This year in the classroom, DC Public Schools will remain focused on creating joyful and rigorous learning experiences to accelerate student success. Our elementary schools will continue to make strides in math and literacy, so all students are on the path to academic progress throughout their educational journey. And for middle school and high school students, we’ll focus on ensuring what they learn in the classroom aligns with success in career and college, including expanded Career and Technical Education (CTE) and mathematics offerings. Plus, we know there are new memories to be made in our classrooms, on our playgrounds, inside school labs, on athletic fields, and from our stages!
- Mayor Bowser Welcomes Students Back to School!
- Get the Latest on the New School Year at Our Back to School Info Session
- Download the School Year 2026-2027 Calendar
- Getting To and From School
- Student Attendance
- Tracking Student Progress
- Staying in Touch with Your School
- Afterschool Programming, Extracurricular Activities, and Athletics
- Getting Ready for Pre-K Family Toolkit
Mayor Bowser Welcomes Students Back to School!
A new school year starts with a few key steps. Mayor Bowser’s checklist makes sure your student is prepared and ready to learn on day one. Visit backtoschool.dc.gov/guide for information to support your student this school year. This one-stop resource contains the details you need to plan for success from PK-3 through 12th grade.
Get the Latest on the New School Year at Our Back to School Info Session
Chancellor Jackson and DCPS leadership held a back to school informational session to share key updates, resources, and opportunities for School Year 2026-2027. View the recording below.
Download the School Year 2026-2027 Calendar
Getting To and From School
Student arrival and dismissal schedules are set by schools. Please see the information provided by your school for more details about when your student should arrive and will be dismissed each day.
Safe Passage is Mayor Bowser’s investment to protect students and families as they travel to and from school. Safe passage programming includes conflict resolution, mediation services, and community relationship building to keep students safe and improve student attendance.
The Kids Ride Free (KRF) program allows students to ride for free on Metrobus and Metrorail while traveling within the District. Please note that School Year 2025-2026 Kids Ride Free SmarTrip cards will remain valid through September 30, 2026. New cards for School Year 2026-2027 will be distributed at your child’s school, or you can contact your school to request a card. Learn more about the Kids Ride Free program from the DC Department of Transportation.
WMATA recently made several updates to Metrorail operations, which may change students’ commutes to and from school. If you’re not sure how your family’s commute may have changed, use WMATA’s Trip Planner tool at www.wmata.com/schedules/trip-planner.
Student Attendance
Every day counts! Regular school attendance is critical for academic success. Our goal is to ensure that every student attend school regularly and on time. Daily presence in school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success, starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school. Even as children grow older and more independent, families can play a key role in ensuring students understand why attendance is so important for success in school and life.
New for SY26-27
Review the DCPS Attendance Policy
Families should review the DCPS Attendance Policy to understand attendance expectations of students across all grade-bands, including our youngest Pre-K learners, frequently asked questions, and more.
Use the District-Wide Student Attendance Excuse Note Portal
DCPS has a district-wide process for submitting student attendance excuse notes via the Parent Portal. This system streamlines the process for submitting student attendance excuse requests and ensures consistency across the district. Guidance on viewing and processing excuse notes submitted by parents via Aspen GO (Parent Portal) can be found here: English | Español | Français | አማርኛ | 中文 | Tiếng Việt
Daily Attendance Text Messages to 6th to 12th Grade Students
In addition to attendance-related notifications that parents already receive, DCPS will continue to send attendance text messages to students in grades 6-12 if parents consented to receiving such messages. The purpose of this is to keep students informed of the number of days they have been absent.
Additional Messaging
DC Public Schools has teamed up with EveryDayLabs to enhance attendance supports. EveryDayLabs will reach out to families with mailings and text messages to help keep attendance on track. These communications will cover all absences, including both excused and unexcused, as all absences contribute to chronic absenteeism and loss of valuable learning time.
Reminder Regarding Elementary School Attendance
On an ongoing basis, DCPS elementary schools will implement the “60/40” attendance policy as required by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). This means if your child attends school for less than 60% of the day, it will be tracked as a 60/40 absence. This applies to both excused and unexcused absences. (See 5-A DCMR § 2199.1.)
To support your child being marked present for the full day, please make sure they arrive on time and stay until the close of the school day every day. Please note that the following late arrivals and/or early dismissal times will result in your child being considered legally absent for the day:
- Students arriving after 11:25 a.m.
- Students leaving before 12:35 p.m.
- Students arriving late and leaving early and missing more than 40% of the scheduled school day.
The 60/40 attendance policy will continue to be implemented at the secondary level, meaning students must attend at least 60% of their class periods to be marked present for the day.
Visit dcps.dc.gov/attendance for more information.
Tracking Student Progress
DCPS believes that grades support ongoing learning by providing timely feedback and informing personalized instruction while making a record of growth and development over students’ school career. Grades can include student engagement during class and group activities, practicing a skill learned during a lesson, and tests and quizzes to demonstrate mastery.
You can utilize the DCPS Assessment Guide for Families as a resource to understand your student’s assessment results.
Student progress reports and report cards are provided during each of the four terms that make up the school year. Families are encouraged to utilize the Aspen Parent Portal to access student schedules and grades. This tool allows you to gain insight into what occurs in the classroom, helping families become better equipped to support their child’s strengths, and areas of growth.
Check out the Parent Portal to get started!
Staying in Touch with Your School
Families are experts in their child’s development and partners in their success at school. Connecting with your child’s teacher and school is important for a successful school year. Ask teachers how and when you can expect to hear from them and the best ways to work together to support your child’s learning. Be sure to also follow important information shared by your school principal, this may include email newsletters, text messages, phone calls, or letters sent home with your student.
Parent-Teacher Conference days are scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, 2026, and Thursday, February 11, 2027. Additionally, most schools will hold back-to-school nights throughout the fall. Visit dcps.dc.gov/page/back-school-night for Back to School Night dates.
DCPS will share district-wide updates to families via regular emails and text messages, as well as post information on this website and the @DCPublicSchools social media accounts on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
Afterschool Programming, Extracurricular Activities, and Athletics
DCPS afterschool programs allow students to participate in academic and extracurricular enrichment activities and to develop new hobbies and skills. DCPS teachers, paraprofessionals, and after school partner organizations provide a variety of unique programming options to students.
Afterschool Programming and Extracurricular Activities
In SY25-26, afterschool programs managed by Out of School Time Programs (OSTP) will be offered in 55 schools. Schools not participating in OSTP afterschool programs may offer their own programs to students. Please contact your student’s school for more information. Visit dcps.dc.gov/afterschool to learn more about afterschool programs.
Research shows that participation in extracurricular activities is linked with academic success. Many teachers and staff advise clubs and activities, which are great opportunities for students and staff to get to know each other. Your school can share more information on all the activities available for students.
Athletics
DCPS student-athletes in grades 4 – 12 play within the District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association (DCIAA). Sanctioned DCIAA sports offered at schools include adaptive bowling, archery, baseball, basketball, bowling, cheer, cross-country, flag football, football, golf, indoor and outdoor track, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, unified basketball, volleyball, and wrestling. Visit thedciaa.com for more information.
Getting Ready for Pre-K Family Toolkit
Ready for Pre-K is a DC Public Schools (DCPS) initiative designed to support families and caregivers of young children as they transition to Prekindergarten at DCPS. Ready for Pre-K provides information about children’s growth and development, ways to support your child’s learning at home, and the information you need to feel ready for Pre-K!
Check out the Getting Ready for Pre-K Family Toolkit and other resources!
Page updated: August 11, 2026
