Ritchie County Schools

Reminder to Parents and Guardians:
5th grade transition camp is Tomorrow-Tuesday, July 28th from 8am-1pm.

We look forward to welcoming our new Blazers!

Good morning Ritchie County School district students and families! As our summer is coming to an end, here are the first days of school:

Grades 1st-12th: Thursday, August 13, 2026
Kindergarten: Monday, August 17, 2026
Preschool: Monday, August 24, 2026.

Open House will be August 11, 2026. Please watch for more information from individual schools.

We look forward to seeing all our students' smiling faces as we begin our new school year!

Reminder to Parents and Guardians: 5th grade transition camp is Tuesday, July 28th 8am-1pm. We look forward to welcoming our new Blazers!

Please join us in sending a huge congratulations to our newly elected Ritchie County School Board leadership! 👏 Torie Jackson – School Board President 👏 Misty Ingram-Keen – School Board Vice President We are incredibly excited for the vision, dedication, and leadership they will bring to our district as we continue to strive for excellence for all of our students, teachers, and community members. Thank you both for your continued commitment to Ritchie County Schools!

Making Memories at North Bend Outdoor Camp!

Our Ritchie County students have been busy exploring, learning, and growing at the North Bend Outdoor Camp! From hands-on nature activities to building team spirit, these students are making the most of their summer adventure.

We love seeing our students connect with the great outdoors and develop new skills that go far beyond the classroom. Take a look at some of the highlights from their time at camp! 🎒🦅✨

Happy 250th Birthday, America!

Today, Ritchie County Schools joins our community and the entire nation in celebrating a historic milestone—**250 years of freedom, unity, and independence!** From the classrooms where our students learn about the foundations of our country to the bright futures they are building for tomorrow, we are proud to shape the next generation of American leaders, thinkers, and citizens.

Thank you to the educators, families, and community members who work every day to keep the American dream alive right here in Ritchie County.

We wish everyone a safe, happy, and spectacular 4th of July filled with family, friends, and fireworks! 🎆❤️🤍💙

💙 **Happy Father’s Day from Ritchie County Schools!** 💙 Today, we celebrate all of the incredible fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, and father figures in our community. Thank you for being the ultimate coaches, the late-night homework helpers, the loudest cheerleaders in the stands, and the daily source of support for our students. The love, guidance, and dedication you pour into our kids shape who they are both inside and outside the classroom. We hope your day is filled with relaxation, family, and maybe a little less yard work than usual! Drop a photo or a shout-out to an amazing dad in the comments below to show them some love!

Save the Date: Welcome Class of 2030! 9th grade transition Monday, August 10, 2026 5-7PM. Please meet in the cafeteria at 5PM.

Reminder: Tomorrow, May 27, 2026 is the last day of school for students!

We have officially crossed the finish line of another incredible school year! Ritchie County Schools would like to thank our wonderful students, dedicated staff, and supportive families for making this year such a success.

We are so proud of everything our students have accomplished. Have a fun, safe, and relaxing summer vacation—we can't wait to see you back in August!

Ritchie County Schools would like to send a out a big congratulations to our boys track team on being State Runner Up! We are so proud of their hard work and dedication this season. Way to go Rebels!

Join us in congratulating Smithville Elementary for being featured in #WestVirginiaWonder, a video series from the West Virginia Department of Education, for achieving the highest math and English language arts performance on the 2025 Balanced Score are in the state! Casey Kerns explains, "We might be a small schools, but we are doing big things." To watch the full episode, watch for it on the WVDE Facebook page or follow this link: http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=U-x3xNyZHzE. Way to go Smithville Elementary staff, students, and families!

Join us on congratulating Smithville Elementary for being featured in #WestVirginiaWonder, video series from the West Virginia Department of Education, for achieving the highest math and English language arts performance on the 2025 Balanced Scorecard in the state! Casey Kerns explains, "We might be a small schools, but we are doing big things." To watch the full episode, watch for it to be features on the WVDE Facebook page or follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-x3xNyZHzE.

Way to go Smithville Elementary staff, students, and families!

Reminder:
No School- Tuesday May 12th, Election Day

🌸 Happy Mother’s Day from Ritchie County Schools! 🌸 To the moms, grandmothers, aunts, and guardians who make our Rebel community so special—thank you. Whether you are cheering from the sidelines, helping with late-night homework, or providing the steady support our students need to thrive, your impact is immeasurable. You are our students' first teachers and their biggest fans. Today, we celebrate the strength, patience, and love you pour into our kids every single day. We hope your Sunday is filled with the relaxation and appreciation you truly deserve! ❤️ Show some love! Drop a photo or a shout-out to a special mom in our district in the comments below! 👇 #RitchieCountySchools #MothersDay2026 #WVEd

State Social Studies Fair Results:

Sydneigh White, CCES, received Honorable Mention

Brody Collins and Jaycee Campbell, RCMS, received 3rd place for their project

Incredibly proud of all of students who participated and the ones who placed! Great job!

Kindergarten Registration is open!
Ritchie County Schools is excited to announce Kindergarten Registration for the 2026–2027 School Year!
Registration Opens: Now Open
Save the Date: Friday, May 15, 2026
Children must be five (5) years old before July 1, 2026 to register for Kindergarten
Plan Ahead! Be sure to have:
• State Certified Birth Certificate
• Mandatory Vaccines
• Dental Exam (within past 12 months)
• Well Child Exam (within past 12 months)
• Student Social Security Card
• Parent Identification
• Completed Registration Packet
Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit ritchieschools.com to register
Or call 304-643-2991 ext. 109 or 110
Once families are registered, families will be contacted by the school to provide further information.
We can’t wait to welcome our newest learners to Ritchie County Schools!

Celebrating Excellence in Ritchie County Schools! We are incredibly proud to announce our 2027 District Award Winners! These outstanding individuals go above and beyond every single day to support our students, our families, and our community. Please join us in congratulating: 🌟 Teacher of the Year Samantha Lamp– Ritchie County High School For your passion in the classroom, your dedication to student growth, and your ability to inspire the next generation of Rebels. 🏆 Principal of the Year Casey Kerns– Smithville Elementary School For your visionary leadership, your commitment to a positive school culture, and your unwavering support of both staff and students. 🛠️ Service Personnel of the Year Bobbie Watson– Custodian, HES For being the backbone of our district. Whether it’s keeping our schools safe, clean, fed, or running smoothly, your hard work does not go unnoticed! "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." — Nelson Mandela We are honored to have these three representing the very best of Ritchie County. Thank you for your heart, your hustle, and your commitment to continue our growth and learning at Ritchie County Schools! Drop a comment below to help us celebrate their amazing achievement! #RitchieCountySchools #TeacherOfTheYear #ServicePersonnelOfTheYear #PrincipalOfTheYear

Ritchie County Schools would like to wish our Social Studies Fair participants good luck as they compete in the State Social Studies Fair today! Good Luck Sydneigh White (CCES), Hadley Beck (CCES), Jaycee Campbell, and Brody Collins (RCMS)!

Beep beep! It’s School Bus Driver Appreciation Day, and we want to take a moment to celebrate the dedicated professionals who are the first to greet our students in the morning and the last to see them safely home.

Our drivers navigate early hours, all types of weather, and miles of winding roads to ensure our kids get to school ready to learn. They are more than just drivers; they are mentors, friendly faces, and a vital part of our Ritchie County Schools family.

Please join us in saying a huge THANK YOU to our incredible bus drivers! Drop a comment below to shout out your favorite driver or share a story of how they’ve made a difference for your family.

#SchoolBusDriverAppreciationDay #RitchieCountySchools #SafetyFirst #ThankADriver