m. and 1–3:30 p.m. at the Aiken County Health Department (222 Beaufort Street NE, Aiken). Call (803) 642-7543 to make an appointment and bring vaccination and insurance records; a parent or guardian must accompany children under 16. No-cost vaccines may be available, though administration fees may apply. Don’t forget to submit your child’s updated SC Immunization Certificate to their school and note that all rising 7th graders must have a Tdap booster given at age 10 or older. Contact your child’s healthcare provider or school nurse with any questions and visit acpsd.net/page/nursing-services for more information.


BACK TO SCHOOL BASH
Please join your community at Roy Warner Park in Wagener on Friday, July 19, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This community event will feature a back-to-school giveaway including free backpacks, gift cards, clothing, and more. In addition to these great giveaways, there will be free music, haircuts, hair braiding, a bounce house, and a variety of fun activities for the whole family. Don’t miss this opportunity to get ready for the school year and enjoy a day of community celebration. Please see the flyer for more details.


Join us at the Aiken High School Auditorium for the acGateway Showcases!
-Elementary Showcase: Tonight at 7:00 PM
-Middle/High School Showcase: Thursday at 7:00 PM
Come celebrate our talented students as they present their hard work in visual art, creative writing, theater, music, and dance!
acGATEWAY stands for “Aiken County’s Gifted and Talented Education with Artistic Youth”. The program was established in 1992 and aims to provide visual and performing arts students with an experience beyond what is possible in a regular classroom setting. Small class sizes, individual instruction, access to specialized materials, and highly knowledgeable instructors are only some of the ways students benefit from being part of this collaborative arts community.
The winning t-shirt design was created by rising 11th grade student at Aiken High School, Alexandra Bennett.
