Tomorrow morning, Academy District 20 students in Colorado Springs will start their 2026-27 school year. If you have been following the district's staggered opening, you already know the schedule — but here is everything in one place for tonight's final prep.

The Schedule, One More Time

Monday, August 17 is the first day for D20 preschool students, kindergarteners, 6th graders, and 9th graders. If your child is entering any of those grade levels, tomorrow is their day.

Tuesday, August 18 is the first day for all other D20 grades — 1st through 5th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade, and 10th through 12th grade.

Tonight's Checklist

There are five things worth doing tonight if you have not already:

Confirm transportation. Whether your child rides the bus, carpools, or is being dropped off, verify the plan tonight. If your child is taking the bus for the first time, confirm the stop location and pickup time through the D20 parent portal or by contacting the school directly. Bus schedules and routes can shift slightly at the start of the year.

Check the parent portal for supply lists. Some D20 teachers update their specific supply lists in the parent portal in the days before school starts. Even if your family already purchased general supplies based on the district list, it is worth logging in tonight to check for any teacher-specific additions.

Know which day is your child's first day. In households with multiple children at different grade levels, the two-wave start means different family members may have different first days. Confirm each child's start date and pack accordingly.

Set wake-up times. Returning to school-year sleep schedules after a summer of later nights typically takes three to five days. Starting the adjustment tonight — even just thirty to sixty minutes earlier than recent patterns — reduces the chance of a rough first morning.

Pack the backpack tonight. Label everything, verify the water bottle is filled (not just rinsed), and confirm any required first-day forms, medical authorizations, or signed paperwork are inside. First-day morning is not the time to look for a permission slip.

A Note on Douglass Valley Elementary

For families on the west side of Colorado Springs who are watching the district's long-term construction plans: D20 broke ground on the new Douglass Valley Elementary School on August 3, 2026. The project will replace and expand the existing building when complete, and will serve preschool through 8th grade. Construction is underway, but the existing Douglass Valley campus continues normal operations this school year. The groundbreaking is a milestone for the neighborhood, and more details are available at academyd20.org.

What's Next

With D49 (started August 3), D11 (started August 12), and D20 (starting August 17-18) all now in session, the 2026-27 school year in Colorado Springs is fully underway. COS Parenting will check back in with first-week updates, transportation tips, and information on upcoming school board meetings across all three districts. Good luck tomorrow, D20 families — you are ready.