The impact of a great teacher lasts a lifetime.
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to the educators who inspire curiosity, build confidence, and change lives every single day. Your impact goes far beyond the classroom, and our schools are stronger because of you.
Thank you for your passion, your patience, and your unwavering dedication to students.
Make sure to check our socials to watch a special message from our Superintendent and School Board Chairman.
We're hiring the drivers who keep our schools moving.
Join us for our Bus Driver Hiring Event and take the first step toward a rewarding career supporting students everyday.
Date: May 14, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: Transportation Office located at 2457 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Warrenville, SC 29851
We will be conducting interviews and providing information about driver training. No experience is required. Please come prepared for an interview and bring your resume which should include reference contact information. Interviews will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Pre-registration is highly recommended to ensure a faster, smoother check-in experience, but walk-ins are welcome.
Registration link: https://acpsd.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5593469
If you have additional questions, please reach out to Hope Mullins at hmullins@acpsd.net.
Don't forget Amp the Appreciation is happening tonight!
Join us for an exciting evening celebrating the incredible people who power our schools. You won't want to miss it!
Stop by our table in the middle of The Alley in Downtown Aiken to pick up your Downtown Dollars and take advantage of exclusive discounts available just for ACPSD teachers + staff to use at select businesses around downtown and beyond, our way of saying thank you for all you do. As you get your dollars, you will be entered in raffle drawings for an arrangement of prizes generously donated by local businesses!
We are thrilled to announce an exciting lineup of performances including the Aiken High School Jazz Band, Youth Strings Academy Beginners and Advanced Elementary Strings, Chukker Creek Elementary Champion Singers and Theater Club, Wagener-Salley High Jazz Band, Silver Bluff High School Jazz Band, and the headliner Savanah Sunday!
As you take part in the festivities don't forget to take photos and share them on social media using our #acpsdAMP26 hashtag!
Let's come together, celebrate big, and keep the appreciation loud. We can't wait to see you there!
Strong schools start with strong leadership and today we celebrate the principals who lead with vison, heart, and purpose.
Our principals wear many hats each day such as mentor, problem-solver, encourager, and leader, while always putting students and staff first. They set the tone for their schools by building a positive culture and working behind the scenes to ensure every classroom is a place where students can thrive.
We are grateful for the impact you make in every school, every day.
Today we celebrate the incredible individuals who keep our students nourished, focused, and ready to learn. From preparing nutritious meals to greeting students with a smile, our child nutrition managers and operators make a difference far beyond the cafeteria line.
Thank you for your dedication, your heart, and the vital role you play in our schools each and every day. You are truly heroes in every sense of the word!
Did you know? Retired educators with a valid Professional Certificate can keep sharing their wisdom in the classroom through the Retired Educator Certificate!
Here’s how it works:
✅ Apply beginning May 1 if your certificate expires June 30.
✅ Once approved, you’ll receive a Retired Educator Certificate effective July 1.
✅ Keep renewing every 5 years with a quick request through My SC Educator Portal—no coursework required!
Your passion and experience are priceless, and we’d love for you to continue making a difference with ACPSD students!
Ready to keep inspiring? Visit ed.sc.gov to learn more!
Your hard work is the fuel that keeps Aiken County moving forward, and this Friday, we are turning up the volume to say thank you!
Please mark your calendars for Friday, May 1, for our annual AMP THE APPRECIATION event. We are excited to bring our entire team together in beautiful downtown Aiken for a night dedicated entirely to celebrating your dedication, your talent, and the incredible work you do every single day.
Event Highlights & Logistics
Kickoff & Registration: The festivities begin at 3:30 PM at the tent located in the center of The Alley.
Downtown Dollars: Visit the tent to collect your "Downtown Dollars" to spend as you shop, eat, and explore the heart of our city.
Raffle Entries: When you pick up your dollars, you are automatically entered into our raffle drawings for prizes donated by our generous local business partners.
Event Guide: A list will be shared next Friday morning featuring participating shops, restaurants, and exclusive "Educator Specials" to maximize your Downtown Dollars.
Live Entertainment: Enjoy performances by our own talented student performers starting at 5:00 PM, followed by our headliner, Savannah Sunday, taking the stage at 7:00 PM.
Arts & Culture: While strolling on Laurens Street, stop by the Aiken Center for the Arts to view student artwork and get an exclusive sneak peek at this weekend’s Fine Art Festival.
Aiken County truly loves our teachers and staff, and we cannot wait to see everyone there to AMP THE APPRECIATION once again. You give your best to our schools every day; now, it is our turn to give back to you.
The stage is set, and the spotlight is officially on you, and we can’t wait to see you Friday in The Alley!
On School Bus Driver Appreciation Day, we recognize the dedicated individuals who safely transport our students each day. Their reliability, professionalism, and commitment play a critical role in supporting student success across our district.
We are grateful for the care and consistency our bus drivers provide to students and families. Help us thank our drivers for all they do in the comments below!
We will soon share information about our upcoming Bus Driver Hiring Event, so keep an eye on our socials in the days to come!
Join us in celebrating the creativity and talent of our students at the 2026 ACPSD Fine Arts Festival! The community is invited to experience an inspiring showcase of the arts, featuring performances by our talented student groups on Friday, May 1st at 5:00 PM.
Additionally, come explore a vibrant collection of K–12 artwork on display throughout downtown at the Aiken Center for the Arts, highlighting the imagination and skill of students across the district. Whether you enjoy visual art, music, or live performances, this festival offers something for everyone.
Bring your family and friends and be a part of this exciting celebration of the arts in our community!
This award recognizes schools and departments that help build and maintain a strong culture of safety across our district.
We are committed to promoting safety and preventing accidents across our schools, facilities, and departments, and that work would not be possible without the support of our principals, supervisors, and leaders. The Safety Incentive Award reinforces this commitment by encouraging a strong safety culture that benefits employees through safer workplaces and helps reduce workers’ compensation costs for the district.
Thank you to our principals, supervisors, and leaders for continuing to make safety a top priority each day.
Congratulations to Dr. Christine Palladino, our Aiken County Career and Technology Center (ACCTC) biomedical science teacher who was just named as South Carolina's 2026-27 Teacher of the Year. In addition to the honor, she has been awarded $25,000, the use of a brand-new BMW for a year, $2,000 from Bojangles, a commemorative ring from Jostens, as well as a free graduate degree.
Dr. Palladino was joined today by her family, Superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy, and ACCTC Principal David Harris at the Governor's mansion for a Gala in the Garden with her ACPSD family watching her virtually back home. Watch the big announcement at the end of this linked livestream.
SCDE Teacher of the Year Livestream
We've had the opportunity to follow Dr. Palladino's journey from being named District Teacher of the Year, to a state finalist, and now South Carolina's 2026-27 Teacher of the Year. Get to know more about our district's top teacher and why she was named today as best in the state in a short video filmed when the state superintendent surprised her in the classroom last month. Congratulations Dr Palladino
Our communications team sent a videographer to Columbia today to capture the moment, and there's more to come.
Please join us in celebrating her!
Happy Earth Day!
Today we are reminded that even the smallest actions can make a big impact. Across the District, students and staff are learning, leading and taking steps to care for our planet both in and out the classroom.
From recycling and conserving energy to planting and protecting green spaces, we are proud to see our schools making a difference every day. These efforts include Aiken Elementary's composting and "Maverick Miracle Cleaner" projects, South Aiken's vertical aeroponic tower gardens, and Ridge Spring-Monetta's FFA program and Annual Agricultural Day. At Midland Valley High, FFA and environmental students recently celebrated Earth Day and Arbor Day by relocating trees to the teacher parking lot, preparing the Stampede Falls trail for the cross-country track, and monitoring wildlife food plots.
These are just a few examples of how our schools are creating a cleaner, healthier future for generations to come!
Shout out something special that your school does below!
#ACPSDCelebrates #EarthDay #AikenCountyPublicSchools
From the front office to every department behind the scenes, you are the welcoming faces, the organizers and the steady hands that keep everything running smoothly each day. Your dedication, professionalism and care does not go unnoticed.
Thank you for supporting our students, staff and families with excellence and kindness. We are grateful for all that you do, today and every day.
Let us know below how an administrative professional has made a difference in your day!
#ACPSDCelebrates #AdministrativeProfessionalsDay #AikenCountyPublicSchools
AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, APRIL 21 BOARD MEETING
The Board of Education will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 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 High School’s Educators Rising would like to invite you and your children to enjoy “A Royal Family Ball - Under the Sea” in the Aiken High School cafeteria on May 8th - 6:00-8:30 PM. This event is for families with young children to experience a “prom-like” event, where they get to dress up in fancy clothes, dance to fun music, eat delicious snacks, make crafts, play games, enjoy other activities, and take pictures of the memories!
Tickets are available on GoFan.com. See the link and QR Code in the picture. Costs are $5.00 for each child ages 3-years-old to 12-years-old (children 2 + under are free). All children must be accompanied by an adult family member (18-years-old and up). Costs for adult tickets are $10.00.
If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Christa Franklin (cfranklin2@acpsd.net), the Educators Rising adviser and Early Childhood Education Instructor.
Every moment of support adds up to something bigger for our students.
This week we are proud to recognize the incredible volunteers who help bring our schools to life. It is a time to celebrate the staff, students, families, and community members who generously give their time to support learning in meaningful ways. Whether assisting in classrooms, supporting media centers, helping at school events, working behind the scenes, and so much more, our volunteers play a vital role in creating welcoming and successful school environments.
Help us say thank you and comment below to shout out a volunteer who makes a difference!
#ACPSDCelebrates #PublicSchoolVolunteerWeek #AikenCountyPublicSchools
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!
