Back to School 2026: First Day of School Dates in the North Shore

Dominican High School is the first school in the North Shore to return in August

Backpacks are packed, supply lists are checked and another school year is almost here. North Shore schools will return over a two-week span in 2026, with some private-school students beginning in mid-August and most public schools starting September 1 or 2.

We checked the schools’ official calendars to assemble this guide to first-day dates in Whitefish Bay, Shorewood, Fox Point, Bayside, Glendale, River Hills, Mequon and Thiensville.

Please confirm your child’s schedule before heading out the door. Calendars can change, and preschool, 4K, kindergarten, freshman and transfer students may have orientations, staggered starts or shortened first days.

Tuesday, August 18

Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay begins classes Tuesday, August 18. Freshman Orientation Day is Monday, August 17.

Tuesday, August 25

Milwaukee Jewish Day School begins its 3K program Tuesday, August 25, with a noon dismissal.

Wednesday, August 26

Several North Shore schools begin Wednesday, August 26:

• Holy Family Parish School in Whitefish Bay. K3 and K4 use a staggered-start schedule August 26 and 27.

• Milwaukee Jewish Day School begins classes for JK through eighth grade. The school also has an early dismissal that day.

• St. Eugene School in Fox Point.

• St. Robert School in Shorewood begins with an 11:15 a.m. dismissal.

Monday, August 31

Lumen Christi Catholic School in Mequon begins its 2026–27 school year Monday, August 31.

Tuesday, September 1

Tuesday, September 1 is the biggest back-to-school day across the North Shore.

Whitefish Bay School District

Students in the Whitefish Bay School District begin classes Tuesday, September 1.

The district includes:

• Cumberland Elementary School

• Richards Elementary School

• Whitefish Bay Middle School

• Whitefish Bay High School

Check your school’s communication for any special arrangements affecting 4K, kindergarten or new students.

Mequon-Thiensville School District

Students in 5K through 12th grade begin Tuesday, September 1, according to the Mequon-Thiensville School District calendars.

This includes:

• Donges Bay Elementary School

• Oriole Lane Elementary School

• Wilson Elementary School

• Lake Shore Middle School

• Steffen Middle School

• Homestead High School

MTSD 4K students have meet-and-greet appointments September 1 and 2 before their first regular day Thursday, September 3.

Shorewood School District

All schools in the Shorewood School District begin Tuesday, September 1:

• Atwater Elementary School

• Lake Bluff Elementary School

• Shorewood Intermediate School

• Shorewood High School

Fox Point-Bayside School District

Students in the Fox Point-Bayside School District begin Tuesday, September 1. The district includes Stormonth Elementary School and Bayside Middle School.

Families of younger students should watch for grade-specific orientation or staggered-entry information.

Nicolet Union High School

Nicolet Union High School welcomes all students Tuesday, September 1, with a Red Carpet first-day event.

Glendale-River Hills School District: Staggered Start

The Glendale-River Hills School District begins with a staggered schedule Tuesday, September 1.

Students in fourth and sixth grades begin that day, along with K4 and K5 students. Families should confirm whether their child’s preschool or kindergarten program follows an additional staggered schedule.

Wednesday, September 2

Glendale-River Hills School District

All remaining students at Parkway Elementary School and Glen Hills Middle School begin Wednesday, September 2, following the district’s September 1 staggered start.

Additional Private-School Calendars

The following schools have published 2026–27 calendars, but families should consult their school communications for the applicable first day, orientation schedule or classroom transition plan:

• Bader Hillel Academy in Milwaukee

• North Shore Montessori School in Milwaukee

• St. Monica School in Whitefish Bay

• Trinity Lutheran School in Mequon

Montessori and early-childhood programs may use different entry dates for different classrooms or age groups, making the school’s direct communication especially important.

A Few Back-to-School Reminders

Check the dismissal time. A first day may be shorter than the regular schedule, particularly at private schools and early-childhood programs.

Review staggered-entry instructions. K3, K4, 5K and kindergarten students may be divided into smaller groups for their first classroom visit.

Plan around Labor Day. Labor Day falls Monday, September 7, 2026. Many students will attend school for only a few days before the three-day weekend.

Start adjusting sleep schedules now. Moving bedtime and wake-up time earlier in 15-minute increments can make the first week less jarring.

Expect extra traffic. Allow additional time around schools during morning drop-off and afternoon pickup, particularly during the first several days.

Whether your family is squeezing in one final summer adventure or already counting down to the first bell, double-check your school’s calendar and parent communications before finalizing the week’s plans.

Dates were checked against school and district calendars available as of August 23, 2026. Schools may revise schedules or issue grade-specific instructions after publication.