Princeton ISD returns to class Wednesday, Aug. 12. The district's back-to-school guide states it directly: the first day for all pre-K through 12th-grade students is Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026.
Start times
The gap between levels is wide this year, which matters for households juggling more than one drop-off:
Middle and high schools
- Doors open: 7 a.m.
- School starts: 7:25 a.m.
- Dismissal: 3:05 p.m.
Elementary schools
- Early morning drop-off: 7 to 7:30 a.m. (registration required)
- Doors open: 8 a.m.
- School starts: 8:20 a.m.
- Dismissal: 3:55 p.m.
Early childhood centers
- Early morning drop-off: 7 to 7:30 a.m. (registration required)
- Doors open: 8 a.m.
- School starts: 8:30 a.m.
- Dismissal: 4:05 p.m.
Note that early morning drop-off at the elementary and early childhood level is not automatic. It requires registration.
Before Wednesday
The district's back-to-school guide collects the things worth handling in advance: bus routes, crossing guard locations, school supply lists, health services, Chromebook insurance and athletic participation requirements.
For returning families, the district asks that you confirm four things through the parent portal: family information, emergency contacts, transportation options and medical information.
Princeton ISD also recommends completing online registration before arriving at a campus rather than doing it in person, which saves time in the first-week queues.
Sources
https://www.princetonisd.net/parent-resources/back-to-school-guide
https://www.princetonisd.net/our-district/calendar
