Flora Update
The Latest News and Information from AC Flora High School
Upcoming Events
Friday, September 25- Early Dismissal 11:45 a.m.
Saturday, September 26- Homecoming Dance
Monday, September 28- Friday, October 2- Homecoming Week
Thursday, October 8- End of 1st Quarter
Thursday, October 8- Early Dismissal 11:45 a.m./Parent Teacher Conferences - more info TBA
Friday, October 9- Teacher Workday
Monday, October 12 and 13- Underclassmen Picture Days
Wednesday, October 14- Richland One Consolidated Fair (Juniors and Seniors-more info below)
Tuesday, October 20- PSAT (10/11) and Pre-ACT (9) more info TBA
Homecoming Dance Tickets
Our Homecoming Dance will be Saturday, September 26, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the Upper Gym. This event is for A.C. Flora students only. A current A.C. Flora ID is required. Tickets are $16.
Please click here to purchase tickets.
26-27 Yearbook Sales
Go to jostens.com/ybbuy to place your order for the 2026-2027 yearbook! Prices increase on November 20, so order yours today!
From the Counseling Office
Upcoming college and career visits:
College room in guidance (Flight Time)
Tuesday, September 29: Davidson College
Friday, October 2: Columbia International University
Tuesday, October 6: Wofford College
Please see the latest Scholarship Update.
Please see this useful list of Scholarship Websites for the 26-27 school year.
Are you going to be a teacher?
There will be two Zoom info sessions available for students and parents interested in applying for the Teaching Fellows program. These sessions will share application information and answer questions about the Teaching Fellows opportunity.
These sessions are only available to students graduating this spring (2027).
The two Zoom sessions will be:
September 29, 2026 - 7 p.m.
November 17, 2026 - 7 p.m.
The Zoom link is: https://zoom.us/j/93619670892
Major Knowledge Pilot Program
The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education is offering the Major Knowledge Pilot Program, a virtual initiative designed to help high school students explore college majors, learn about different fields of study, and gain insight into programs offered at participating institutions.
Register for the upcoming sessions:
October 14: Finance, Real Estate, and Business Management
October 21: Plumbing/HVAC and Industrial Engineering
October 22: Plumbing/HVAC and Industrial Engineering
Time: 5 - 5:45 PM
Students can learn more and register here:
Major Knowledge Registration
Clemson Career Workshop
Clemson University is looking for 10th-grade students nationwide who are high-achieving, interested in attending Clemson University, and eager to gain early exposure to Clemson as they prepare for the college admissions process.
The Clemson Career Workshop is a two-year college preparation and Clemson recruitment program. Students begin the summer before their junior year and participate in two summer experiences at Clemson, along with academic-year programming through high school graduation. Throughout the experience, students explore college-level academics, career pathways, the college application process, and life at Clemson.
- Application Window: September 15–January 1
- Who: Current 10th-grade students nationwide
- Application Link
Any student who is interested may apply. See flyer below.
Richland One Consolidated College and Career Fair
Richland One is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for your seniors and juniors! The Richland One Consolidated Fair - ED OP 2026 (College Fair) will be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Students will be transported to and from the event by Richland One transportation.
All forms need to be returned to the counseling office no later than Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
Please click HERE for the permission form. Paper copies: main office and the counseling office.
Registration info:
StriveScan allows real-time collaboration with college and career representatives at the event. Participating students will need to create their own accounts by clicking HERE. Once your account is created, students will gain access to a 4-digit code and then will get a unique QR code that will be scanned by each college/career representative. For additional assistance with this process, please contact your school counselor.
Representatives will provide information on the admissions process, scholarships, and other financial assistance. We encourage all junior and senior participants to come prepared to explore the possibilities for future success beyond high school.
Click HERE for a list of participating colleges.
FAFSA Night Follow Up
We were so excited to have so many of you attend the FAFSA Information on Tuesday. Please click here for the presentation on our Scholarships page. Save the date! FAFSA completion night will be on Wednesday, October 21, at 6 p.m. in the library.
Interested in joining FCA?
Anyone in Fellowship of Christian Athletes should contact Coach Thompson at jacob.thompson@richlandone.org.
Graduation Supplies and Class Rings
The deadline to order graduation supplies (seniors) and class rings (juniors) is Thursday, October 1. Please use the QR code if you'd like to receive updates from Jostens.
Girls State Strength Meet
When: November 7, 2026
Where: Most likely Lexington HS. But TBD - The association has not made it public yet.
What happens: Girls compete within their AGE and WEIGHT class in the Bench Press, Squat and Broad Jump exercises. See photos below.
In order to compete: Email Coach Rumsey at ian.rumsey@richlandone.org. You will need to take home and complete permission slips as well.
From Flora Athletics:
New website!
Flora Athletics has a new home!
Please visit and bookmark:
https://floraathletics.arbiterwebsites.com/
To buy Falcon gear, see My Team Shop.
From the PTSO:
Tissue Box Donations
As the fall—and cold—season are upon us, AC Flora has asked the PTSO to assist with collecting Kleenex and other tissue for use during school hours to help with those runny noses. If you are willing to donate, please bring boxes to the front office. Thank you!
Apply for Teacher Grants from AC Flora PTSO
AC Flora’s PTSO is pleased to offer teacher grants again this year. Applications are due October 9 to Elizabeth Beasley, PTSO Academic Excellence chair. The PTSO will review applications and reward a total of $4,000 in grants. If you have questions, contact Elizabeth Beasley at eibeasley@gmail.com.
Find out more about AC Flora’s PTSO
PTSO members are welcome to attend the PTSO board meeting if they want to know more about what the board does and how the PTSO contributes to the school environment and experience. The next meeting will be Monday, September 28, at 5:30 p.m. in the AC Flora Media Center.
Join the AC Flora PTSO
To join and support the PTSO’s ongoing efforts in the AC Flora community, please click on the following links:
Friends and Family Memberships
https://www.acfptso.org/membership
Business Partners
As a Business Partner, you can promote your business to the large AC Flora community throughout the whole school year. All donations are tax deductible.
https://www.acfptso.org/business-partners
Stay in the know about your student’s grade level.
For each grade level at AC Flora, the PTSO hosts a GroupMe in which the PTSO’s grade representatives will post and circulate information about events and activities for that grade.
To get added to your student’s grade level GroupMe, please click here.
2026-2027 PTSO Donors:
Falcon’s Pride ($500 or more)
Josh and Martha McCain
Kenzie and Ryan Newton
Sarah and Harrison Penn
Falcon’s Flight ($250)
Stephan and Rachael Ardis
Aaron and Katie Barthel
Nicholas and Elizabeth Beasley
Shaun and Courtney Blake
Tommy and Missy Boggs
Nick and Heyward Bonyata
Susan Childs
Edward and Molley Clarkson
Stephen and Lindsay Creech
Shaun and Allison Cranford
Brian and Lauren Cunningham
Stephen and Townes Denemark
Alex and Sarah Dillard
Jay and Jackie Edwards
Ryan and Kelly Foster
Ryan and Melissa Gentry
Patrick and Leslie Gibbons
Shelton and Elizabeth Haile
Kyle and Meredeth Hewett
Sara Svedberg Homewood
Scott and Ashley Jaillette
Carter and Elizabeth Jeffords
Andrew and Jennifer MacLeod
Jonathan and Cydney Milling
Preston and Louisa Sabalis
Stephen and Liza Sansbury
Kevin and Anna Shalkham
Zac and Carmen Thomas
Bill and Rebecca Warren
Benefactors ($100)
Tom and Kim Andrews
Blair and Erin Baldwin
Jonathan and Kelly Barbrey
Wendy Bauman
Ed and Elizabeth Black
Rob and Danielle Boysen
Tim and Courtney Brooks
Blake and Ashlee Buchanan
Jason and Talyse Burkett
Travis and Elizabeth Burt
Gary and Celeste Carnaggio
Walt and Marianna Cartin
Erik and Nicole Crook
Eric and Laura Curbo
Andrew and Christin Daniel
Brunson and Emily DePass
LJ and Kat Dragner
Antione and Kalenia Frederick
Scott and Raven Gambrell
Michael and Mundi George
Will and Lauren Gillespie
John and Megan Harrison
Ian and Emily Hancock
Mike and Suzy Hanes
Michael and Jessica Haught
Dave and Kristin Heydt
Todd and Amanda Hicks
Shannon and Gretchen Hope
Harry and Kelly Hoppman
Rocky and Eveleigh Hughey
George and Elizabeth Hutton
Oz and Elise Ince
Kenn and Ginny Jameson
Tom and Victoria Juran
Richard and Kalen Kloskey
Kent and Nan Krieg
Spann and Elizabeth Laffitte
JP and Clark Lee
Jim and Angie Lichty
Deonne and Kristen Long
Jon and Erica Ludovina
Glenn and Elisa Lumpkin
Denny and Elizabeth Major
Marwan Marzagao
Phil Muhlenkamp and Laura Nolting
Michael Mareska and Tara Powell
Mark and Lori Mauldin
Keith and Kelly McCook
Jamie and Monica McCutcheon
Terry and Kristy Moore
Dale and Kerri Ness
Chris and Jenny O’Neill
Drew and Adriane Radeker
Hal and Melissa Ray
Ricky and Kristie Rowe
Stephen and Amy Scott
Mary Catherine Scouten
Andy and Christy Slaughter
Jamie and Oakley Smyth
Bart and Rachel Snyder
Will and Ashley Thomas
Patrick and Shawn Toole
Justin and Kate Vaughan
Laura and Chad Voyles
Aaron Jasnow and Kristy Welshhans
John Lavigne and Sheryl Wiskur
Michael and Mandy Wren
2026-27 Business Donors
Falcon Platinum
Forest Acres Needlepoint
Falcon Gold
Brabham Griffin Insurance
brabhamgriffin.com
Sumter Utilities, Inc.
Falcon Silver
Andrews Law Office
Border States
HLJ Creative
JHV Travel
Johnson & Lesley
McKenzie & Lybrand
Milliken Properties
Milling Law Firm
millinglaw.net
Peace of Mind
Purpose Equity Group
Tara A. Leaphart, Attorney at Law, LLC
taraleaphartlaw.com
Falcon Bronze
Ace Glass
Camp, Moring & Brendle, LLC
Lipscomb Auto Sales
lipscombautosales.com
Lipscomb Stump Grinding
lipscombstumpgrinding.com
Sandhills Pediatrics
www.sandhillsped.com
Contact Us
Email: jennifer.collins@richlandone.org
Website: https://www.richlandone.org/Domain/45
Location: 1 Falcon Drive, Columbia, SC, USA
Phone: 803-738-7300
Instagram: @acflorahigh