Kanawha County Schools is committed to being open and transparent about how public dollars are used to support our students, schools, and staff.

Each year, KCS holds a public budget hearing to review the proposed budget, explain key funding pieces, and give families, staff, and community members an opportunity to ask questions, share comments, and learn more about the process.

School funding includes many different sources, and some dollars come with specific rules for how they can be used. That’s why the public hearing is an important opportunity to hear the details directly and better understand the budget.

Meeting Details:

📅 KCS Public Hearing, FY27 Budget
🗓 Monday, May 11, 2026
⏰ 4:00 p.m.
📍 157 2nd Avenue, South Charleston (Edison Staff Development Center)
💻 Livestream: https://kcs.kana.k12.wv.us/o/kcs/page/kcs-live-stream

This meeting is open to the public. We welcome you to attend, listen, ask questions, and learn more.
9 minutes ago, Kanawha County Schools
Busting School Budget Myths. Myth: If the budget increases, the school/district must be spending more freely. Fact: Budget increases are often tied to specific funding sources with strict rules on how the money can be used. Want to learn more? KCS FY 27 Public Budget Hearing is May 11 at 4:00 p.m. at 157 2nd Avenue South Charleston, WV.
KCS students stepped outside the classroom and into their communities.

Last Friday, students across the county put their plans into action.
Cleaning up, giving back, and showing what student leadership looks like in real life.

From school grounds to city parks and community spaces, our students got to work. Some spent time with residents in nursing homes, others volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House, and some supported the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association.

To see a list of all the projects students took on, click the "KCS Students Lead County-Wide Service" article in the comments.

We are proud of the way they’re representing their schools and their communities. ❤️
4 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
A nursing home resident, sitting at a table, is holding up her finished painting project and laughing. A student is sitting beside her and looking at her and smiling.
Students working in the flower bed in front of their school. Students are using shovels and other garden tools to get the area ready for new flowers to be planted.
South Charleston high school students and staff, along with KCS superintendent Dr. Paula Potter, pose for a picture at the Ronald McDonald House after donating supplies there.
A student carrying two clear trash bags that are full of leaves and other debris.
One student is kneeling down in a flower bed under a tree digging a hole to plant flowers in. Two students, one bent over and the other standing, are beside him as he digs.
A group of students and nursing home residents are sitting around a table doing a painting project.
A student and a nursing home resident are sitting at a table doing a painting project. The student is in the middle of talking to the nursing home resident.
A group of students and their teacher smiling for a picture before starting their service project. There is a metal cart in front of the students that is holding different boxes and bags.
Two students are standing up talking to each other while doing a community service project. Behind them other students are digging in the dirt.
Group picture of students standing under a picnic shelter at a park in St. Albans.
🤝 KCS students are stepping up.

The KCS Student Leadership Team has organized service projects to give back to their communities in meaningful ways.

Hayes Middle School students cleaned up City Park, Roadside Park, Billy Dunn Field and Kirk Stadium in St. Albans.

To see all the projects students are doing this week, click on the link in the comments!
8 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
A group picture of students standing under a picnic shelter in a park.
From classroom to real world…just like that. 🧪➡️🏭

Herbert Hoover High students got an inside look at science in action during a visit to the Dow West Virginia Operations in South Charleston!

For the past several weeks, a Dow Production Engineer—and Hoover alum, Josh, has been in their classroom teaching the chemistry behind making soap…then helping them actually make it. 🧼

On the tour, students saw those same processes on a much larger scale, explored Dow’s operations, and learned about career opportunities right here in West Virginia.

Real lessons. Real opportunities. 👀
16 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
A student on the tour is pointing to a piece of equipment that cannot be seen in the picture. The student is wearing a hard hat, safety glasses, safety gloves, and ear plugs.
A DOW employee, pictured from behind, is talking to a group of students during the tour of the DOW plant. Students are standing in a semi circle around the employee to listen to the employee. The students and employee are and wearing hard hats, safety gloves, safety glasses, and ear plugs.
Two DOW employees are standing in front of students during the tour. One employee is directly in front of students, who are standing in a semi circle. The second employee is off to the side of the students and is holding a pair of blue gloves. The students and employees are wearing hard hats, safety glasses, safety gloves, and ear plugs.
Students on a tour at the DOW Plant in South Charleston. Students are wearing hard hats, safety glasses, and safety gloves while are listening to a DOW employee talk
One student, wearing dark sunglasses, listens in during the DOW Tour. He is also wearing a hard hat and ear plugs. Other students are gathered around him.
Students are standing in front of a DOW employee during the tour of the plant. Students and the employee are wearing hard hats, safety glasses, safety gloves, and ear plugs. Behind the students are pipelines that run through the plant as well as a blue building.
Two students, wearing hard hats, safety glasses, safety gloves, and ear plugs are standing near a row of pipes during the DOW tour.
Students listen in on the tour of the DOW Plant, and are wearing a hard hat, safety glasses, safety gloves, and ear plugs.
Students wearing hard hats, safety glasses, and safety gloves, are listening while a DOW Operator, not pictured, talks about DOW Operations.
A student is looking at DOW equipment during a tour of the DOW Plant. The student is wearing a hard hat, safety glasses, safety gloves, and ear plugs.
Juniors…this is your main character moment. 🎬📚

SAT School Day is tomorrow, Wednesday, April 15th.
No Saturday. No stress about signing up. Just pull up to school and do your thing.
Lowkey a big deal…highkey your chance to boost that score for college, scholarships, all of it.

Lock in. Stay calm. Cook. 🧠✏️

Class of 2027…do your thing! 💯🔥
17 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
KCS Spring 2026 Summative Assessment Calendar. Digital SAT School Day is April 15th, 2026 for 11th grade students. WV Alternate Summative Assessment is April 13 through May 15 for 3rd though 8th grade and 11th grade. WV General Summative Assessment is May 4-May 22 for 3rd through 8th grade and 11th grade. Good Luck.
This school year, students in grades 3–12 will take part in an online safety lesson during the school day.

This comes from a West Virginia law (SB 466) passed in 2024, which requires all schools to provide this type of instruction and to use a state-approved platform. For our students, that platform is CyberSWAT/SKYLL.

The lessons are designed to help students better understand situations they may face online:

🔹 Protect their personal information
🔹 Recognize unsafe situations online
🔹 Avoid scams and manipulation
🔹Know when to reach out to a trusted adult
🔹Students will move through interactive, scenario-based experiences, referred to as stories.

Grades 3–5: Realm Quest
Grades 6–12: Miss Informed

We do want families to be aware that some of the situations presented in these lessons are more serious in nature and may introduce topics that you may prefer to approach in your own way or on your own timeline.

Because of that, we encourage families to review the materials ahead of time.

You can see what topics will be covered in the course and read a breakdown of each story in the parent guide,
https://wveis.k12.wv.us/cyberswat

While this instruction is required under state law, families do have the option to choose an alternative lesson for their child. The opt out form is available in the parent guide.
18 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
A screenshot of the online safety course that West Virginia students must take. The course is set up as a game that allows students to make choices based on certain events. In this picture, the teacher in the game says, "It is when someone makes a fake message that looks real to trick you into giving up personal information." Below that quote block is two responses for students to pick from. The first says, "So the secret server was bait?" and the second says, " That's so sneaky. It looked totally real!"
⚾️ “If you build it, they will come…”

And Herbert Hoover High School wood shop students definitely delivered. 👏

🛠️ Designed it.
🪵 Built it.
📦 Installed it.

These students stepped up to the plate and knocked this project out of the park for George Washington High School, creating brand new baseball lockers that look as good as they are solid.

This is what KCS teamwork looks like 💙
One school helping another.
Students doing real work.
Results you can be proud of.

Home run, HHHS. 🧢⚾️
28 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
A row of lockers in the GWHS baseball locker room. There are stools for players to sit on, folded up, leaning against the inside wall of each locker. The stools are black and have the GW letters on them.
A close up shot of the lockers in the GWHS baseball locker room. This picture is focused on a small storage area in the upper left hand corner of each locker. The door covering the storage area has GW letters engrained on them.
A row of lockers in the GWHS baseball locker room. There are stools for players to sit on, folded up, leaning against the inside wall of each locker. The stools are black and have the GW letters on them. On top of the lockers are cleats, hats, baseball gloves, and batting helmets.
A row of lockers in the GWHS baseball locker room. There are stools for players to sit on, folded up, leaning against the inside wall of each locker. The stools are black and have the GW letters on them. On top of the lockers are cleats, hats, baseball gloves, and batting helmets.
🔔 When the bell rings, your day doesn’t stop...we’ve got you covered.

Sign ups for KCS Third Base is officially OPEN for the 2026–2027 school year.

This isn’t just after-school care, it’s a safe, structured place where K–5 students can unwind, get homework done, and stay engaged until pickup.

📅 Registration opens April 1
📍 Multiple school locations across Kanawha County
🗓 Program begins August 19

Spots fill up fast and enrollment is first come, first served.

👉 Head to our website to download your enrollment packet.

We’ll drop the link + full details in the comments 👇
30 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
Registration for KCS Third Base Program are now open.
☀️ Summer plans = handled

KCSCEP Summer Camp is back for 2026, and it’s packed with fun, friends, and full-day care for our K–5 students. 🎒

From field trips (pool, movies, bowling 🎳) to hands-on activities, good meals, and a full day of supervised fun...this is more than childcare, it’s a place for kids to make core summer memories.

📍 Locations: Central, Elk, Flinn, Overbrook (these locations are open to everyone, not just students living in these school districts)
📅 June 8 – August 7
⏰ 7:00 AM – 5:40 PM

Spots fill up fast and registration opens April 1.
👉 Head to our website to get started.

We’ll drop the full details + link in the comments 👇
about 1 month ago, Kanawha County Schools
A geometric graphic that has pictures of students in different boxes and fun summer colors in other boxes.
Big smiles. Bright balloons. And a whole lot of heart. 💙🥚

Students from the Herbert Hoover feeder area came together today for an Exceptional Egg Hunt.
A morning created for students in ID, Autism, and Hearing & Vision programs.

🤝 HHHS students teamed up with younger students
🥚 Egg hunts + goodies everywhere
🧪 Elephant toothpaste experiment done by two HHHS students = crowd favorite
🍽️ Lunch, laughter, and real connection

It wasn’t just fun, it was students showing up for each other and making sure everyone felt included. 💛
about 1 month ago, Kanawha County Schools
Students and teachers are scattered about in the HHHS courtyard during the Egg Hunt event. Some students are sitting at the patio tables and others are walking around.
A young student is sitting down on the ground smiling at the camera. The easter eggs the student collected are sitting on the ground in front of her.
A Herbert Hoover student, wearing her red softball jersey, is holding hands with a younger student as they walk around the courtyard area during the event. The younger student is holding a purple balloon and a green balloon. Students sitting down at a near by table and looking at the two as they walk by.
The easter bunny and a herbert hoover student are posing for a picture with a student in a wheelchair. The wheelchair has a pink and gold balloon with flowers on it tied to the back.
A crowd of students are smiling at the chemical reaction of the science experiment. The science experiment cannot be seen in the picture.
A Herbert Hoover student is holding up a graduated cylinder that has blue liquid in the bottom of it. The student is wearing blue latex gloves, a black lab apron, and has on safety goggles.
A young student, wearing a Lilo and Stich shirt, is playing tag with an older student. The younger student is starting to reach out to tag the older student, and the older student has both of his hands in the air to signal that he has been caught.
Two young students and a Herbert Hoover student are running around one of the red patio tables playing a game of tag. The Herbert Hoover student is chasing the two younger students.
The Easter Bunny is posing for a picture with a student. They are making the rock and roll hand gesture with their index and pinkie fingers. In front of them, is a red patio table with two students sitting down. One student is looking at the easter bunny and the other is looking at the camera while reaching in her bag used for collecting the eggs.
🍔 A quick update on school menus.

We’ve made a change to how Kanawha County Schools shares monthly menus. The previous setup worked well for most families, but it didn’t fully meet updated ADA accessibility requirements.

This new format ensures all families can access menu information, including those using screen readers or other assistive technology.

Everything is now organized on one webpage, with quick links to text based menus for each school level and program. You also have the option to download and/or screenshot a traditional view of the menu at the bottom of each individual menu page.

🛜 To find the updated page on our website:
🔹 Click on Menu in the top right corner of the KCS Homepage
🔹 Look under the Parent/Guardian column
🔹 Click on School Menus | Kanawha County Schools
🔹 From that page, you can search for the menu you need

👉 A link to the new page is in the comments of this post!
about 1 month ago, Kanawha County Schools
The new KCS Food Menus can be found on the KCS website by clicking on the Menu button in the upper right hand corner of the KCS homepage, looking under the parent/guardian column, and then clicking on School Menus | Kanawha County Schools.

The countdown is on 🎓✨

Graduation season is almost here, and we can’t wait to celebrate the Class of 2026! Check out the full schedule below and start making plans to cheer on your favorite graduate. All graduation ceremonies will be held at the Charleston Coliseum.

📅 Graduation Schedule:
• Sissonville High School — Thursday, May 21 at 1:00 PM
• St. Albans High School — Thursday, May 21 at 7:00 PM
• South Charleston High School — Friday, May 22 at 1:00 PM
• Riverside High School — Friday, May 22 at 7:00 PM
• Nitro High School — Tuesday, May 26 at 1:00 PM
• George Washington High School — Tuesday, May 26 at 7:00 PM
• Herbert Hoover High School — Wednesday, May 27 at 1:00 PM
• Capital High School — Wednesday, May 27 at 7:00 PM

Big moments. Bright futures. Let’s go, KCS! 🎉

about 1 month ago, Kanawha County Schools
 Sissonville High School — Thursday, May 21 at 1:00 PM   Herbert Hoover High School — Thursday, May 21 at 1:00 PM   St. Albans High School — Thursday, May 22 at 7:00 PM   South Charleston High School — Friday, May 22 at 1:00 PM   Riverside High School — Friday, May 22 at 7:00 PM   Nitro High School — Tuesday, May 26 at 1:00 PM  George Washington High School — Tuesday, May 26 at 7:00 PM   Herbert Hoover High School — Wednesday, May 27 at 1:00 PM   Capital High School — Wednesday, May 27 at 7:00 PM

KCS families, here’s some calendar news!

Kanawha County Schools has been granted a waiver by the West Virginia Department of Education for the 180-day instructional requirement.
❄️ Snow days that happened between:

August 15th, 2025 - March 16th, 2026 will NOT need to be made up this school year.

🗓️ That means, as of today (3/16), the last day of school will remain Friday, May 29.

If the district experiences another full districtwide closure between now and the end of the school year, the calendar could change. If that happens, we will share an update with families.

about 2 months ago, Kanawha County Schools
KCS has been granted a wavier from the WVDE for the 180 day instructional requirement. As of March 16th, no snow days will need to be made up and the last day of school for this year is May 29th, 2026.
Final Side Quest 🎯

Think back on your week.

What did you try?
What did you enjoy?
What surprised you?

Today’s secret word is CHANGE.

Now put all five words together.

Comment the full sentence to unlock ...The Final Step!
about 2 months ago, Kanawha County Schools
student holding his hand up to show off a lanyard he received. Behind him, another student is showing off her lanyard to a friend that is not in the picture.
Side Quest #4 🎨

Create something from nothing.

✍️ Draw
🧑‍🎨 Paint
🧑‍🍳 Cook
💭 or anything else you can dream up!

Secret Word: Big
#KCSSideQuest
about 2 months ago, Kanawha County Schools
Student sitting at an art table. He is painting a white sheet of paper that is sitting in front of him. He is dipping his sponge brush into paint that has been squirted on to a paper plate.
Side Quest #3 🤝

Send a message of appreciation to someone who has made a difference in your life.

📝 Write a letter
📱 Send a text
☎️ Call

Secret Word: Make
#KCSSideQuest
about 2 months ago, Kanawha County Schools
student sitting at his desk with his hands together looking at the camera.
Side Quest #2 💥

⛹️‍♀️ Move for 20 minutes.
🛝 Anywhere.
🛹 Anytime.

Secret Word: Steps

#KCSSideQuest

about 2 months ago, Kanawha County Schools
A young student is clapping his hands. He is wearing a gold medal around his neck. The medal has the number 1 on it. Behind him adults are clapping and other students are wearing medals.
Side Quest #1 ✅

Try something new today.
Doesn't have to be big.
Just different.

🤫 Secret Word: Small

#KCSSideQuest
about 2 months ago, Kanawha County Schools
student yelling in celebration after learning what house he will be in for the school's reward system. In the background, the school principal has her hands up in celebration as well.
☀️ Quick Spring Break challenge.

Spring Break is here.

Which means two things:

⏰ No alarms.

💨 🐢 Time somehow moves both fast and slow at the same time.

So instead of letting the week just… disappear… we’re trying something simple.

Not homework.
Not a packet.
Not a 47-step challenge.

Just five small Side Quests.

One per day.
Quick. Doable. Anywhere.

Elementary, middle, high...everyone can play.

Each weekday we’ll post:
🔵 One Side Quest
🔵 One secret word
🔵 Zero pressure

Collect all five words and on Friday you’ll unlock the Main Quest.

No prizes.
No sign-ups.
Just bragging rights… and maybe a feature.

Spring Break starts Monday.

Let’s see who’s playing.

We’re also sharing a Side Quest Bingo board. Complete just one square or go for bingo and see how many you can check off this week. Which one will you try first?

Tag a friend, classmate, or family member who should try a Side Quest with you.

#KCSSideQuest
about 2 months ago, Kanawha County Schools
KCS Bingo Card.
🎒✨ Kindergarten starts with moments like this.

A little curiosity.
A little creativity.
And sometimes… a little mess.

If your child will be starting kindergarten this fall, Transition to Kindergarten Day is the perfect first step. Students and families will have the chance to visit their school, meet teachers, and start getting excited about the year ahead.

📅 Each elementary school has its own date and time.
Find your school’s Transition Day using the link in the comments.

✨ Tag a family getting ready for Kindergarten 2026!
about 2 months ago, Kanawha County Schools
A young student sitting at her school table, smiling at the camera, and has both of her arms in the air. Her arms and table are covered in shaving cream that was used for a writing lesson.