The start of school is coming up soon; for Knox County Schools, the first day of classes for the 2026-27 academic year is a half-day on Aug. 10. If you haven't already started gathering school supplies
and searching for the lunchbox your kid tossed into the back of some closet last spring, it's time to start.
Here are four things to know as you and your kids get ready to return to the school-year routine,
What school supplies do you need? Individual Knox County Schools post online lists of how many glue sticks and what type of binders to get for your incoming student's specific grade or classroom. Find the list on each school's website at knoxschools.org/schools.
Where's the bus stop? Don't wait until the morning of that first day of class to figure out where to catch the school bus! As long as you live more than a mile from your zoned elementary school or 1.5 miles from the middle or high school, you can look up your child's assigned bus stop using your address and the "bus locator" button at knoxschools.org/studentsfamilies/transportation. (Families that live within that 1-mile/1.5-mile limit are responsible for getting their children to school.)
Can my child take their phone to school? Under the policy instituted last year, KCS students can have their phones, smartwatches or related devices at school, but have to store them out of sight and aren't allowed to use them during the school day without an approved exception. They can use their school-issued Chromebooks.
When are the earliest breaks this school year? Already looking forward to the next break? After that half-day on the first day back, Knox County Schools will be closed for Labor Day on Sept. 7, will have a half-day Sept. 16 and will be out for fall break Oct. 5-9. Find the full 2026-27 school year calendar at knoxschools.org/about/calendar.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Are you ready to send the kids back to school? Here's your homework
