District -

Showing up makes a difference!

In honor of September being Attendance Awareness month, we're going to be sharing interesting facts regarding school attendance. Consistent attendance during the early years gives students more opportunities to build the skills they need to succeed in the classroom.

Today's attendance check is on reading proficiency. Did you know that about 64% of students with consistent attendance in kindergarten and first grade read at grade level by the end of third grade.

Being present matters from the very beginning. Make sure to check back on our socials throughout this month for more fun attendance facts!

Investing in Our Students. Supporting Our Schools. Building Possibilities.

We are incredibly grateful to SRP Federal Credit Union for investing in the future of our elementary students and educators through its new Investing in Education: Unlimited Possibilities initiative.

At the kickoff event held at the WOW! Club at, SRP Park in North Augusta, SRP Federal Credit Union announced that 83 schools across 10 CSRA counties will each receive $2,500 representing a remarkable $207,500 total investment in local elementary education.

This generous support gives our principals the flexibility to respond to the unique needs of their schools — whether that means providing instructional resources, creating hands-on learning experiences, supporting teachers, or offering enriching opportunities for students.

“This investment empowers our principals to respond directly to the unique needs of their schools and create meaningful opportunities through instructional resources, hands-on learning, and enrichment experiences," Dr. Charlene Heard, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools said.

Partnerships like this remind us what is possible when our schools and community come together with a shared commitment to student success. We are proud to have SRP Federal Credit Union investing alongside us and helping create unlimited possibilities for our students!

To read more on this story, please visit www.acpsd.net/invest-education

Fall Intersession is almost here!

Our students will have opportunities to learn, explore, create and have fun during Intersession! Explore the Fine Arts opportunities below. More Intersession opportunities are coming soon!

Aiken High School: Dance (3rd-5th grade) - 8am-1pm.
Students will be immersed in creativity, rhythm, and movement while learning dance techniques and choreography. They will explore the dance creation process, build confidence in their performance skills, and develop coordination and teamwork. The dance intersession encourages students to learn new moves, work together, and express themselves through exciting and creative performances.

Highland Springs Middle: Lego Wars (6th-9th grade) - 8:30am-3pm
Students will be immersed in creativity, the Engineering Design Process, and project design while developing architectural skills to build a strong Lego structure. This year, there is a new challenge in Lego Wars that students must solve, pushing them to think more creatively, work as a team, and apply their engineering skills in exciting new ways.

Midland Valley High: Pottery (8th-12th grade) - 8:30am-3pm
Students will explore their creativity through hands-on practice while working directly with clay. Throughout the session, students will learn the different techniques needed to shape, mold, and finish their own unique ceramic pieces.

Please note the times and grade levels per group. Only students that attend a school in the Aiken County School District may attend.

Breakfast and lunch will be served daily. Students may bring their own.

TRANSPORTATION: Transportation will not be provided.

To apply, scan the QR Code located on the flyer or visit: Fall Intersession-Fine Arts- Fill Out Form
The form will open on August 31st. Seats are limited.

Please email Dr. Kimberly Fontanez with questions. (kfontanez@acpsd.net)

#FallIntersession #ACPSD #FineArts

We're officially kicking off our United Way campaign!

We attended a campaign kickoff lunch last week and were grateful to connect with the organizations doing wonderful work right here in our community everyday. The halftime show was made special by an energetic performance by East Aiken School of the Arts students.

Please keep an eye on your school's social media for information on how to give and donate throughout our campaign.

We're looking forward to a great campaign and to seeing how our ACPSD family can come together to support our community!

On Tuesday Sept. 1, Aiken County Public Schools officially broke ground on much awaited renovations to South Aiken High School. These additions were made possible with the 2024 One Percent Penny Sales Tax and will include campus expansions, new building spaces, and updates to athletic facilities.

South Aiken's groundbreaking wouldn't be possible without the valuable community input and collaboration with HG Reynolds, CFS Architects, as well as South Aiken and District leadership teams. These long-awaited improvements will provide South Aiken students with modern and updated spaces to learn, grown, and thrive for years to come.

Thank you to the South Aiken Student Council, Drumline, Cheerleading Squads and Chorus, as well as alumni and students who came to celebrate this milestone moment! The 'All Means All' Thoroughbred mentality from the community was on display during the groundbreaking ceremony.

AREA FIVE MASTER PLAN COMMUNITY INPUT MEETINGS
Aiken County Public Schools is seeking input on a possible master facilities plan for Area Five.

The plan could include constructing a middle school addition on the campus of the new Silver Bluff High School to serve students currently attending Jackson and New Ellenton middle schools. The District is also considering renovating and repurposing New Ellenton Middle School as an elementary school for students currently attending Greendale Elementary. School Board members previewed this plan during their August 25 meeting.

Community members are invited to attend one of two upcoming meetings to learn more and share their feedback:

Thursday, September 10, at 6 p.m.
New Ellenton Middle School Cafeteria

Tuesday, September 15, at 6 p.m.
Jackson Middle School Cafeteria

NEED A PICK-ME-UP? 7 BREW HAS OUR TEACHERS COVERED!

Teachers across Aiken County Public Schools are receiving a 7 Brew gift card courtesy of Bryan Adams, Graniteville Fire Department President and owner of Toner Tech Plus, and our local 7 Brew.

On August 27, the Adams family visited Graniteville Elementary, Byrd Elementary and Leavelle McCampbell Middle to celebrate the generous donation. Area Three Advisory Council Member Roger Boyd helped coordinate the effort, with support from Board Member Brian Silas.

While this effort began with community partners in Area Three, its impact extends districtwide, with teachers at every school receiving a gift card!

Thank you to the Adams family, 7 Brew and our valued community partners for supporting our teachers and investing in the people who make a difference in the lives of students each day!

September is Attendance Awareness Month!

When students are in school consistently, they have more opportunities to learn, build relationships, participate, and stay on track.

Let’s make every school day count! Families, students, teachers, and our entire community all play a role in supporting strong attendance. Small steps each day can lead to big achievements.

Because every day in school is another step toward success!

AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, SEPTEMBER 1 SPECIALLY CALLED BOARD MEETING
The Board of Education will hold a Specially called meeting on Tuesday, September 1, 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.

Help us congratulate Mrs. Kari Keck, a first grade teacher at Aiken Elementary, on being named a Golden Apple Award Teacher by WJBF News Channel 6.

She was one of five Aiken County teachers surprised by WJBF News Channel 6 and sponsor Kroger on Friday, August 14 in her classroom as a recipient of the Golden Apple Award. Her segment will air on Tuesday, September 1 during the 5:30 PM broadcast.

Mrs. Keck utilizes technology in the classroom to create a strong foundation for reading, writing and math, and to help prepare her students for a strong future in the classroom and beyond.

“It's amazing to see how much they grow from coming in, not knowing exactly what they need to be doing, to the end of the year, they're reading, they're writing, they're doing math, they know the things they need to know,” Mrs. Keck shared.

“What makes Mrs. Keck so extraordinary is her ability to combine rigorous, personalized learning with pure warmth,” Aiken Elementary Principal Kristie Brooks shared. “She creates a space where curiosity thrives, and every student leaves her classroom feeling valued, confident, and deeply cared for. We are grateful to have Mrs. Keck at Aiken Elementary.”

“I want them to have a love of learning,” Mrs. Keck shared. “I want to be there to get everybody excited about learning and about growing and that school is fun.”

#ACPSDCelebrates #ACPSD #AikenCountyPublicSchools

As the world remembers Dolly Parton, we are honored to reflect on a special connection to Aiken County Public Schools: In 1974, she performed at North Augusta High School.

A recently shared photo of the concert program preserves this remarkable moment in our community’s history.

Dolly’s extraordinary legacy extended far beyond the stage. Through her Imagination Library, she helped place free books in the hands of children from birth to age five, inspiring a love of reading among generations of young learners here in Aiken County and around the world.

We join countless others in honoring Dolly Parton’s remarkable life and enduring legacy of music, generosity and love for children.

Were you at her 1974 North Augusta High School performance? Please share your memories or photos by email to communications@acpsd.net.

Aiken County Public School District (ACPSD) students demonstrated year-over-year progress on the recently released SC READY and End-of-Course Examination Program (EOCEP) assessments. Elementary and middle school performance improved across all three tested subject areas: English language arts, mathematics and science. The District’s Algebra 1 passing rate also significantly outpaced the state.

“These results reflect the focused work of our students, teachers, school leaders and instructional support teams,” Superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy said. “We recognize that important work remains, but sustained progress begins with consistent growth. We will build on these gains, address the areas where improvement is still needed and continue working toward high levels of achievement for every student.”

Read the full article on the Aiken County Public Schools website.

AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, AUGUST 25 BOARD MEETING
The Board of Education will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 25, 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.

Help us congratulate Mrs. Kristy Ghrist, a CTE Health Science teacher at Aiken High School, on being named a Golden Apple Award Teacher by WJBF News Channel 6.

She was one of five ACPSD teachers surprised in their classrooms by WJBF News Channel 6 and sponsor Kroger on Friday, August 14. Her segment will air on August 25 during the 5:30 PM broadcast.

“It’s very rewarding to see where they start with the Health Science program as freshmen and sophomores and how they have to figure things out and watch them do the things that they didn’t think they could do,” Ghrist shared.

Ghrist, a nurse by trade, helped create the Health Science program at Aiken High School. In her program, students can earn certifications as a Patient Care Technician (PCT) and Phlebotomy, alongside CPR and First Aid Training.

“Ms. Kristy Ghrist is more than an outstanding AHS Health Science teacher—she is a mentor, encourager, and champion for her students.” Aiken High School Principal Angela Moore shared. “Through her dedication, compassion, and commitment to creating meaningful, real-world learning experiences, she helps students discover their potential and prepares them for futures in healthcare and beyond. The time and heart she invests in her students make a lasting difference, and AHS is incredibly fortunate to have an educator who gives so much to help every student succeed.”

#ACPSDCelebrates #ACPSD #AikenCountyPublicSchools

Aiken Scholars Academy stays at the top of the leaderboard!

We want to congratulate the students and faculty of Aiken Scholars Academy for being named the No. 1 High School in South Carolina by U.S. News and World Report for the second consecutive year in a row!

“Being named South Carolina’s top high school once is remarkable. Earning that distinction for a second consecutive year shows this is more than a moment.” Superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy shared. “It reflects a culture built on intellectual curiosity, uncommon determination, and educators who know how to challenge and support exceptionally driven students. We are tremendously proud of the Aiken Scholars Academy students, faculty, and families, as well as our partnership with USCA, for continuing to show what is possible when a community pursues excellence together.”

Aiken Scholars Academy also ranked No. 1 in the Augusta-Aiken metro area and No. 14 nationally based on scorecard criteria.

“Year after year, I continue to be amazed by the accomplishments of ASA,” Principal Martha Messick added. “I am extremely proud of our students and their academic accomplishments that earned us top rankings again this year! Thank you to our students, parents, and teachers for your continuous focus, dedication, and hard work; as, that is what leads us to perform at such high levels!”

#ACPSDCelebrates #AikenCountyPublicSchools #ACPSD

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