Mayor Bowser Releases 2026-2027 Back to School Checklist, Shares Immunization Resources Ahead of the First Day of School

(Washington, DC) – Today, with fewer than three weeks until the first day of school for DC Public Schools (DCPS) students, Mayor Muriel Bowser released the 2026-2027 Back to School Checklist and encouraged families to ensure students are up to date on their medical visits before the start of the new school year. The new four-page checklist is available now at backtoschool.dc.gov which has been redesigned with updated information and tools for the 2026-2027 school year.

“My favorite day of the year is the first day of school because it’s a day filled with so much joy, excitement, and promise. We also know how important the first few days and weeks of school are for helping our students have a great school year,” said Mayor Bowser. “We want families to go through the checklists, make your plans and appointments, and if you need help getting your child back-to-school ready – reach out to us.”

The checklist is organized into four “to-do” lists that guide families through some of the most important back-to-school tasks:

Enrollment: information on enrolling at an in-boundary DCPS school; applying to public charter schools, out-of-boundary and citywide DCPS schools, and pre-K through the My School DC lottery; and resources for early childhood, special education, and career and technical education.
Health Records and Immunizations: required forms, annual medical and dental visits, and DC’s immunization requirements.
Getting To and From School: information about Kids Ride Free, Safe Passage, and transportation services for students with special needs.
Attendance: tips for building strong attendance habits, understanding District attendance requirements, and connecting families with support services if challenges arise.

While the checklist is designed to help families quickly complete the most important tasks before the first day of school, the redesigned backtoschool.dc.gov provides more detailed guidance, and direct links to forms and agency resources, making it a year-round resource for families, including:

An events calendar, featuring programming hosted by District agencies and community partners throughout August and September.
Social, emotional, and behavioral health resources, including family supports, crisis resources, and the DC Special Education Hub.
College and career readiness resources, including career and technical education opportunities and postsecondary planning tools.
Direct links to District agencies, online forms, and additional family resources.

“Families don’t have to stop enjoying summer to start getting ready for the school year,” said Deputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn. “This checklist makes it simple, with four easy to-do lists that help families cover the essentials and make a plan. We know that when students show up every day, on time and ready to learn, they’re more likely to thrive throughout the year. Our goal is simple: to make sure every DC student walks through the school doors on day one prepared for a strong start.”

As students prepare to return to school, DC Health is also encouraging families to schedule routine medical and dental appointments and ensure students are up to date on required immunizations. Under the DC school immunization policy, all students must be fully immunized ahead of the December 7, 2026 temporary exclusion deadline for students entering Pre-K3, kindergarten, seventh grade, and eleventh grade.

“Vaccination is one of the first lessons in lifelong health,” said Dr. Ayanna Bennett, Director of DC Health. “When we teach children the importance of immunization, we’re helping protect their families, classmates, teachers, and school staff while building healthier habits that last a lifetime. By keeping our schools healthy and our communities safe, we’re preparing the next generation to make informed health decisions as adults.”

Why vaccines are important for healthy school communities:

Vaccines protect children from serious diseases. Routine immunizations help prevent illnesses such as measles, whooping cough, polio, and meningitis before children are exposed.
Vaccines help keep schools and communities healthy. High vaccination rates reduce the spread of disease and help protect infants, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems who may be more vulnerable to serious illness.
Staying up to date helps students avoid delays in school attendance. District law requires students to meet immunization requirements to attend school, making early well-child visits an important part of back-to-school preparation.

Families can find pediatric immunization locations, as well as learn more about school vaccination requirements and the recommended childhood vaccination schedule, at vaccines.dc.gov.

The first day of school for DCPS students in kindergarten through grade 12 is Monday, August 24, 2026. The first day of school for DCPS students in pre-K is Thursday, August 27, 2026. Families can find the DCPS 2026-2027 School Year Calendar here. DC public charter schools set their own academic calendars, so families with children enrolled in a charter school should check directly with their school for its first day and calendar.

Families can download the 2026-2027 Back to School Checklist at backtoschool.dc.gov or pick up a printed copy at any DC Public Library location or Department of Parks and Recreation center across the District, while supplies last.

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