Our administrative leaders in schools across the district were surprised by family members and District Leadership during our STARS Honor Court celebration.

Congratulations to the three Principal of the Year Honor Court members!

Paige Day, Principal at Highland Springs Middle School

Charlene Heard, Principal at Warrenville Elementary School

Sheldon Higgenbottom, Principal at Midland Valley High School

We are excited to share the remainder of the ACPSD Honor Court in the coming days!

#ACPSD #AikenCountyPublicSchools #StarsHonorCourt #ACPSDcelebrates
4 months ago, Aiken County Public School District
Principal Charlene Heard receives flowers from ES Asst Superintendent Eric Jeffcoat.
Principal Sheldon Higgenbottom, center, with his wife, left, and daughter, right.
Superintendent Corey Murphy, Principal Paige Day, MS Asst Superintendent Phyllis Gamble.
Happy School Bus Driver Appreciation Week!! We want to give special recognition to our Special Education bus drivers, who go above and beyond to support our students. These drivers do so much more than transport students, they build trusting relationships, provide consistency and reassurance, and ensure our students arrive at school and return home safely each day. Their patience, compassion, and understanding make a meaningful difference for students with diverse needs, and their work is essential to creating a safe and supportive start and end to every school day. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and care they show to our students and families. Thank you for all that you do!
4 months ago, Department of Special Programs
SBDA
Feature Friday | January Employee of the Month

Please join us in celebrating our January 2026 Employee of the Month, Mariah Clay!

Mariah Clay consistently goes above and beyond to support students, staff, and families with compassion, professionalism, and unwavering dedication. They are often the first to notice when a student is needs support and the first to step in, quietly, thoughtfully, and effectively, ensuring that every child feels seen, heard, and valued.

Thank you, Mariah Clay, for demonstrating excellence and making a lasting impact at Clearwater Elementary and across ACPSD. We appreciate all that you do!
4 months ago, Human Resources
January 2026 Employee of the Month

Virtual Classes, Same Cap & Gown 🎓 Aiken iNNOVATE = Home School Pride 💛

What do these schools have in common? 🎓 Students can learn virtually with Aiken iNNOVATE & still graduate from their home school!

Now accepting applications: www.acpsd.net/ai #AikenInnovate #SchoolChoice #VirtualLearning #K12 #AikenSC #HomeSchoolPride

4 months ago, Aiken iNNOVATE
School logos for ACPSD schools indicating all students can participate in school virtually and graduate from their home schools.
MVHS logo indicating all students can participate in school virtually and graduate from their home schools.
SBHS logo indicating all students can participate in school virtually and graduate from their home schools.
NAHS logo indicating all students can participate in school virtually and graduate from their home schools.
AHS logo indicating all students can participate in school virtually and graduate from their home schools.
WSHS logo indicating all students can participate in school virtually and graduate from their home schools.
RSMHS logo indicating all students can participate in school virtually and graduate from their home schools.
SAHS logo indicating all students can participate in school virtually and graduate from their home schools.

REGULAR OPERATIONS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3

ACPSD will return to regular operations tomorrow, Tuesday, February 3, following this weekend’s historic snow event. With temperatures below freezing overnight, please use caution in travelling as some shaded areas may still be partly frozen. We have appreciated the patience and flexibility of our school community and look forward to welcoming everyone back in person tomorrow.

4 months ago, Aiken County Public School District
A beautiful sunny day image announcing a Weather Update for Normal Operations.

Aiken County Public School District celebrates and appreciates the impact of our school counselors during National School Counseling Week. This week brings public attention to the unique contributions of school counselors within our schools and the positive impact they have on students. This week highlights the vital role school counselors play in helping students achieve success.

Aiken County Public School District is proud to have 25 elementary school counselors, 21 middle school counselors, 30 high school counselors, and 5 special programs counselors. Each day, our counselors support the social, emotional, academic, and career development of our students. They are solution-focused professionals who collaborate with teachers, administrators, parents, and community organizations to help students thrive.

Thank you to our school counselors for the incredible impact you make each day in our school communities.

4 months ago, Aiken County Public School District
Happy National School Counseling Week.

E-LEARNING DAY /REMOTE WORKDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2026

Following this weekend’s winter storm and out of an abundance of caution for the safety of students, families, teachers and staff, tomorrow, Monday, February 2, will be an e-learning day for students. All teachers and staff will be on a remote work day as well.

Student e-learning will be available online, and our teachers are available for support. Should your student have any questions, difficulty, or need assistance with their e-learning assignments, please reach out.

Continued cold temperatures refreezing the snow that accumulated this weekend may impact our district’s operations for Tuesday as well. A decision regarding Tuesday will be announced no later than 3 p.m. tomorrow afternoon and will be made with the safety of all students, families, and employees at heart.

As always, we are grateful for the flexibility of our school community. Please be safe, enjoy the snow, and stay warm.

4 months ago, Aiken County Public School District
E Learning Day Information.
Sunday Shine | Snow Doubt About It, ACPSD Excellence Shines

What a flurry of talent across ACPSD! From classrooms to campuses, our employees continue to show up with heart, skill, and dedication, making a difference for students every single day. We’re grateful for the passion you bring and the pride you take in serving our community.

We truly love our ACPSD employees and are proud to celebrate you today and every day.

If you know a staff member who deserves special recognition, give them a shout-out! www.acpsd.net/shine

#SHINEACPSD #ACPSDcelebrates
4 months ago, Human Resources
Shine ACPSD Staff Shout Out Sunday, February 1, 2026 Presented by ACPSD's Teacher Forum
Jacquetta Hammonds Aiken High School School Counselor Shout out to a counselor who always brings a smile and knows exactly how to put one on everyone else’s face too. Your brightness, positivity, and enthusiasm truly light up every room you walk into. Thank you for being such a joyful presence and spreading so much happiness to those around you. Grace McBride
Amanda McGahee Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary School Kindergarten Teacher Not only is she the most patient, creative, and loving Kindergarten teacher our little ones could ever ask for, but she is also the coworker who is always there with a helping hand, a kind word, or the perfect resources when you need it. We are so lucky to have you on our team!
Joshua Harrison Technology Department Technology Specialist Huge Thanks to Joshua Harrison! Let's recognize Joshua Harrison for his incredible effort in tackling our Intune cleanup over the last few months. Joshua was instrumental in retiring outdated policies, improving performance, and creating better documentation. He's made our Intune environment cleaner, faster, and more secure for everyone. Great job stepping up, Joshua! Technology Leadership
Vickie Harby Special Programs Occupational Therapist Vickie is such a fantastic OT! She always helps when I ask her and is a valuable member all of the different schools and teams she serves. She recently went over and beyond to help me locate items to assist a student that is not on her caseload or at one of her schools. She is a true team player and always has the best interest of children in mind. She is the best!
John Murphy The Maintenance Department Maintenance TEAM Aiken Elementary School would like to thank the entire maintenance department for the timely assistance with beautification and revitalization projects. The entire department has resolved issues and provided support effectively and efficiently. Thank you for being an important part of the team! Aiken Elementary School
Ashley Poole New Ellenton Middle School Special Education Teacher A big shout-out to Mr. Poole for building incredible relationships with students while setting high academic expectations! His classroom is a place where students feel valued, challenged, and motivated to do their best. The positive culture he’s created shines through in every lesson, thank you for your dedication and hard work.
Christina Stader Special Programs Speech Pathologist A huge thank you for going above and beyond to teach NEXT Bridge Interns how to use accessibility features on their cell phones. Your effort is making the world of work more inclusive and empowering for individuals with disabilities. By helping students unlock these tools, you’re not just teaching technology—you’re opening doors to independence and opportunity. Amazing work! Kathy Griffin, NEXT Bridge Instructor
See a Teacher or Staff Member Shine Shout Out @ acpsd.net/shine
At the Tuesday, January 27, 2026, regularly-scheduled meeting, members took part in signing the new Ethical Principles poster, provided by the South Carolina School Boards Association.

The signing serves as a symbolic commitment to effective governance, transparency, and ethical leadership. The poster will remain on display in the boardroom throughout the year as a visible reminder of these shared principles.
4 months ago, Aiken County Public School District
Colse up of hand holding pen.
Board Members= smiling looking at poster.
Board member signing poster.
Board member smiling.
Board member smilibg while signing poster.
Board member smiling with poster.
Board member signing poster with pen.
Board member signing poster with others.
Wednesday, January 28, 2026, we celebrated our SC Junior Scholars Ceremony at Leavelle McCampbell Middle School. This ceremony was a wonderful celebration of our middle school students’ academic achievement and student success. 

The South Carolina Junior Scholars Program was initially developed by the South Carolina Department of Education in 1985 in support of the statewide effort to improve education and provide for the needs of students with exceptional academic talent. Students that qualify for this achievement receive an Award of Merit certificate. Students had to score 550 or higher on Evidence-Based Reading and Writing subtests of PSAT/NMSQT, and 530 or higher on the Math subtest of the PSAT/NMSQT.

Midland Valley High School Color Guard opened up the ceremony along with Kristanna Mitchell, student at Langley-Bath-Clearwater Middle School, who sang our National Anthem. Dr. Phyllis Gamble, Assistant Superintendent of Middle Schools, introduced the occasion noting the significance of the achievement. The musical opening continued with a performance by Paul Knox’s Orchestra which preceded the recognitions of students who were surrounded by family and school leaders. Students received a certificate along with a coin recognizing them for their dedication, perseverance, and merit in the classroom. Dr. Corey Murphy closed the ceremony commemorating the students' hard work and excellence.

We are incredibly proud of these students and grateful to everyone who helped make this celebration possible.

#ACPSDCelebrates #JuniorScholars #AikenCountyPublicSchools
4 months ago, Aiken County Public School District
Dr. Murphy speaking to group of Jr. Scholars.
Violinist playing in MVHS orchestra.
Langley-Bath Clearwater student performing the National Anthem.
Family taking photo of parent and student.
Family of student and student holding certificate.
Student holding commemorative coin with family.
Two students celebrating enthusiastically with their certificate awards.
Coins inside protective award cases.

Aiken County is forecasted to experience our most impactful winter weather since February 2010. At this time, our area is under a Winter Storm Warning beginning this evening at 10 p.m. lasting until 10 a.m. Sunday morning.


There are no required weather-related changes to any school or district-sponsored activities scheduled for this evening. However, any school or district activities planned for Saturday and Sunday will not be held due to projected snowfall accumulation and safety-related concerns.


Our district’s leaders are continuing to collaborate closely with Emergency Management Officials. A final determination will be made and an update will be shared by 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 1. Please note that a decision regarding operations for Monday haven’t yet been made. However, in preparation for possible e-learning on Monday, all students were sent home this afternoon with their laptop or other school-issued technology.


Please stay safe this weekend, enjoy the winter weather, and we will share information about our operations on Monday later this weekend.

4 months ago, Aiken County Public School District
January is School Board Appreciation Month, and we are proud to recognize our Board members for their service and dedication to students, staff, and the community. Your decisions and commitment make a lasting impact on our schools and the future of our students. We are grateful for all you do.

#ACPSDCelebrates #SchoolBoardAppreciation #AikenCountyPublicSchools
4 months ago, Aiken County Public School District
Board member speaking at 100 year anniversary event.
Board member speaking with Dr. Murphy at blue ribbon ceremony.
Board member smiling with cards from students.
Board member smiling at field event.
Board member speaking at event.
Board member signing a school yearbook.
Board member speaking at event.
Board members grouped up in front of their seats.
Due to the anticipated weather conditions this Saturday, January 31, 2026, the Hiring Event has been cancelled. While we are disappointed we will not be able to meet with you in person this Saturday, we strongly encourage applicants to continue monitoring our job board and applying for any positions of interest.

For more information on joining ACPSD and to contact recruiters directly please visit www.acpsd.net/join-our-team. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

#ACPSD #AikenCountyPublicSchools
4 months ago, Aiken County Public School District
Hiring Event Cancelled, please reach out to recruiters directly for more information. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Our District Level Administrator of the Year Honor Court nominees were recognized during our Public Education STARS celebration. Directors were surprised by District Leaders and family members joined us in this celebration at their schools and workplaces.

Congratulations to our District Level Administrator of the Year Honor Court!

Dustin Fowler, Virtual Learning Coordinator at Aiken Innovate

Michelle Everhart, Director of Technology for Aiken County Public Schools

Brian Gibbons, Director of Federal Programs for Aiken County Public Schools


We are proud of the work these District Level employees provide. We will continue to share our Honor Court members in the coming days.

#ACPSD #AikenCountyPublicSchools #StarsHonorCourt #ACPSDcelebrates

4 months ago, Aiken County Public School District
A man smiles as a hallway of people clap.
Two people hug in celebration while holding flowers.
Two men shake hands and smile.
Group of people pose together smiling in front of an Aiken Innovate banner.
Four people smile together.
Two men pose after receiving an award.
We apologize for the issue that occurred early in our School Board Meeting (January 27, 2026) with the live-stream, which wasn't functioning properly. Through our technology team's quick collaboration with live-stream vendor Swagit/Granicus, the live-stream has since been restored.

 Please know that functionality was restored as quickly as possible, and that the meeting was also being recorded. A full recording will be made available and posted once available.
4 months ago, Aiken County Public School District
The live-stream, powered through our vendor for these services Swagit/Granicus, for tonight's Board Meeting is currently not functioning properly. We are aware of the issue and are working with our vendor to restore functionality as quickly as possible. Please note that the meeting is also being recorded and a full recording will be made available and posted.
4 months ago, Aiken County Public School District

AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, JANUARY 27 BOARD MEETING
The Board of Education will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 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.

4 months ago, Aiken County Public School District

We are excited to recognize our Assistant Principal of the Year Honor Court for the 2025-2026 school year. District Leadership and some family members visited their schools These administrators were surprised by our District Leadership, with some family members joining in to celebrate this well-deserved recognition.

Congratulations to our Assistant Principal of the Year Honor Court!

Anna Beth Harbeson, Assistant Principal at Belvedere Elementary School

Jamie Byrne, Assistant Principal at Aiken Intermediate

Miranda Fulmer, Assistant Principal at Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle/ High School


Stay tuned as we continue to highlight additional STARS Honor Court categories over the coming days!

#ACPSD #AikenCountyPublicSchools #StarsHonorCourt #ACPSDcelebrates

4 months ago, Aiken County Public School District
Two women hug as celebration.
Two women hug in a school hallway.
Two women share kind words as a celebration.
A family photo in a school hallway.
Woman stands with flowers as a celebration.
Man kisses top of woman's forehead during celebration.

January 27, 2026: Regular Operations

Aiken County Public Schools will return to a regular schedule tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27, 2026, with no change to arrival times.

Thank you for your flexibility this morning as we operated on a two-hour delay due to the weekend’s winter storm.

Please anticipate continued cool temperatures throughout the week. District leaders will continue monitoring weather conditions alongside local Emergency Management officials, including the potential for a weather system this weekend, and will communicate any updates if changes to operations become necessary.

4 months ago, Aiken County Public School District

We are excited to share the upcoming Aiken County Career and Technology Center CTE Techno Camp for fifth grade students!

This camp will take place Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. All Aiken County Public School fifth grade students are invited to participate in the CTE Techno Camp to engage in hands-on activities lead by ACCTC instructors to show students the advantages of Career and Technical Education! Students will select up to three courses to participate in throughout the day where they will learn about robotics, diesel technology, cosmetology, nail technology, welding, culinary arts, media technology , fashion design, biomedical science, cybersecurity, graphic design and health science.

The deadline to submit the application is Wednesday. February 25th by 5:00 p.m. Spots are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please contact Alvina Jackson at ahead@acpsd.net.

#AikenCountyPublicSchools #ACCTC #ACPSD

4 months ago, Aiken County Public School District
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