While D11 families are getting ready for Wednesday, Academy District 20 families have a full week before the first bell. D20's staggered start puts preschoolers, elementary students, incoming 6th graders, and incoming 9th graders in school on Monday, August 17. Everyone else follows on Tuesday, August 18.

That week of buffer is actually useful if you put it to work.

What to Do Before August 17

Supply lists in D20 are posted school-by-school at AcademyD20.org. Some teachers customize lists beyond the general school list, and those are typically posted in the school's parent communication platform by the first week of August. If you haven't received anything from your teacher directly yet, check the district website and your school's main page first.

Enrollment in D20 is still open. If you have a new student to enroll, or if your family moved this summer and needs to transfer within D20, head to AcademyD20.org or visit the district office at 1110 Chapel Hills Drive, Colorado Springs 80920. The phone number is 719-234-1200. The enrollment office is open weekdays.

Immunization records are required for Colorado school entry. The state requires documentation of specific vaccines — the list is on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment website and is updated periodically. If you're not certain your child's records are on file at their D20 school, call the school office this week to confirm rather than waiting until the first day.

Transportation: D20 routes and bus stop information for 2026-27 are typically posted at AcademyD20.org before the first day. If your family uses the bus and you haven't confirmed your stop yet, this is a good week to do that.

If You're New to D20

D20 has a reputation for high-performing schools and consistently earns accreditation distinctions. If you've just moved into the district — from out of state, or from another part of Colorado Springs — the main things to know are that many D20 schools have specific enrollment processes for choice programs (magnet tracks, language immersion, career academies), and those programs sometimes have separate registration timelines. If you're interested in a specialized program, call the district office to confirm current availability and waitlist status before assuming a spot is open.

Quick Reference

• D20 first day (preschool, elementary, 6th grade, 9th grade): Monday, August 17
• D20 first day (all other students): Tuesday, August 18
• Website: AcademyD20.org
• District office: 1110 Chapel Hills Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
• Phone: 719-234-1200
• Supply lists: School-by-school at AcademyD20.org
• Immunizations: Required for school entry; confirm records are on file before first day

What's Next

D20 staff hold a back-to-school rally on Tuesday, August 11, at Hatchell Field — a staff-only event, but a signal that the district is ready for the year. For families, the most productive use of this week is confirming enrollment, supply lists, and transportation before the August 17 rush. The week after D20 starts — August 18 onward — Colorado Springs will have all three major districts in session, which means traffic patterns around schools will shift noticeably city-wide, particularly in the morning and afternoon hours.