Aiken, South Carolina, September 5, 2025
News Summary
As the new school year approached, Aiken County is preparing for the return of students on July 22 with new leadership in several schools. The district’s new superintendent, Corey Murphy, will oversee professional development for educators and community initiatives. On July 18, ‘Meet-the-Teacher’ events will facilitate connections between families and teachers, while school supply lists vary by location. The community has shown strong support through events like ‘Stuff the Bus’ and a backpack drive, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in education.
Aiken, South Carolina is gearing up for a new school year, with students set to return on July 22, 2024. This year marks a significant transition for the district as Corey Murphy begins his role as the new superintendent.
Several schools in the district will see changes in leadership, with Schofield Middle School and North Augusta Elementary School welcoming new principals. As the school year approaches, professional development and teacher workdays are currently taking place at schools to prepare educators for the upcoming year.
An essential part of the back-to-school preparation involves engaging with students and parents. On July 18, all Aiken County elementary schools will host “Meet-the-Teacher” events from 2-6 p.m., providing an opportunity for families to meet their child’s teachers. Concurrently, middle and high schools will conduct “Walk-Your-Schedule” events from 3-6 p.m. to help students familiarize themselves with their schedules and teachers.
Parents are reminded that school supply lists differ by school, and they can be accessed on each individual school’s website or obtained directly from teachers during the Thursday meet-ups. Common school supplies that students will need for Aiken County schools include:
- Composition notebooks
- Pencils
- Folders with prongs and pockets
- Pencil boxes or pouches
- Glue sticks
- Crayons and colored pencils
- Headphones
The school calendar will also feature a long weekend for students from August 30 to September 2 for Labor Day and a professional development day. Following this, students will enjoy a fall break from September 28 to October 13, including weekends.
Community support initiatives are in full swing to assist students in need of school supplies. The United Way of Aiken County recently conducted its annual “Stuff the Bus” collection event on July 10, gathering essential supplies such as book bags and classroom materials. Collected items will be distributed to students on July 16. Furthermore, the Successteam organized a Back to School Bookbag Drive on July 12, successfully providing free backpacks filled with supplies to over 2,000 students. This initiative, running for ten years, underscores the importance of community involvement in supporting educational initiatives.
The collaboration among community members and volunteers during the Successteam event highlights the power of collective effort in fostering an environment where students can thrive academically.
Key Dates to Remember
- School start date: July 22, 2024
- Meet-the-Teacher events: July 18, 2024
- Walk-Your-Schedule events: July 18, 2024
- Labor Day weekend: August 30 – September 2, 2024
- Fall break: September 28 – October 13, 2024
Summary of School Supplies
- Composition notebooks
- Pencils
- Folders with prongs and pockets
- Pencil boxes or pouches
- Glue sticks
- Crayons and colored pencils
- Headphones
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the school year start for Aiken County students?
The school year begins on July 22, 2024.
What are the supply lists for schools?
Supply lists vary by school and can be found on individual school websites or provided by teachers during meet-up events.
What community initiatives are underway this summer?
The United Way of Aiken County hosted a “Stuff the Bus” event to collect school supplies, and the Successteam distributed backpacks to students on July 12.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Aiken County Expands School Resource Officer Program
Aiken Scholars Academy Achieves Top Ranking in Education
Aiken County School District Approves Full-Time Athletic Trainers
South Carolina’s Small Towns: A Growing Attraction for New Residents
Bridge Replacement Projects Begin in Aiken County
Aiken County School Board Approves Full-Time Athletic Trainers
Aiken County School District Establishes Full-Time Athletic Trainer Positions
South Carolina Enforces New Hands-Free Driving Law
Community Mourns the Loss of Educator Cecil Atchley
Aiken public school updates: Districtwide literacy rollout and kindergarten screening dates
Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Stuff the Bus Collects Donations
- WRDW: How to Get Free Back-to-School Supplies
- Post and Courier: Successteam Bookpack Drive
- Augusta Chronicle: Augusta Area Back to School Dates
- Post and Courier: Aiken County SRP Back to School
- Wikipedia: Back to School
- Google Search: School Supplies Initiatives
- Google Scholar: Educational Support Programs
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Google News: Back to School Supplies Community Support
Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN
The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
