2025-26 First Day of School Reminder

Important First Day of School Reminder
Posted on 08/04/2025
First Day ReminderQuick Facts

- Monday, August 18 is the first day of school for kindergarten, first grade, sixth grade, and ninth grade.
- All students will attend on Tuesday, August 19.
- Start and end times for the school year are as follows:
- Elementary: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. for Cool Spring ES, Laurel Meadow ES, and Mechanicsville ES). Please read this message for more information.
- Middle: 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
- High: 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

All HCPS back-to-school messages can be found on the HCPS website. If you need back-to-school assistance, our Family Engagement Team is here to help. Please complete this form.

Full Message/Details

Dear Families,

We hope you are having a great summer. We are writing today with an important reminder regarding the first day of school.

Similar to the past five school years, we will welcome our students as follows:

- Monday, August 18 – Only the following students should report: Kindergarten, First Grade, Sixth Grade, Ninth Grade

- Tuesday, August 19 – All students. It will be an A Day for middle and high school students.

Pre-K families: Please note that your child’s teacher/school will be in touch with you prior to the start of the school year regarding a start date for your student.

This modified opening is part of our continued effort to support students and the smooth opening of our schools. Focusing the first day of school on transitioning students will allow our schools to implement activities to provide for a successful start to the school year. We successfully implemented this approach during the past five years and received broad support, and we are pleased to continue with this model.

As a reminder, we will operate on the following start and end times for the coming school year:

- Elementary Schools: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Three schools (Cool Spring Elementary School, Laurel Meadow Elementary School, and Mechanicsville Elementary School) will once again operate on a shifted schedule of 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. to help ensure our transportation service is as efficient as possible. Please read this message for more information.
- Middle Schools: 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
- High Schools: 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

As always, we remain grateful for your support and understanding as we work to meet the unique needs of our students and families. We look forward to another successful school year!

Thank you.

Hanover County Public Schools
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