Today, we proudly Purple Up in support of our military-connected students and families.
To our military families, thank you for your service, your strength, and the many sacrifices you make. We are honored to serve your children and celebrate them not just today, but every day.
"Purple up" with Aiken County Public Schools on Friday, April 17th, as we combine Air Force blue, Army green, Navy blue, Marine red, Space Force blue and Coast Guard blue and wear PURPLE in a demonstration of support for the families of those who serve.
Help us honor the month of The Military Family by showing your support for the families of those who serve by wearing purple and thanking a military family for their bravery and service below. Make sure to tag us in your Purple Up posts!
In ACPSD we are committed to supporting every military child and ensuring they feel seen, valued, and connected no matter where their journey takes them. Visit our Purple Star webpages which provide easy access to resources, support services, transition tools, and important information to help every child thrive.
www.acpsd.net/purple-star
#ACPSDCelebrates #PurpleUp #AikenCountyPublicSchools
Is your rising seventh or eighth grade student ready to explore, create, and build this summer?
We are officially accepting applications for the 2026 CTE Summer Academy: Map Out Your Future!
Hosted at the Aiken County Career & Technology Center, this 4-day camp gives rising middle schoolers a chance to get hands-on experience in high-demand careers.
Pick your path! This year's programs include:
Culinary & Fashion Design
Biomedical Science & Health Science
Coding/Robotics & T-Shirt/Logo Creation
Cosmetology, Barbering & Nail Tech
Financial Literacy & Future Leaders Academy
The Quick Facts:
Dates: June 1st – June 4th
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Aiken County Career & Technology Center
Cost: FREE!
Must be a rising 7th or 8th grade (current 6th & 7th grade student) student that is registered to attend a school within the Aiken County Public School District for the 2025-2026 school year.
Don’t Wait! Spots are limited and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend submitting your application as soon as possible to secure your student's top choice!
To Register please complete the 2026 CTE Summer Academy Student Application
Check out the flyer or visit the CTE Camps page to learn more!
AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, APRIL 14 SPECIAL CALLED BOARD MEETING
The Board of Education will hold a special called meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 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.
Spring break is in full swing, and we hope our incredible staff are enjoying some well-deserved time to relax, recharge, and maybe even hit the golf course!
Whether you're soaking up the sunshine, spending time with loved ones, or simply enjoying a slower pace, this time is yours and you’ve earned it.
We’re already looking forward to welcoming everyone back on April 13, 2026, refreshed and ready to finish the year strong together.
Enjoy every moment, you shine bright all year long, and this week is no exception!
We recognize the important role Assistant Principals play in supporting students, staff and operations. Their leadership, support and commitment to student success help create strong school communities where both students and staff can thrive.
Thank you for your continued dedication and service to our school communities.
Give a shoutout to an Assistant Principal who goes above and beyond for your school below!
#ACPSDCelebrates #AssistantPrincipalsWeek #AikenCountyPublicSchools
We thank School Librarians for fostering literacy, guiding research and creating welcoming spaces where students can explore, discover and grow. Their work helps equip students with the skills they need for success both in and beyond the classroom.
Thank you for creating spaces where learning comes to life.
In honor of this day, we invite you to share below a special memory or appreciation of a School Librarian in your life!
#ACPSDCelebrates #SchoolLibrarianAppreciationDay #AikenCountyPublicSchools
What started as a field trip turned into a special surprise!
Dressed in their very best, second-grade students at Aiken Elementary got to put their etiquette to the test with a surprise bistro experience, complete with menus, ordering, and a special dining experience they won't forget. Take a look below to hear directly from those who participated.
“Our teachers came together and had this great idea to teach a unit on etiquette and integrate it with their second-grade standards, through writing,” Principal Kristie Brooks explains. “When they come back from their field trip, their classrooms would be transformed into little bistros and the kids would be able to use the skills that they learned in class in a beautiful setting without having to take them to a restaurant to make it accessible to every kid to have an opportunity to use those skills.”
This is the fourth year of second graders at Aiken Elementary participating in Etiquette Day, an idea that started with Mrs. Janet Dickson and Mrs. Melissa Ferraro and has continued to grow.
“I look at it as a little skill. It may not be a state standard, but it's something that will help them in life,” Mrs. Dickson said. “It helps them learn how to treat people how they would like to be treated. This is an experience that some may never get. I want I want to provide that magic.”
Parents and other volunteers help make the surprise come to life from transforming the classroom to serving as wait staff for lunch.
“Coming together as a group and being able to present this to our children. I believe that once they see this, they're going to be so excited, and amazed because they don't even know that they're coming into this,” parent volunteer Deshauna Marseille said. “They're going to be excited, like, just a smile on their faces is going to make our day even brighter.”
“They are going to know exactly what to do and how to be amazing community members one day. They're going to know exactly what to do,” second grade teacher Mrs. Jennifer Hall said. “They are prepared, and they are ready to go bless other people in the community and know what to do when they go to a restaurant, and how to have good manners, even when they go to a friend's house in the future.”
“Our catchphrase is, we're better together, and this is a beautiful representation of the teachers, the parents coming together to help support and make this happen for our students,” Brooks said. “It’s beautiful.”
Innovation, Art, and Athletics: That’s a Wrap on Spring Intersession!
From the field to the art studio, our students didn't just spend the week learning, they spent it leveling up. The halls of North Augusta Middle were buzzing with the intensity of LEGO Wars and the creativity of Art Enrichment, while Aiken and Redcliffe Elementary became hubs for future engineers at our Coding Camps sponsored by SRNS.
The creativity continued with Fine Arts Coordinator Kimberly Fontanez’s much anticipated Dance Camp held at Aiken High, and High Schoolers across the District mastered the delicate craft of Stained Glass with local artist Stacy O’Sullivan at Midland Valley High School!
The action didn't stop there; our athletic programs were not outshined! Coach Tice and the Aiken High School’s Girl’s Soccer team had an incredible week of skill building on the pitch while Kennedy Middle hosted an unmatched Sports Camp led by Coach Shuford and Coach Edwards. They even welcomed First Tee of Aiken to the camp to get our young athletes "Masters-ready" for next week!
Whether they were building robots or perfecting their swing, our students made every moment of this Spring Intersession count.
Check out this week's highlights on Facebook and YouTube!
We are committed to creating inclusive environments where every student feels seen, supported and valued. This month is dedicated to increasing understanding, promoting acceptance and supporting individuals with autism.
We would like to thank and recognize our dedicated and incredible Specialists, Teachers, and Aides, along with related service providers, who support students with autism across Aiken County everyday. Your hearts, care and dedication have a lasting impact on the lives of our students and families.
#ACPSDCelebrates #AutismAwarenessMonth #AikenCountyPublicSchools
Your generosity does not go unnoticed; we are so grateful for all that you do to help our students and staff succeed. Thank you for being a vital part of our school community!
#ACPSDCelebrates #NationalVolunteerMonth #AikenCountyPublicSchools
This month, we proudly recognize and celebrate the strength, resilience, and sacrifices of our military-connected students. These children serve too, navigating schools, new friendships, and long periods of separation with courage and grace.
In ACPSD we are committed to supporting every military child and ensuring they feel seen. Valued, and connected no matter where their journey takes them.
As part of our commitment, we have launched dedicated webpages designed specifically for military-connected students and their families. These pages provide easy access to resources, support services, transition tools, and important information to help every child thrive.
Explore the pages at www.acpsd.net/purple-star or on your school's webpage under the Our School tab.
We encourage you to join us by participating in the activities and dress up days throughout the month of April as we honor our military children and the important role they play in our community. Please visit our Celebrating Military Families & Children District webpage for details on how to participate.
This month there will also be a Hygiene Drive on from April 14 - April 25. Join our military-friendly Purple Star school district in donating basic personal hygiene items to help homeless veterans locally. For more info on the Hygiene Drive and other Purple Star School District initiatives, please contact our Military Community Liaison Sondra Thomas at SThomas@acpsd.net.
#ACPSDCelebrates #MonthOfMilitaryChild #PurpleStar #ACPSD
Our school libraries are more than just books. They're spaces where curiosity grows, creativity thrives, and students discover a lifelong love of learning. From research and digital literacy to storytelling and innovation, our librarians make it all possible. Join us this month in recognizing the incredible impact of our school libraries and the dedicated professional who bring them to life every day!
#ACPSDCelebrates #ACPSD #AikenCountyPublicSchools #SchoolLibraryMonth
Join us in celebrating our Employee of the Month, Allison Cook!
Allison serves as the Job Coach for Special Programs’ NEXT Bridge Transition to Employment program, supporting individuals ages 18–21 with disabilities as they build skills for competitive employment and independence.
Allison Cook is truly a tremendous asset to our program and our district. She embodies service, compassion, and excellence in all she does.
Thank you, Allison, for demonstrating excellence and making a difference every day—we appreciate you!
A break for ACPSD is almost here!
All students will be out of school tomorrow, Thursday, March 26, for a scheduled Professional Development Day, as well as Friday, March 27, which was originally designated as a weather make-up day. As this make-up day is not needed, school will not be in session for students this Friday.
The Spring Intersession for Intervention and Enrichment is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 30 and will conclude on Thursday, April 2. Students attending Spring Intersession will attend next week, Monday-Thursday; students not attending Intersession will not attend school. Please visit the Intersession information on our website at www.acpsd.net/intersession, which includes district- and community-sponsored opportunities.
Please note that Friday, April 3, is a designated District Holiday, and all schools and offices will be closed. Schools and offices will also be closed the week of Spring Break, April 6-10.
All students and staff are scheduled to return to school and work on Monday, April 13, 2026.
Have a safe and well-deserved break!
From feeder schools including Aiken Intermediate, Chukker Creek, Millbrook, & Oakwood-Windsor Elementary Schools and East Aiken School of the Arts to Kennedy’s own departments, every booth showed how literacy connects to every subject and everyday life.
Students explored hands-on activities, including a forensics experience with Aiken Public Safety and trivia with the Palmetto Sate Literacy Association. Activities didn’t stop there with booths hosting Mad Lib Madness, Mystery Manor, grammar cup stacking, engineering, word searches, spin-the-wheel, raffles, step-by-steps and much more!
It was a night to remember with food trucks, tons of engagement and nonstop excitement. We hope to see you next year at the annual Literacy Night!
#ACPSD #AikenCountyPublicSchools #LiteracyNight
AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, MARCH 24 BOARD MEETING
The Board of Education will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 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.
Aiken County Public School District had a blast hosting Congressman Joe Wilson and Councilman Byron Thomas for a "Capital" tour of our latest projects and student achievements.
The visits began at Belvedere Elementary School where we took a hard-hat tour with Hood Construction of the new 15,000+ sq. ft. cafeteria and gym! Belvedere's student ambassadors showed off Mrs. Robinson's incredible student art projects, and we even had a few "former Bears" on the Congressman's staff get a little nostalgic visiting the original building.
In the afternoon we headed over to South Aiken high School where their FFA students are proving they are true high-tech pros!
FFA teacher, Ms. Altringer, and her very knowledgeable students demonstrated their vertical aeroponic tower gardens and led a tour of the grounds, where a brand-new 5,400 sq. ft. workshop and greenhouse will soon take shape.
Thank you, Congressman Wilson and Councilman Thomas, for taking time out of your busy schedules to visit our amazing students and staff!
To read more about this exciting event please visit https://www.acpsd.net/article/2780583.
A NIGHT OF EXCELLENCE: CELEBRATING THE 2026-2027 STARS OF PUBLIC EDUCATION
Tonight, at Aiken High School, the air was filled with music from the Jazz Band and a shared sense of pride as we honored the incredible individuals who make Aiken County Public Schools shine.
As Superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy reminded us, our schools are not defined by buildings or budgets, but by the people who show up every day for our students.
We are thrilled to introduce our 2026-2027 District Winners: District Teacher of the Year:
Jerry Brannon (Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle/High) A master of making complex science feel real and reachable. Mr. Brannon is a cornerstone of his school’s culture, known for meeting every learner exactly where they are with high expectations and a heart for mentorship.
First Year Teacher of the Year: Aleesha Ashe (North Augusta Elementary) In just her first year, Ms. Ashe has created a classroom filled with discovery and joy. Her poise and dedication to her 4K students prove that she is a rising star in the profession.
Principal of the Year: Dr. Charlene Heard (Warrenville Elementary) A visionary leader who believes that when educators are supported, students thrive. Dr. Heard’s leadership is rooted in the deep understanding that meaningful relationships are the foundation of academic growth.
Assistant Principal of the Year: Dr. Miranda Fulmer (Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle/High) Recognized for her innovative approach to school schedules and structures, Dr. Fulmer balances strategic data with a genuine heart for every student and staff member.
District Level Administrator of the Year: Brian Gibbons (Federal Programs) A leader of steady resolve and integrity. Mr. Gibbons is a vital guide for our principals, navigating complex responsibilities with a calm, compassionate approach.
Professional Staff Member of the Year: Carrie Adams (Hammond Hill Elementary) As a school nurse, Ms. Adams masterfully balances the well-being of our students with expert professional judgment, ensuring every child feels cared for, respected, and heard.
GEM of the Year: Karen Ulmer (North Augusta Elementary) The definition of service. Ms. Ulmer is the first to ask, "How can I help?" and brings a signature warmth to her school community that makes everyone feel at ease.
The evening also included a beautiful tribute to the legacy of Julie Revelle. Seeing so many staff members stand to honor her impact was a powerful reminder of what it means to lead with kindness.
To all our nominees and winners: Thank you for the talent and character you bring to our schools every single day!
Aiken County Public Schools will honor our STARS of Public Education this evening at a special event celebrating nominees for District Teacher of the Year, First Year Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, Assistant Principal of the Year, Professional Staff Member of the Year, District Level Administrator of the Year, and GEM. The evening will culminate with the announcement of winners in each category.
We are pleased to offer a live stream for families of our Honor Court members and others who are unable to attend in person. Please note that this is a simple live broadcast intended to share the experience in real time, and production quality may vary. Visit www.acpsd.net/stars at 6:00 p.m. to join us in celebrating our STARS of Public Education.
Aiken County elementary schools across the district got to show off all things green and lucky to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
Activities included bingo, creating a leprechaun trap, guest readers in classrooms, searching for gold and more!
