September 2023

Message from the Principal:

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I am excited to share that Alexander Central High School has achieved a "B" Letter Grade on our school report card for the second year in a row. For the 2022-2023 school year, we met expected growth. True to form, we remain one of the highest performing traditional high schools in our region. Please join me in congratulating our students and staff for their hard work and efforts to make academic progress in a post-pandemic system.

Beginning the first week of school, I had the pleasure of meeting with each grade level individually to share some reminders for the 2023-2024 school year concerning academic and behavior expectations. More specifically, I discussed getting involved on campus, attendance and class credits, taking pride in the school, and balancing academics, extracurriculars, and social calendars. Overall, the first few weeks of school were a success on many levels. We are blessed to have great students and excellent educators who go above and beyond each day. They constantly rise to the occasion, meeting the needs of our students on so many levels.

As we start the school year, I would like to offer the following reminders to parents and students:

• Please follow the student dress code shared below and in the ACHS Student Handbook. 

• Daily attendance is critical to your student's academic success. Missing just 2 days a month means that they will miss 10% of the school year.

• Breakfast and lunch are free for all students. 

• We ask that parents consider not signing their student out during their 25 minute lunch period. Lunch falls within 3rd block. Therefore, on many occasions, when students arrives back on campus, they are tardy when returning back to 3rd block.

In closing, thank you so much for your continued support of Alexander Central High School. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve your students and this great community. 

#BLUECOLLARGOLDSTANDARDS

Warm regards,

Jacob Lail

Principal, ACHS

Digital Citizenship - ACS Monthly Parent Newsletter

Click HERE to access the September newsletter.

Important Reminders

• Alexander County Schools Dress Code Policy- 

At all times, student's dress should be appropriate, modest, and clean. Shoes are to be worn in school at all times. All dress codes apply to male and female students.

Shirts and blouses: Must have at least 2 to 3 inches of fabric at the shoulder area and must not have low armholes.

Shorts, skirts, and dresses: Must be of modest length (fingertip length).

Pants: All pants, shorts, etc. are to be worn at the waist at all times. Holes in pants are allowed only if the holes are below the students’ fingertips when their arms are at their side.

Visible body piercing: Students are prohibited from wearing body piercings which may be considered a safety issue or interfere with student's learning.

Slogans, pictures, logos, symbols, etc.: Students may not wear clothing/jewelry that displays anything vulgar; displays sexual references, any weapons that promote violence, racial comments, gang markings; or makes reference to alcohol, tobacco, or a controlled substance advertisement.

Disruptive Clothing: Any other clothing that teachers and/or administrators deem as disruptive is not allowed.

PE and Fitness Classes: Students are expected to follow the dress code established by the Physical Education/Athletic Department.

These items should NOT be worn in school unless on specifically designated promotional days by the principal; and enforcement applies to both male and female students.

• Halter, spaghetti-strap, single-strap, or strapless clothing without appropriate cover

• Bare midriff and bareback tops

• Revealing low-cut tops that expose any portion of private body parts 

• See-through clothing - unless layered to meet appropriate dress code standards 

• Exposed undergarments

• Pajamas

• Slashed or cut-up clothing - private parts cannot be exposed

• Hats, bandanas, hoods, and headgear of any kind - unless part of a uniform, for religious reasons or special events

• Shoes with wheels or bedroom slippers

• Gloves, bracelets, and necklaces with any metal spikes or brads, chokers, and dog collars

• Chains or jewelry that may be used as a weapon, cause injury, or hinder movement

• Hair curlers, pick/combs

• Dark glasses worn within the building – medical exceptions will be honored

• Trench coats and costumes with cloaks and capes

• No face paint

• Academic Calendar- Click here for the 2023-2024 Alexander County Schools Academic Calendar.

• Progress Reports-  Progress reports will be sent home with students on the following dates:

  • •   9/19, 10/10, 11/7, 11/28, 1/30, 2/20, 3/12, 4/16, 5/7

• Senior Parent Night- September 19th from 5:30-6:30 PM in the ACHS Cafeteria

• College Fair- All Day on September 22nd in the Varsity Gymnasium

• Yearbooks are on Sale Now!- Click HERE for more information.

• High School Attendance Policy-  Students missing (9) or more days in a semester-long class will not receive credit for the course unless the student makes a 70 or higher on the EOC, CTE State Assessment, and/or teacher-made exam and earns a passing grade (60) for the course.

• Exam Exemption- Students may earn the opportunity to be exempted from final exams each semester in classes NOT giving an EOC or CTE exam by meeting the following attendance requirements:

Final Grade # of absences (excused and unexcused) 

A 4 or less

B 3 or less

C 2 or less

Students will be marked absent if they are exempt from exams and choose to be absent from school for the exam.  If students do not want absences showing on their final transcripts, they must come for exams. Any student that is suspended Out-of-School is not eligible for exam exemption. Students cannot make up time to be eligible for exemption from any exam.  

• ACT - For ALL 11th Graders on February 27th.

• Prom - Moretz Mill in Hickory on May 11th, 7:00-11:00 PM

• FFA Banquet- In the ACHS Cafeteria on Thursday, May 16th. Time TBD.

• Honors Graduation Ceremony- This ceremony will be held on May 19th at 3:00 PM in the auditorium.

• Scholarship Ceremony-  This ceremony will be held on May 24th at 8:30 AM in the auditorium 

• Awards Day- This event will be held on May 24th in the gymnasium. Time TBD

• Important Graduation Update- The class of 2024 Commencement Date is Friday, June 7th at 7:00 PM in the football stadium. Graduation practice is scheduled for 1:00 PM on Thursday, June 6th. Practice is required for all seniors planning to walk.