📣 Attention Parents of Juniors & Select Seniors
During the state testing window March 23–April 17, 2026, all juniors and identified seniors will participate in the WIN Career Readiness Assessment—an important opportunity for students to demonstrate career readiness and potentially earn a nationally recognized credential.
The assessment measures real-world skills in math, reading, data, and essential soft skills that align with the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. Each school will share specific testing dates and times, and it’s important that students are present on their assigned testing day.
📄 Please take a moment to review the full letter linked below for details about:
• Who is testing
• What the assessment includes
• How scores and credentials are earned
• Who to contact with questions
The full letter can be found here: https://aptg.co/zFJ_vd
Thank you for supporting your student as they prepare for this important milestone!
During the state testing window March 23–April 17, 2026, all juniors and identified seniors will participate in the WIN Career Readiness Assessment—an important opportunity for students to demonstrate career readiness and potentially earn a nationally recognized credential.
The assessment measures real-world skills in math, reading, data, and essential soft skills that align with the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. Each school will share specific testing dates and times, and it’s important that students are present on their assigned testing day.
📄 Please take a moment to review the full letter linked below for details about:
• Who is testing
• What the assessment includes
• How scores and credentials are earned
• Who to contact with questions
The full letter can be found here: https://aptg.co/zFJ_vd
Thank you for supporting your student as they prepare for this important milestone!
360 Academy featured in district's Bits & Bytes Newsletter for February 2026
Educator Insights: 360 Academy Teachers using Discovery Education Career Connect
During the month of January, PCVA’s 360 Academy focused on different careers and pathways. Students were able to tour the Pickens County Career and Technology Center, as well as complete a hands-on experience with the in house Logistic class. To highlight our exploration, we expanded outside of the classroom and invited two professionals to speak with us using Discovery Education’s Career Connect.
We used Career Connect to find volunteers of different fields to virtually speak to our students about their background, education, and current careers. We were able to get two incredible individuals to speak with us. We met an amazing archaeologist from Columbia, SC working with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. She introduced us to interesting happenings around the state. We also met a scientist from San Francisco working with cellular development and discovery. Both were very professional and were able to relate to the students and their questions.
The usage is very easy. You narrow the list of volunteer opportunities by topic and use the provided template to request their time. You receive a confirmation email once they accept or defer. There is an opportunity to connect with the speaker prior to the presentation via chat to make requests or introduce yourself. This is all done virtually, so you do need to be comfortable using Webex that is provided throughout the district. There are other resources to utilize throughout the site to further expand your experience prior and post presentations. There are even prerecorded spotlights of different topics and fields. This is an amazing opportunity that we will be repeating again in the future with our students.
Educator Insights: 360 Academy Teachers using Discovery Education Career Connect
During the month of January, PCVA’s 360 Academy focused on different careers and pathways. Students were able to tour the Pickens County Career and Technology Center, as well as complete a hands-on experience with the in house Logistic class. To highlight our exploration, we expanded outside of the classroom and invited two professionals to speak with us using Discovery Education’s Career Connect.
We used Career Connect to find volunteers of different fields to virtually speak to our students about their background, education, and current careers. We were able to get two incredible individuals to speak with us. We met an amazing archaeologist from Columbia, SC working with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. She introduced us to interesting happenings around the state. We also met a scientist from San Francisco working with cellular development and discovery. Both were very professional and were able to relate to the students and their questions.
The usage is very easy. You narrow the list of volunteer opportunities by topic and use the provided template to request their time. You receive a confirmation email once they accept or defer. There is an opportunity to connect with the speaker prior to the presentation via chat to make requests or introduce yourself. This is all done virtually, so you do need to be comfortable using Webex that is provided throughout the district. There are other resources to utilize throughout the site to further expand your experience prior and post presentations. There are even prerecorded spotlights of different topics and fields. This is an amazing opportunity that we will be repeating again in the future with our students.
Is there a PCVA or 360 Academy teacher who has gone an extra mile or two for you? If so, use Valentine's Day as an opportunity to send a quick message of appreciation. Or, post a comment on our social media!
I-Ready testing is coming up!
Tuesday, 11/18, at GMS and PMS w/DMS
Thursday, 11/20, at RCE and LMS
See your advisor or your teacher for more information! We are looking forward to seeing the amazing growth our students will show since we started this school year in August. Teachers will share more information and reminders in Advisory sessions next week. Anyone who is absent from testing will need to contact your advisor on Friday, 11/21.
360 Academy is accepting applications for new students for Semester 2 with a January 6 start date. Apply now or read more information at https://bit.ly/3WOW9Zt .
The AWS outage is impacting some of the applications and programs we use for 360 Academy and Pickens County Virtual Academy. You may find these to be temporary issues. Wait 10-15 minutes and try again. You may also find it helpful to directly access websites.
https://launchpad.classlink.com/pickens
https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/schoology
https://virtualsc.org
This is not a Pickens County issue, so you do not need to submit an Incident IQ or notify your teachers. They are having some of your same difficulties this morning. Keep trying, though. We've found some systems are up and others are not at times.
https://launchpad.classlink.com/pickens
https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/schoology
https://virtualsc.org
This is not a Pickens County issue, so you do not need to submit an Incident IQ or notify your teachers. They are having some of your same difficulties this morning. Keep trying, though. We've found some systems are up and others are not at times.
Students in 360 Academy have extra opportunities to learn through experiences. We hope each student has the opportunity to participate in at least one of our fall field trips!
We're looking forward to our trip to the library on Friday, September 26. Return your permission forms to advisors as soon as possible! See your Schoology group for more information.
It's almost time to begin thinking about school supplies for next year. Primarily, virtual students need their Chromebooks, their chargers, and their Tech It Home Fees paid by July 24. Other than that, our students have shared some items that make their lives easier as virtual students: a wireless or wired mouse, headphones/earbuds, notebooks and paper, pencils, pens, highlighters, index cards, post it notes, an external monitor/portable monitor, and printer. Those last two are extras but nice to have if all of your coursework is virtual.
Testing begins this week for students in Pickens County Virtual Academy and 360 Academy of Careers and Innovation. Check your courses and messages from your teachers for important information about your testing dates, times, and locations.
PCVA High School Exams are just around the corner. Check in your child's course and communication from the teacher for more important information about testing.
Are you interested in a potentially FREE Summer STEM Camp for rising 6th-8th Grade Students? Apply today!
The Governor's School for Science and Mathematics in conjunction with the Technical College system will hold summer day camps all around the state.
Due to generous donors, many of your students can attend camp at no cost to their families or to their school district. Please find attached a flyer specific to the GoSciTech Day Camp to be held at Tri-County Technical College Pendleton Campus June 9-12, 2025.
In order to be participate, students must hold a minimum B average. The deadline to apply is May 15, 2025. Please apply as soon as possible to take advantage of this opportunity.
Did you know that PCVA can help support your high school course pathway next year? If not, PCVA teachers will be on campus at DHS during all lunch periods on Thursday, April 3. Stop by their table with questions or even to complete your application.
PCVA High School teachers will be at LHS on Wednesday, April 2, during all lunches to talk with students about how PCVA courses can support their plans for next school year. Drop by the table and ask your questions! Teachers will be there to help you with the application, too!
Are you searching for a different style of learning for middle school next year? Our 360 Academy of Careers and Innovation may be just for you. Apply today through June 1 and engage through experiential learning, collaboration with peers, leadership development, grade level learning with SC Certified educators right here in Pickens County, and in-person learning opportunities!
Join us during lunch today at EHS to talk with PCVA teachers about how our courses can support your schedule next year.
Join our PCVA teachers on Tuesday, April 1, as they visit PHS during lunch to share with students how PCVA courses can support their course selections for next school year. See you at lunch!
Are you ready to be a part of something different for middle school? If so, explore 360 Academy of Careers and Innovation! We're now accepting applications and want you to be a part of this incredible program. Apply today! https://bit.ly/3CIApIw
Today, we celebrate the incredible men and women who ensure our students travel safely to and from school each day. It's SC Bus Driver Appreciation Day, and we want to say THANK YOU to our SDPC bus drivers and assistants!
To truly capture the impact of our drivers, we spent time riding along on routes and speaking with two of our dedicated drivers—experiencing firsthand the joy, care, and commitment they bring to their work.
🎥 Watch our special tribute video here: https://youtu.be/omM_SDLXcM0
We know that many of you are starting to think about options for your students for next school year. Our middle school program is a hybrid learning opportunity that has a blend of both in-person and virtual learning. Students engage in team-building, develop collaboration skills, investigate, create, and question. It is a great opportunity for students needing something more than a traditional middle school education. Join us online on February 20 to learn more about this program. Sign up to receive the link for the meeting by email on the day of the program.
