Academy District 20 opens the 2026-27 school year in two phases this coming week. Not every student starts on the same day — the district is using a staggered schedule that separates transition-year students from returning students, and the timing matters for Colorado Springs families who need to plan their week.

Here's what you need to know: Monday, August 17 is the first day for a specific set of students. Tuesday, August 18 is the first day for everyone else. If you're not sure which day applies to your child, the grade-level breakdown below has the answer.

Why the Staggered Start

Staggered starts are increasingly common in districts across Colorado, and D20's rationale follows the same logic most use: when transition-year students arrive on a day without the full student population, the first-day experience is less overwhelming. Teachers can spend more time orienting new students, hallways are less crowded, and families navigating drop-off for the first time have a little more breathing room.

For families with elementary-aged children, all grade levels start Monday — so if you have a kindergartner and a fourth grader, they're both heading in on August 17. For families with a middle or high school student who isn't in a transition year, the Tuesday start gives you an extra day to get organized after a weekend.

It's worth noting that D11, Colorado Springs' other major district, started August 12. If you have children in both districts, your household may have already been in school-year mode for several days by the time D20 begins.

Quick Reference: D20 Back-to-School 2026

What's Next

If you haven't confirmed your child's specific school schedule, teacher assignment, or building map, this weekend is the time. D20 schools typically host meet-the-teacher events before the first day, and many principals communicate first-week schedules through school apps or email in the days leading up to the start.

For families new to D20, the district's website at asd20.org has school contact information, calendar details, and guidance on transportation, meals, and enrollment questions that may still be outstanding.

Colorado Springs traffic patterns around schools shift noticeably once the academic year begins. If your route involves Palmer High School or downtown streets near D11 campuses, plan for additional congestion in the morning drop-off window. D20 campuses on the north side of the city will see their own increase in school-zone traffic starting Monday.

The 2026-27 school year runs through late May 2027. For now, the focus is getting kids to the right school on the right day — and that answer is August 17 for many, and August 18 for the rest.