ACS Index AUGUST 2026

Warrior Day…Institute…First Day of School! August was one big blur.

Our students, families, employees, and community partners have come together as always to make the return to school as smooth as possible. It's the result of months of planning on many fronts. Many of our faculty and staff engage in professional development during the summer. From classroom teachers to CNP associates, our team goes the extra mile to ensure students receive the best education possible. This momentum delivers results. When Alabaster City Schools was formed, promises were made. Promises have been kept. Now, we see Promises in Action! Newly-released scores from the ACAP Reading Subtest show that ACS is among the best in the state for 3rd grade reading. We are 16th out of 139 school systems and FOURTH in metro Birmingham! I couldn’t be prouder of this academic growth and success. Sharing the Top 4 with districts like Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, and Trussville reflects the high caliber of the company we keep and shows how we are building champions at every level. Driven by our incredible educators, staff, administrators, and the vision of our entire community, our district-wide academic investments are clearly paying off! We’ve built incredible momentum in other areas, too, earning national recognition from Corwin for our Visible Learning efforts and expanding our Telo AI robot program across all schools following a successful spring pilot. Read more about both stories below.

Fall is in full swing across our district—from academics to the arts and athletics. As our students showcase their talents, I encourage everyone to show their support. Thank you for all you do in our shared mission to build Champions of Our Future!

L. Wayne Vickers, Ed.D.

Superintendent

From Promises Made...to Promises Kept...to...Promises in Action - Alabaster City Schools' annual Institute welcomed all employees to the new academic year in high-energy fashion. Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers keynoted Institute, whose theme - Promises in Action - showcased the many reasons why ACS excels across academics, the arts, athletics, and more. Board of Education members, city leaders, community partners, and others were on hand for the event, which packed out the Thompson High School Performing Arts Center. Read coverage from the Shelby County Reporter and see more photos from ACS Institute 2026.

September is officially recognized by the Alabama State Board of Education as Attendance Awareness Month, highlighting our statewide commitment to keeping students present and engaged. State data shows that missing just two or three days a month—whether excused or unexcused—creates critical learning gaps that impact academic success. While our primary goal is to partner with families to overcome attendance barriers, Alabama law also sets strict legal guidelines regarding unexcused absences. When unexcused absences accumulate, state truancy laws require school districts to involve the judicial system, which can result in court appearances for parents. To better understand why daily attendance matters from both an educational and legal perspective, please watch this brief video from Shelby County District Court Judge Erin Welborn.

History has been made in Alabaster City Schools as Thompson High School and Thompson Middle School become the very first in Alabama to earn national recognition as Corwin Visible Learning Associate Schools. Grounded in research-backed instructional methods, this prestigious designation celebrates how local educators empower students to actively evaluate, understand, and own their learning process. The district's groundbreaking success even took center stage at a national conference in Nashville in July, where ACS leaders showcased their evidence-based blueprint for classroom transformation. Read the full story to discover how these pioneering schools are setting a new statewide standard for student achievement.

True educational leadership isn't about waiting for the perfect scenario—it’s about bringing a genuine heart for service to wherever you are called to lead. That's the message of our very own Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers, who was interviewed by District Administration for their “A Good Lesson” podcast. Dr. Vickers shares wisdom from his decades in education, the last twenty as superintendent. He offers crucial advice for aspiring district leaders on overcoming setbacks, casting aside preconceived notions, and relying on strong support systems. Check out the full article and podcast episode to discover how top superintendents create impactful change and land exactly where they belong.

New for this school year, Alabaster City Schools offers FREE BREAKFAST FOR ALL STUDENTS. This is possible due to the district's connection to the Universal Breakfast program, supported by funding from the Alabama School Breakfast Grant. The initiative provides every student access to a nutritious meal each school day regardless of income eligibility, aiming to support academic achievement, improve focus, and reduce financial burdens on local families. Click the button below for more on free breakfast (including free/reduced price lunch applications). Also, check out coverage from the Shelby County Reporter.

Following a successful pilot program, four additional Telo AI robots have arrived in Alabaster City Schools. ACS was one of only five educational institutions nationwide selected to receive the 2025 Telo AI Immersive Language Learning MicroGrant, which provides personalized, voice-based practice for English Learners as well as students studying Spanish and other languages. Rather than doing work for students, Telo embodies responsible AI by requiring learners to actively speak, listen, and practice while adapting to their individual needs. Crucially, the platform prioritizes student privacy—never retaining audio, transcripts, or images on its servers or using data to train AI models—giving educators a secure tool that expands classroom capacity while keeping teachers in control. See more on the ACS Telo AI robot rollout and coverage from ABC 33/40.

What started as a fun kitchen activity for 10-year-old Jayce Hamilton, a Thompson Intermediate School fifth-grader, has transformed him into a published author. Inspired by his passion for cooking, Jayce wrote and illustrated Chef Earl, a heartwarming story about a man chasing his culinary dreams. He went above and beyond in a local young writers' competition by submitting a fully completed manuscript, earning him the grand prize of having his book published on Amazon. Read more on Jayce Hamilton's literary journey.

The Thompson Middle School Symphonic Band has been invited to perform at the 2027 Alabama Music Educators Association Conference. As one of only two middle school bands selected statewide, TMS is celebrating its second invitation in five years and the third consecutive year an instrumental ensemble from Alabaster City Schools has earned this prestigious honor. The performance will take place Thursday, January 21, 2027, at 7:00 p.m. in the Sheraton Ballroom connected to the BJCC. See more on the AMEA 2027 Professional Development Conference.

Thompson High School has once again earned a spot in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best High Schools rankings, highlighting the academic momentum of Alabaster City Schools. This national distinction evaluates institutions across key metrics, including high graduation rates, state assessment performance, and access to college-preparatory coursework. The achievement reflects the dedicated efforts of Alabaster students, educators, and staff who continuously strive for educational excellence. Securing a position on this prestigious list reinforces Thompson High School's reputation as a top public high school in Alabama and a point of pride for the local community. See a detailed report on the 2026 Best High Schools.

The ACS Champions Craft Academy now enters its second full year of operation. In doing so, it's adding more programs, more students, and more connections with local industry. HVAC and Plumbing join existing programs, which allows for more students to be a part of CCA during the school day. This year's enrollment has swelled to approximately 300 students, up from 180 last year. THS Career Coaches Katie Cardwell and Thomas Sherfield shared exciting news at the start of this school year. Cardwell was awarded the 2026 ALACTE Counseling and Career Development Award and Sherfield was named to the upcoming Leadership Shelby County Class of 2027. We congratulate these outstanding employees who continually seek ways to better serve students. Learn more about the CCA.

2026-2027 is definitely underway at both ACS elementary schools: Creek View Elementary and Meadow View Elementary. Both buzz with energy, learning, and community spirit! Each school serves PreK-3 and remains dedicated to maintaining high standards of academic excellence, creating supportive environments where every student can grow and succeed. Staying connected with campus life is easier than ever—be sure to review weekly updates sent via Smore newsletters, communicate directly with teachers through the ROOMS app, and check social media for highlights and announcements. You can follow both schools via the CVES website and/or Facebook page and the MVES website and/or Facebook page.

• Field to Future: ACS student lands summer internship at Oak Mtn State Park
• Institute 2026 Photo Album
• Warriors Football Fall 2026 Schedule
• Warriors Volleyball Fall 2026 Schedule
• Warriors Flag Football Fall 2026 Schedule
• Alabaster Health Fair draws hundreds to THS

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