Ben Franklin Career Center

05/28/2026

+215 for the Thundering Herd 💚

🦬 Through the KCS–Marshall University direct admission partnership, 215 KCS seniors in the Class of 2026 were directly admitted to Marshall University...with no application and no fees.

This is one more way KCS is working to connect students with options that support their goals after graduation. We’re grateful to Marshall University for this partnership that removes college admission barriers for students and families.

We are excited to continue the direct admit program with Marshall and are working to add additional universities around the state.

🎓 Congratulations to these students and every student who earned their KCS diploma this year. We can't wait to see where your path takes you next!

05/27/2026

https://www.applitrack.com/kanawha/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Vocational+%2f+Career+Education

05/26/2026

Families of students who receive special education services may soon receive the Indicator 8 Parent Survey from the West Virginia Department of Education.

If your family is selected to participate, we encourage you to please take a few minutes to complete the survey and share honest feedback about your experience.

This survey gives families an important opportunity to provide input on communication, collaboration, and support. Your feedback helps schools and districts better understand what is working well and where improvements can be made.

Thank you for taking the time to share your voice and help support continued growth for students and families across Kanawha County Schools.

05/20/2026

☀️🍔 KCS Summer Meals available for children ages 2–18 through the WVDE and USDA Summer Food Service Program for Children.

This summer, in partnership with the WVDE and USDA Summer Food Program for Children, 10 sites across Kanawha County will offer breakfast and/or lunch during specific dates and times. Families do not need to register for those open meal sites...children can come during the posted meal time.

🔵 Meals are for children ages 2-18

KCS will also offer a separate meal box pickup program at two USDA-approved locations. Registration is required for meal box pickup, and the meal box form is now live. The registration link will be in the comments of this post, and is available on our website.

Full schedules, locations, meal times, and meal box registration details are available on the KCS website.

05/18/2026

🚀 AI, coding, cybersecurity, and....Minecraft?

The West Virginia Department of Education, in partnership with Prodigy Learning and Microsoft, is offering the AI Ready Skills Credential Program to middle and high schools across West Virginia at no cost.

The program gives students a chance to build foundational skills in artificial intelligence, coding, and cybersecurity while working through Minecraft Education worlds and earning credentials that show what they know.

This opportunity also includes free access to Coding in Minecraft and Cyber in Minecraft, along with professional development options for teachers.

KCS is sharing this information to help make sure our families, students, and educators are aware of this statewide opportunity.

05/15/2026

👏💫 A board meeting full of good moments and well-deserved recognition.

Last night, we had the chance to celebrate some incredible people across Kanawha County Schools, including our 2026 Teacher of the Year, Service Person of the Year, Counselor of the Year, Principal of the Year and Educator of the Year.

We also recognized our elementary Teachers of the Third Nine Weeks and 12 outstanding eighth grade students who earned the 2026 Golden Horseshoe.

From classrooms and counseling offices to school leadership, service roles and student achievement, these moments are a great reminder of the people who make KCS special. ❤️💙💚

🤗 Congratulations to all who were honored. We are proud to celebrate you!

05/14/2026

Congratulations to Jon Duffy, KCS Executive Director of Counseling & Testing, on receiving Mission West Virginia’s Power of One: Pathway Award!

Jon works hard every day to connect students with the resources they need to feel encouraged, cared for, and ready for success in school and in life.

We are grateful for Jon’s heart for students and proud to see his work recognized. 👏

➡️ Learn more about Jon and the Pathway Award in the story on our website. The link is in the comments.

05/08/2026

🔔 LOCATION CHANGE: KCS Public Hearing – FY27 Budget

Kanawha County Schools is committed to being open and transparent about how public dollars are used to support our students, schools, and staff.

Each year, KCS holds a public budget hearing to review the proposed budget, explain key funding pieces, and give families, staff, and community members an opportunity to learn more about the process.

Please note: The location for this meeting has changed.

📍 NEW LOCATION:
KCS Central Office
200 Elizabeth Street, Charleston

📅 KCS Public Hearing, FY27 Budget
🗓 Monday, May 11, 2026
⏰ 4:00 p.m.

This meeting is open to the public, and you are invited to attend.

05/08/2026