Wise County Public Schools is proud to share an exciting opportunity for Wise County students and residents to participate in the Semiquincentennial Essay Contest, celebrating the 250th Birthday of the United States of America!
SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL ESSAY CONTEST INFORMATION
To celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the Wise Business Association and Wise County Historical Society are sponsoring an Essay Contest for Wise County residents—both youth and adults!
📖 Theme: “Remember the Past, Imagine the Future”
Let your imagination be your guide! Choose any event from our nation’s long history that interests you and explore something you would like to learn more about.
✍️ Two Categories:
Youth: 18 years of age and younger
Adult: 19 years of age and older
🏆 Prizes in Each Category:
🥇 1st Place — $150
🥈 2nd Place — $100
📅 Deadline: September 26, 2026
📝 Entries must be typed and limited to 500 words.
📄 Cover Sheet Requirements:
Please include:
Adult or Youth
School (if Youth)
Name
Address
Email
Phone Number
📬 Mail Entries To:
Bonnie Aker
Box 595
Wise, VA 24293
ATT: ESSAY
📍 Entries may also be dropped off during business hours at:
The Clapboard House
207 West Main Street
Wise, VA
🎉 Award Ceremony
📅 Friday, October 9, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 The Inn at Wise
Light refreshments and music will be provided. Everyone is welcome!
We encourage our Wise County students, families, and community members to participate in this special opportunity to celebrate our nation’s history while imagining its future!
Thank you for participating in this historical event!
We hope our students, families, faculty, staff, and community members enjoy a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable long weekend.
Thank you to the hardworking individuals who help make our schools and our community strong each and every day. We appreciate all you do!
We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday, September 8.
Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend, Wise County!
📢 Upcoming Schedule Changes
Wise County Public Schools would like to remind families and staff of the following schedule changes:
🕧 Early Dismissal – Friday, September 4, 2026
Schools will dismiss at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, September 4, in observance of the midpoint of the first nine-week grading period.
📚 Teacher Reminder: Teachers are expected to participate in scheduled professional development activities until 3:30 p.m.
🏫 Schools Closed – Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026
Wise County Public Schools will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.
Students and staff will return to school on Tuesday, September 8.
We hope everyone enjoys a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable Labor Day weekend!
WCPS will be offering FREE developmental and speech screenings Friday, September 25th. These screenings are open to preschool children ages 2.5 - 5 years of age, who live in Wise County, and are not yet attending kindergarten. For more information, contact Kristen Day at kpday@wisek12.org, or at (276) 328-8017 ext. 12043.
Early Dismissal Notice - Friday, September 4, 2026:
Wise County Public Schools will dismiss early at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2026, in observance of the mid-point of the first nine-week grading period. Teachers are reminded that they are expected to participate in scheduled professional development activities until 3:30pm.
WISE COUNTY SCHOOLS DOES IT AGAIN!
We are incredibly proud to announce that Wise County Public Schools has once again finished 3rd in the Commonwealth of Virginia in Standards of Learning performance among all 131 school divisions!
This marks our FOURTH consecutive year finishing 3rd in Virginia and our 11TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR as a Top 10 school division in the Commonwealth.
Eleven consecutive years.
Students have entered kindergarten and graduated from high school during that span. Standards have changed. Assessments have changed. Expectations have increased.
And through it all, Wise County Schools has remained among the very best school divisions in Virginia.
That doesn't happen by accident.
It happens because of outstanding students, dedicated teachers, strong school leadership, committed employees, supportive families, and a community that believes in its schools.
Being in the Top 10 once is an accomplishment.
Staying there for 11 consecutive years says something about who we are.
Finishing 3rd in Virginia for four consecutive years says something about the standard our students and employees have established.
We are proud of this accomplishment. We are proud of our people. And we are especially proud of our students.
Our Tradition of Excellence continues.
🍎 As we welcome students back for a new school year, our schools will dismiss early during the first two days of classes to help everyone transition into new routines and schedules.
Tomorrow, Friday, August 7, 2026, all schools will dismiss at 12:30 p.m. Early dismissal gives students and staff additional time to adjust to the new school year, helping ensure a smooth and successful start for everyone.
We look forward to a year filled with learning, growth, and success.
Welcome back, students and staff!
We are excited to welcome our students back for the 2026–2027 school year tomorrow, Thursday, August 6! Our teachers and staff members have been hard at work preparing engaging classrooms, our transportation team has serviced, cleaned, and sanitized every bus, and our division leadership has implemented new curriculum and strengthened systems to support safe, successful learning. Students, parents/guardians, and staff members are reminded that school will dismiss early at 12:30pm on Thursday, August 6, and Friday, August 7, 2026. We can't wait to welcome our students back, and look forward to an amazing 2026–2027 school year.
We'll see you tomorrow!
All WCPS students entering 7th or 12th grade are welcome to attend any one of these clinics. On-site registration will be available, so no advance registration is required. Students and guardian(s) are reminded to bring insurance information and immunization record.
We encourage families to take advantage of this opportunity to help ensure students are up-to-date on their school vaccinations.
