Ayden Middle School

08/23/2026

Welcome back, Knights! We are so excited to see everyone tomorrow for the first day of school!

Our bus routes are attached. Since this is the first week of school, please plan to be at the bus stop at least 10 minutes early. Our drivers are learning routes, getting to know students, and working to make sure everyone gets where they need to be safely.

Parents, please take a few minutes tonight to review these important bus safety expectations with your child:

🚌 Stay seated while the bus is moving.
🤫 Use quiet voices and appropriate language.
🙋 Follow the bus driver's directions the first time.
🚶 Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
👀 Keep the aisle clear and remain in your assigned area.

If you do not see a stop listed for your child, please use the closest available stop for your child until Transportation is able to review and correct the route.

Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and partnership as we begin a new school year. Safety is our priority, and we appreciate everyone doing their part to make transportation a positive experience for all of our Knights!

We can't wait to see you tomorrow! 💙💛

08/23/2026

Knight Update 082326

Hello Parents of the Ayden Middle Knights! This is Mr. Miller, Principal of Ayden Middle School. This is your week ahead for the week of August 24th- August 28th, 2026.

AMS hopes that you are having a terrific weekend with friends and family.

It was great seeing all of our families at the 6th Grade Orientation and Open House!

School begins tomorrow! School opens for students at 8:15 and they can grab their breakfast and report to their homerooms. The tardy bell rings at 8:30. AMS offers Early Bird for students that starts at 7:30 for a small fee of $2. School dismisses at 3:30pm. AMS staff will be positioned all over campus helping our students get settled in. We are excited about the new school year!

AMS would like to wish Coach Perry and Mr. Roberson happy birthdays this week! Go Knights!

Sports This Week
-Wednesday- Volleyball Jamboree @ Hope Middle School @ 4pm
-Thursday- Football Jamboree @ Hope Middle School @ 4pm

Lastly, we are required by state law to show videos produced by the North Carolina Center for Safer Schools which discuss the sensitive topic of grooming behavior. State law requires us to show the videos to all students within the first five days of school, and we plan to do so on Aug 26th-Aug. 28th during Elevate Period for students. Please review the following attached letters. There is a 6th Grade Letter and a 7th & 8th Grade Letter.

6th Grade Letter
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cLNYfCB2hILeZHVUOYvOHY0RLwR4JMEzBkhRnCkJbZA/edit?usp=sharing

7th/8th Grade Letter
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ULwjfS5vYKKos8Dz6mc8hZgwsSvsou9BQot3c0e36LY/edit?usp=sharing

Check out our Parent Newsletter:
The Knight Times
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mZs0rg7JsCUPaG-OZVRZNopR-CncRDHg/view?usp=sharing

Principal Miller and AP McNeil will be meeting with each grade level this week to review our expectations for a successful school year. We will also be introducing all of the supports that are available as well as the incentives that can be earned when expectations are met. Go Knights!

If you have any questions you can contact AMS at 252-746-3672 and ClassDojo. Have a great evening. At AMS, we elevate every day, every Knight! Go Knights!

Dear Parents and Guardians of Students in Sixth Grade: As we start a new school year, we are required by state law to show videos produced by the North Carolina Center for Safer Schools which discuss the sensitive topic of grooming behavior. State law requires us to show the videos to all stu...

08/22/2026

We hope you have been enjoying the glimpses into all that is happening at AMS as we prepare for the 26-27 school year. As we sprint to the end of summer (no more telling us we have a few days left, Mr. Miller!), we want to highlight the 8th-grade team! And because we have had so much going on, we have to introduce the team as a unit! Make sure to click through all the images to get to know this team!

This mix of seasoned, vibrant, and eager teachers pours so much into 8th graders as they prepare for high school! They also boast some of the highest achievement in the school, so hard work is expected from all their students!

Mr. Bettes is serving as grade-level chair this year. He taught 7th and 8th grade last year, but will be focused on 8th grade this year, teaching one section of Math and all 8th graders for Science.

Ms. Waggoner is moving up from 7th grade ELA, and students should be excited to have the amazing benefits that we know looping with a teacher can provide! Ms. Waggoner will also serve as the ELA department chair, and will help out with Beta Club.

Ms. Whitehurst is also looping with some of her 7th grade students who will be taking Math 1 this year. Ms. Whitehurst is a dedicated and exacting teacher who brings her passion for Math to her classroom every day! Ms. Whitehurst is a Nationally Board Certified teacher and serves in an advanced teacher role at AMS. She will also work with the Beta Club this school year.

Rounding out this group is Mr. Underwood. Mr. Underwood started out at AMS as a sub during his intern year, and then took over that classroom when he graduated. He is entering his 2nd year of teaching, and we could not be more thrilled that AMS is his home! Mr. Underwood has the coolest vibe in his classroom and works hard to develop relationships with his students and hold them accountable for their learning with passion and encouragement.

Here comes 2026-2027! The Knights faculty is ready to ELEVATE. EVERY DAY. EVERY KNIGHT!

See you Monday!

08/21/2026

The Ayden-Grifton Schools participated in a delicious luncheon today at Elm Grove Church. The food and fellowship were the best as we are excited about the upcoming school year. We are grateful for The Ayden Rotary Club, The Ayden-Grifton Kiwanis Club, Elm Grove Church, and the Ayden-Grifton Attendance Area staffs that contributed to make this event a success!
Ayden Elementary School
Ayden Middle School
Ayden-Grifton High School
Grifton School

08/21/2026

The AMS Open House was welcoming and informative this evening. This is going to be a great school year! Go Knights!

08/20/2026

What a night at AMS this evening!

6th Grade Orientation was a success. Big thanks to the Ayden Middle PTA for popping the delicious popcorn. We are excited about our new students and the new school year. Go Knights!
Elevate: Every Day, Every Knight

08/19/2026

AMS would like to thank Little's Nursery of Greenville for the beautiful gardenias in front of our school. Go Knights!
Elevate: Every Day, Every Knight

08/19/2026

Attention 6th grade families! TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT!

Plan to come tonight from 6-7:30 to meet admin and teachers and to walk your schedule! Also planned for the time is information about supplies, curriculum, parent communication, sports, and electives

Doors will open at 5:30 for those who may have questions about transportation. Programming will begin at 6:00.

Families should follow signs for entry!

See you all tonight!

08/19/2026

Our last member of the 7th-grade team is Ms. Robinson! Ms. Robinson traded one coast for another and moved across the country! She worked at another school when she first landed in NC, but has been at AMS for 3 years! She will complete her certification this school year, but like many of our alternative licensure teachers, she has a wealth of real-world experience to complement her teaching!

Ms. Robinson has a degree in journalism, so students in her classes write, write, and write some more! Ms. Robinson has spent all of her years at AMS teaching both 7th and 8th grades, but this year she will be teaching all 7th grade ELA!

08/18/2026