For Press Release
SCHOOL BEGINS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2026
On Wednesday, August 19, 2026, the staff of the Vinton County Local School District will welcome students in grades 1-12 back to school. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parent Meetings will be held at each school on Monday, August 17th at the following times:
VCHS
Vinton County High School (grades 9-12)
63910 U.S. Highway 50
McArthur, OH 45651
Phone: 740-596-5258
Josh Kirkpatrick Principal
Shane Stevens, Assistant Principal
Freshman/New Student Orientation is set to welcome these students at the following times:
4:00 - 5:00 Self-guided tour of the building, work lockers, and meet teachers
5:00 - 5:30 Informational meeting in the cafeteria
Student schedules will go live on Progressbook after 4:00 pm on August 5th. Please refer to the welcome letter that was sent home for schedule change or parking pass info. This info can also be found on Facebook. Please call the high school office if you have questions.
VCMS Parent Meeting / Open House 3:00 - 6:00 p.m
Vinton County Middle School (grades 6-7-8)
63780 Locker Plant Road
McArthur, OH 45651
Phone: 740-596-5243
Bill Francis, Principal
Matt Rann, Assistant Principal
Please come to the cafeteria at the designated time for a brief assembly with the principal and assistant principal. Immediately following the assembly, parents and students will be dismissed to the classrooms.
6th Grade Orientation 3:00 p.m.
7th Grade Orientation 3:45 p.m.
8th Grade Orientation 4:30 p.m.
Central Elementary 1:00-2:30 p.m. or 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Central Elementary School (grades PK-5)
507 Jefferson Avenue
McArthur, OH 45651
Phone: 740-596-4386
Kimberly Arthur, Principal
South Elementary 1:00-2:30 p.m. or 3:30-5:00 p.m.
South Elementary School (grades PK-5)
38234 State Route 93
Hamden, OH 45634
Phone: 740-384-2731
Danna Peters, Principal
West Elementary 1:00-2:30 p.m. or 3:30-5:00 p.m.
West Elementary School (grades PK-5)
57750 U.S. Highway 50
McArthur, OH 45651
Phone: 740-596-5236
Jaime Cozort, Principal
You are cordially invited and strongly encouraged to attend!
This will be an ideal way to introduce you to the teachers, curriculum, and expectations of the school.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Preschool is for children ages 3 and 4 years old. Priority will be given to children who are age 4 by August 1st. Enrollment for preschool will require the following documents: birth certificate, immunization records, proof of residency, proof of income, up-to-date physical, dental exam, and custody papers, if applicable.
A child must be 5 by August 19, 2026 to enroll in kindergarten. The following documents are required for kindergarten enrollment: birth certificate, immunization records, proof of residency, up-to-date physical exam, and custody papers, if applicable.
Kindergarten students will begin school on Thursday, August 20th.
Preschool students on the Tuesday/Thursday schedule will begin school on Thursday, August 20th.
Preschool students on the Wednesday/Friday schedule will begin school on Friday, August 21st.
All 7th grade students must turn in an immunization form to the Middle School verifying that they have had 1 dose of Tdap and 1 dose of Meningococcal (Meningitis) vaccine on the first day of school. This may also be scanned and emailed to [email protected] or faxed to (740)596-3815.
All 12th grade students must now have 2 doses of Meningococcal (Meningitis) vaccine administered. The second dose must be administered on or after the 16th birthday. If the first dose of Meningococcal vaccine was administered after the 16th birthday, a second dose is not required. An updated immunization record must be turned in to the High School the first day of school. This may also be scanned and emailed to [email protected] or faxed to 740-596-3003
Vinton County Local School District Time Schedules:
Students new to the district for the 2026-27 school year must register as soon as possible using our online registration platform, FinalForms. The url is https://vintoncountylocal-oh.finalforms.com/. It can be found by visiting our district website at www.vinton.k12.oh.us, clicking on the icon for “New Student Registration” If you need assistance with registering online, you can register at the District Office by appointment.
Vinton County Local Schools
307 West High Street
McArthur, Ohio 45651
740-596-5218
Buckeye Hills Career Center will begin classes on Friday, August 14, 2026. If you have any questions about your Buckeye Hills C/C student, please contact Buckeye Hills C/C at (740)245-5334 and check their website regularly at buckeyehills.net.
If you are not familiar with the pickup and drop-off procedures for when Buckeye Hills C/C is in session and Vinton County Local Schools are not in session, contact the Vinton County Local Schools’ Transportation Department at 740-596-4029 for time schedules.
Parents should receive information regarding changes in regular bus routes within the Vinton County Local School District from their child’s bus driver. Parents who have additional questions or concerns should contact Austin Maynard, Transportation Coordinator, at 740-596-4029 or the Superintendent of Schools’ Office at 740-596-5218.
Arrival/Dismissal Information
For the 2026-2027 school year, students will be dropped off and picked up at Vinton County High School in the bottom lot, student parking area, closest to the football field. Students will not be dropped off or picked up in front of the high school building. The bottom lot by the football field will be gated off from the student parking area, and signs will mark the entrance and exit. Upon entering the lot, there will be marked lanes to follow, and no cars should park in a manner that blocks any of these lanes. Upon exiting the parking lot, vehicles will be required to turn right only toward McArthur. There will be signs posted to follow. Also, there are to be no vehicles entering the bus loop between the high school and middle school. School personnel will be available to help guide you through this process.
Students will not be permitted to park in the bottom lot at any time during the day. Assigned parking will be in the upper two lots in the student parking area. No cars will be permitted to park in the lower lot between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. or between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. These changes have been made with safety in mind and to help reduce traffic congestion.
High school building doors will open at 8:05 a.m.
Breakfast will be served in the cafeteria. The academic wing bell rings at 8:15. Students entering the classrooms after the 8:19 a.m. bell will be considered late for school.
Middle school building doors will open at 8:05 a.m. Breakfast will be served in the school cafeteria and/or classrooms from 8:05 to 8:20 a.m. Students entering the building after the 8:24 a.m. bell will be considered late for school.
Elementary students wishing to eat breakfast must be at school when the doors open at 7:45. Breakfast will not be served to students arriving late unless there is a bus problem. Walkers and car-riders must be at school on time in order to take advantage of breakfast. Tardy students will be expected to eat breakfast at home.
All students in grades preschool through twelve will be entitled to a free lunch as well as free breakfast during the 2026-2027 school year. All students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity and eat free breakfast and free lunch every day.
*Students packing their lunch will pay for milk.
In order for students to be considered for the instructional fee waiver, a completed instructional fee waiver form must be returned to your child’s school.
The Student-Parent Handbook for the 2026-27 school year is available on our district website, www.vinton.k12.oh.us, under Quick Links. Parents may also request a hard copy of the handbook at their child’s school.
We look forward to the start of another academic year!
Let’s team to make ‘26-27 a year filled with student support and success.
Every Viking matters, every day counts!