Start & Dismissal Times

Looking for school supply lists? They will be posted each school's website under the "Class Information" tab! You can visit your school's website by using the "Our Schools" button at the top of the website.

The 2026-2027 school year will begin Tuesday, August 11. This webpage contains important back-to-school information to ensure all students start the school year strong.

New: Back-to-School Forms

Families may complete back-to-school forms online before the school year begins. Families are encouraged to complete forms online, and to ensure their contact information is accurate so RCPS can contact you in the case of an emergency.

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Bus Routes

Bus routes will be posted to the Transportation Department page no later than August 5.

School Calendar

View the 2026-27 school year calendar, or visit our interactive calendar throughout the summer to view back-to-school events.

Start & Dismissal Times

Start and dismissal times for the 2026-2027 School Year will remain the same:

Tier 1: 7:15 a.m. to 2 p.m.

8 Elementary Schools

Fairview, Fallon Park, Highland Park, Hurt Park,, Garden City, Preston Park, RAMS, Westside

Tier 2: 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

9 Elementary Schools

Crystal Spring, Fishburn Park, Grandin Court, Lincoln Terrace, Monterey, Morningside, Round Hill, Wasena, and Virginia Heights

Tier 3: 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

High Schools and Forest Park Academy

Forest Park, Patrick Henry, and William Fleming

Tier 4: 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Middle Schools and Noel C. Taylor

Noel C. Taylor, James Breckinridge, James Madison, John P. Fishwick, Lucy Addison, and Woodrow Wilson

any text here Roanoke City Public Schools

Additional Start of Year Resources

Student Health & Immunizations

Cell Phones & Wearable Electronic Devices

As required by Code of Virginia § 22.1-79.3:1, school divisions must create and enforce guidelines that prohibit cell phone and smart device use during the school day. To comply with this law and support student success, RCPS will continue its division-wide cell phone guidelines, effective June 2025. Students in grades PK–12 may not use cell phones or other wireless communication devices at any time during the school day. Visit the guidelines page for more information.

Student IDs

Student IDs will continue to be used in the 2026-27 school year. Students must have their ID in order to ride the bus.

Student IDs were one of 25 safety enhancement recommendations presented to the School Board in July 2022. A pilot was conducted in 2023 at Fallon Park Elementary School, Lucy Addison Middle School, Noel. C. Taylor and Forest Park, and IDs were fully rolled out during the 2024-25 school year.

Like staff and visitor IDs, this aligns with RCPS' Safety and Security Risk Management paradigm by easily identifying who is in the building. The full functionality of the IDs will include food services, library services, athletic services, nursing services, tardies, and dismissals.

More information is available on our Student Resources webpage.