The NSA generously donated school supplies to help ensure children in our district have the essential tools they need to go through the school year prepared and ready to learn.
Thank you to the NSA for investing in our students and making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families in our community!
The countdown to this year's STARS of Public Education has officially begun!
Our incredible educators, staff, and community members go above and beyond every day to make a difference in the lives of our students, and we're excited to share a special look at the event that celebrates them.
Watch the video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/9p019WKU-Tw .
District and School leadership have begun their search for this year's honorees through a comprehensive nomination process. This year's stars are out there, and we cannot wait to recognize them!
#ACPSD #StarsOfPublicEducation #ACPSDCelebrates #PublicEducation
Aiken County Public School District (ACPSD) has been named to Forbes’ America’s Best Employers By State 2026 list, marking the District’s second consecutive year and fourth overall appearance on the prestigious list.
ACPSD ranked #22 among 55 employers recognized in South Carolina, placing the District within the top 40 percent of recognized employers statewide. Among the five education institutions included on South Carolina’s list, Aiken County Public Schools ranked #3.
“We are incredibly proud to once again be recognized among the top employers in South Carolina and among the leading education employers in our state,” Superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy shared. “Our employees are at the heart of everything we accomplish as a school district. Their commitment to our students, their colleagues, and the communities we serve makes Aiken County Public Schools a special place to learn and work. This recognition belongs to the more than 3,000 employees who show up each day committed to providing excellence for every student.”
The 2026 recognition marks ACPSD’s fourth appearance on the Forbes list, following previous recognitions in 2021, 2023, and 2025. The District’s inclusion in both 2025 and 2026 also marks its second consecutive year among Forbes’ Best Employers By State.
Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to develop the 2026 list through an independent survey of more than 245,000 U.S. employees working for organizations employing at least 500 people in the United States. More than two million employer evaluations were considered.
Survey participants were asked how likely they were to recommend their employer and evaluated workplaces based on criteria including wages, work culture, opportunities for professional advancement, and how employers respond to serious workplace issues. Participants also had the opportunity to evaluate previous employers and organizations they knew through their industry, friends, or family.
Responses were incorporated into a scoring system along with survey data from the previous three years, with greater weight given to more recent data and responses from current employees within each state. Organizations receiving the highest scores in each state were included on the final lists.
ACPSD’s #22 statewide ranking, top-40-percent placement, and #3 ranking among recognized education institutions in South Carolina highlight the District’s strong standing among employers across the state.
The complete Forbes America’s Best Employers By State 2026 list and additional information about the methodology are available through Forbes.
Mark your calendars!
Wednesday, August 19th will be the first early dismissal day of the 2026–27 school year!
Students will be dismissed early while our teachers and staff use the afternoon for professional development, collaboration, and additional training to support student success.
Get a glimpse into what professional development looks like for our staff here at Aiken County by watching the video on YouTube at:https://youtu.be/RJ6SEXp8wUk .
🎓 CSRA COLLEGE NIGHT 🎓
Are you a high school student or parent of a high school student who is interested in exploring college, military, and career opportunities? Don’t miss CSRA College Night on Thursday, September 3 at the Augusta Convention Center from 5pm-8pm.
What You’ll Find:
• Representatives from colleges and universities across the U.S.
• Military career information
• Career exploration resources
• Professional and technical organizations
• SRS Apprenticeship information
• Scholarship drawing for high school seniors
Free Seminars Include:
• Financial Aid
• College Application Essay Writing
• Resume Writing
• Financial Literacy
• SRS Apprenticeships
NEW THIS YEAR!
Some colleges will offer FREE APPLICATIONS or on-site acceptance for qualified students!
🎯 How to Prepare
✅ Register for Strive Scan to share your information with colleges and receive college updates.
✅ High School Seniors-Bring copies of your high school transcript to help you make the most of conversations with college representatives.
✅ Visit the CSRA College Night website for complete event details, including parking information, participating colleges, career resources, and more:
CSRA College Night Website
Join us for the ACCTC Alumni Reunion—a special evening to reconnect with former classmates, relive treasured memories, and visit the Career Center one last time before we begin an exciting new chapter.
Thursday, September 24, 2026
5:00–7:00 p.m.
Aiken County Career and Technology Center
2455 Jefferson Davis Highway
Warrenville, SC 29851
All former ACCTC graduates or staff are invited! Enjoy food trucks, fellowship, memories, and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate where we’ve been and where we’re going.
Register now and help us spread the word by sharing this post with other ACCTC alumni!
#ACPSD #ACCTC #AikenCountyCareer&TechnologyCenter
AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, AUGUST 11 BOARD MEETING
The Board of Education will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 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.
It was a party at North Augusta Elementary on Friday!
Our media partners at Beasley Media Group and The Party 98.3 Radio Station surprised Mrs. Benson’s 5th Grade class with the Cash in the Class’s prize award, which has a $1,000 value! The Pumping Station also provided a gift basket of treats and flowers for Mrs. Benson and her students.
We were thrilled to have local partners come into our schools and support our teachers and students in Aiken County!
Over the course of this year, we have had the privilege of following Dr. Christie Palladino, biomedical science teacher at the Aiken County Career and Technology Center (ACCTC), on her incredible journey from being named District Teacher of the Year, to becoming a state finalist, and then earning the title of South Carolina Teacher of the Year.
Communications is excited to share a video highlighting her journey from the initial surprise in her classroom to the exciting celebration at the Governor's Mansion. You can watch this video on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/KqnBXSjB0z8
Join us in celebrating this well-deserved achievement. Congratulations Dr. Christie Palladino!
We are excited to share that Dr. Christie Palladino, biomedical science teacher at Aiken County Career and Technology Center and the 2027-2028 South Carolina State Teacher of the Year, as a part of the Core Program Class of 2027 for Leadership South Carolina.
Leadership South Carolina is the state’s premier leadership development program, bringing leaders together to explore opportunities and challenges shaping South Carolina’s future. The eight-month program brings distinguished business, government, nonprofit, healthcare, education and community leaders together with immersive sessions across the state.
“Dr. Christie Palladino represents the very best of public education and the extraordinary impact a dedicated teacher can have on students, a school, and an entire community,” Aiken County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy shared. “Her ability to connect students with meaningful opportunities in biomedical science and help them see possibilities for their futures has strengthened career and technical education across Aiken County. As South Carolina’s Teacher of the Year, Dr. Palladino continues to make us incredibly proud, and her selection for Leadership South Carolina’s Core Program Class of 2027 is another well-deserved recognition of her leadership and commitment to others. We are fortunate to have her representing Aiken County Public Schools and educators across our state.”
Feature Friday | Employee of the Month – July 2026
Congratulations to Rodrequez Dunbar, SCHS Job Coach at Wagener Salley High School!
Mr. Dunbar makes a lasting impact on students both in and beyond the classroom. With patience, compassion, and a genuine commitment to student success, he builds strong relationships and ensures students feel valued and supported. As a football, basketball, and track coach, he also serves as a positive role model, encouraging discipline, accountability, and confidence in his athletes.
Dependable, hardworking, and always willing to step in where needed, Mr. Dunbar demonstrates an outstanding commitment to his students and school community. Thank you, Mr. Dunbar, for all you do to support, encourage, and inspire our students!
Sweet treats and even sweeter support!
Wednesday, August the 5th, we welcomed our first-year teachers to the Induction Academy kick-off ice cream social at the District Office. New teachers from across the district had the opportunity to socialize and meet industry leaders in Aiken County to help ease their transition to the CSRA and the classroom.
Local partnerships with the Aiken Chamber of Commerce, SRP Federal Credit Union and Battelle Savannah River Alliance helped make this experience unforgettable. Teachers were given cash and swag bags as a thank you gift. Teachers also heard from the 2026-2027 First Year Teacher of the Year, Aleesha Ashe, as well as Superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy, as they provided advice to the new class of first year educators.
The year-round program provides a support system for educators new to the classroom. Specialists were also on-site to help teachers with technology and other issues they may need assistance with.
We cannot wait to see these teachers continue to blossom inside their classrooms and are excited for what they will accomplish in the school year ahead!
Lights, camera... safety!
Our Communications team is proud to share some behind-the-scenes photos for our new video outlining our district's Standard Response Protocol (SRP) procedures.
This project would not have been possible without the support of our acGATEWAY students, Student Advisory Council members, and the many student volunteers who generously gave their time to participate. We also want to thank local law enforcement and emergency responders for their collaboration in making this video. They all played a role in bringing this important resource to life. Your partnership and commitment to the safety of our schools are truly appreciated.
Be sure to check back tomorrow, we will be sharing the finished video!
Before the school year officially began, we had the opportunity to welcome the newest members of the ACPSD family during IGNITE, our annual new teacher orientation.
Take a look back at some of the highlights as our newest educators connected with district leaders, met fellow colleagues, and began preparing for the year ahead. Watch the full highlight on YouTube!
To all of our new teachers joining Aiken County Public School District this year, we’re excited to have you with us and wish you a successful and rewarding first year. Welcome to ACPSD!
The Aiken County Public School District (ACPSD) is pleased to announce the appointment of Crystal Hadden as Principal of Highland Springs Middle School.
Hadden brings nearly 20 years of experience in education and a collaborative leadership style focused on student success, continuous growth, and strong school partnerships.
She began her career as an English teacher, serving students in Aiken County Public Schools and Lexington County School District One before moving into school administration. Most recently, Hadden served as Assistant Principal at Douglas Elementary School in Edgefield County School District. She previously served as Assistant Principal at Strom Thurmond High School from 2018 to 2025 and as Interim Assistant Principal at South Aiken High School in 2018.
"Returning to Aiken County, the community where I was once a student myself and where my family now makes our home, makes this opportunity profoundly special," Hadden said. "As a product of Aiken County schools, the wife of an Aiken County educator, and the parent of a current Highland Springs Riverhawk with two future Riverhawks close behind, my connection to this school and community is deeply rooted."
Hadden assumes her new role Monday, Aug. 3 and looks forward to partnering with students, families, staff, and the Highland Springs community.
AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, JULY 28 BOARD MEETING
The Board of Education will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 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.
The first week of the 2026-27 school year is in the books! From smiling faces and new beginnings, take a look back at the excitement, energy, and memorable moments that kicked off another great year!
#WelcomeBackACPSD #FirstWeek
Congrats to our Summer Graduates!
Over the summer, several students across Aiken County Public Schools completed all their requirements to earn a diploma from their high schools. These students, who received their accredited SC diploma from Superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy, participated in a ceremony at Aiken High School on Tuesday, July 21st.
Their journey to this milestone reflects determination, resilience, and hard work. We are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished and look forward to seeing the impact they will make in the years ahead. Please join us in congratulating our Summer 2026 graduates!
#ACPSDCelebrates #ACPSD2026Grads #AikenCountyPublicSchools #2026Graduation
Today marked the first official day of the 2026-2027 school year, and we're already off to a great start! More than 22,000 new and returning students came back to classrooms and are ready for new memories and opportunities that await them.
These students will be supported by more than 1,500 teachers and 120 administrators who are committed to helping every child learn, grow, and succeed. To celebrate the start of the new year, Superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy, along with several other district leaders, visited schools throughout the district, connecting with students, teachers, and staff. Their visits highlighted the enthusiasm, commitment, and positive momentum already taking shape as schools begin another year of learning and growth.
Thank you to our teachers, administrators, support staff, and families for making such a memorable first day of school. We can't wait to see all that our students accomplish this year.
Here's to a fantastic school year, we're glad you're back!
#WelcomeBackACPSD #BackToSchool
ACPSD Families:
We hope you’ve enjoyed summer break and are looking forward to the start of the school year!
As you prepare for the first day of school tomorrow, please note the following:
Chef-created, healthy breakfasts and lunches are available for students in our cafeterias each school day. Student meals are offered at no cost to families through our participation in the USDA's Community Eligibility Provision. We invite you to skip lunch prep and try eating at school instead.
Be sure to download the Aiken County Public Schools SC app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Our district uses this app for school information, announcements, and two-way communication with families.
We also encourage families to review the Student Code of Conduct before the first day of school.
South Carolina law prohibits student cell phone use during the school day. Elementary students should not bring cell phones to school. Middle and high school students must keep their phones turned off and put away throughout the entire school day.
If you have not yet registered your student, please do so immediately. Students who are not registered cannot be assigned to a teacher or class schedule. Visit www.acpsd.net/register to complete the registration process.
Finally, during the first few days of school, please allow extra time for morning drop-off and afternoon pickup. Car lines may take longer than usual as students and families become familiar with school routines. We appreciate your patience, ask that you use extra caution, and follow the directions of school staff to help keep everyone safe.
Thank you for choosing Aiken County Public Schools. We look forward to a wonderful school year and will see everyone in the morning!