The first day of the 2026-2027 school year is coming close for families across every neighborhood in the District, and there is a shared sense of anticipation as children prepare to return to the classroom. As we move through August, we also observe National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), an annual observance highlighting vaccination as a cornerstone of public health. We encourage all DC families to use this month to check in with their pediatricians and ensure their children are up to date on the vaccinations that keep our whole community thriving.
The DC Back-to-School Roadmap: Mayor Bowser’s 2026-2027 Checklist
To streamline the transition back to the classroom, the District has launched a redesigned website at backtoschool.dc.gov serving as a year-round hub for digital resources, event calendars, and direct links to essential health forms. A centerpiece of this year’s effort is the mayor’s 2026-2027 Back to School Checklist. This four-page document is organized into four essential pillars to guide families.
- Enrollment: This pillar provides comprehensive information on school enrollment through DCPS or the My School DC lottery, along with resources for early childhood, special education, and career and technical education programs.
- Health Records and Immunizations: This section guides families through required medical and dental visits, helps them track necessary forms, and explains DC’s specific immunization requirements.
- Getting To and From School: Families can find details regarding the Kids Ride Free program, Safe Passage initiatives, and specialized transportation services tailored for students with special needs.
- Attendance: This pillar offers practical tips for building strong attendance habits and connects families with support services to help meet District attendance requirements.
For families who prefer a physical copy, the checklist is available in both English and Spanish. You can pick one up at any DC Public Library branch or Department of Parks and Recreation center across the District while supplies last.
Essential Deadlines and Immunization Requirements
Setting our students up for success means marking these key milestones on your calendar. For DC Public Schools, the first day of school for students in kindergarten through grade 12 was Monday, August 24, 2026. Our youngest learners in pre-K began their journey on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
A critical date for every family to keep in mind is the temporary exclusion deadline. To keep our school environments healthy and prevent the spread of preventable illnesses, the District maintains a strict immunization policy. The temporary exclusion deadline for the 2026-2027 school year is December 7, 2026. By this date, students entering the following grades must be fully up to date with all required vaccinations to remain in school:
- Pre-K3
- Kindergarten
- 7th Grade
- 11th Grade
If a student is enrolled in these grade levels and remains non-compliant after October 5 — also known as Count Day — the school will begin the process of notifying and temporarily excluding the student from school until the immunization certification is received.
Additional Information
Here are several resources to help families prepare for the upcoming school year:
- Immunization Hub: Visit vaccines.dc.gov to find pediatric clinic locations and review the District’s recommended childhood vaccination schedules.
- Digital Checklist & Events: Families can access the 2026-2027 Back to School Checklist and a calendar of community events at the redesigned backtoschool.dc.gov portal.
- Special Education & Support: The back-to-school portal connects families with social, emotional, and behavioral health resources, including the DC Special Education Hub.
- College and Career Readiness: Older students can explore technical education opportunities and postsecondary planning tools through the District’s dedicated readiness resources.
- Charter School Families: Since DC public charter schools establish their own academic calendars, families should contact schools directly to verify their specific start dates.
- Insurance: For more information regarding access to insurance or Medicaid for families in the District, see DC Health Link.
If you haven’t already, be sure to schedule your children’s appointments today to ensure a healthy and successful school year.
Featured image/photo courtesy of iStock.
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