WASHINGTON, D.C. — District families have a new four-part checklist to help prepare students for the 2026-27 school year, with guidance covering enrollment, health records, transportation and attendance.
Mayor Muriel Bowser released the checklist Thursday as DC Public Schools prepared to welcome kindergarten through 12th-grade students back on Monday, Aug. 24. The first day for DCPS pre-K students is Thursday, Aug. 27, while public charter schools set their own calendars.
The checklist directs families to enrollment options and special-education resources; required medical, dental and immunization forms; Kids Ride Free and Safe Passage information; and services that can help students maintain strong attendance. It is available through the District’s redesigned Back to School website, which also includes events, behavioral-health resources, college and career planning tools, forms and agency links.
DC Health is encouraging parents and guardians to schedule routine medical and dental visits early. Under District policy, students entering pre-K3, kindergarten, seventh grade and 11th grade must be fully immunized before a temporary exclusion deadline on Dec. 7. Pediatric vaccination locations and requirements are available at vaccines.dc.gov.
Printed copies of the checklist will be available while supplies last at D.C. Public Library branches and Department of Parks and Recreation centers. Families can review the full announcement through the Executive Office of the Mayor.
Photo: Students at DC Bilingual Public Charter School in 2024. USDA photo by Paul Sale, via Wikimedia Commons (public domain).
The Washington Herald
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Washington, D.C.
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