Tips for Stepping Into the Best School Year Yet!

August 3, 2026

Resources for Families

2026-2027 School Calendar

Your Penny at Work

The words Register Your Ride and the top of a school bus.

School Starts on Monday, August 10

Back to School Step One: Register Your Ride

The School District of Palm Beach County requires that all students who will be using bus transportation for the school year register with the Transportation Department through the Register Your Ride portal.

Parents and guardians must complete a brief registration to ensure their child is assigned to a bus. The child must have a student ID to use when registering. Choice Program students can receive transportation if they reside within the designated Choice Transportation zones for the school.

Learn more about Register Your Ride, access the Portal, and get step-by-step instructions.

If you experience any issues logging in:

Email AskTransportation@palmbeachschools.org. Please include the student's name, student ID number, and a description of the issue.

You can also contact the Transportation Call Center at 561-357-1110. Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekends.

Step Two: Know Your School's Hours

A school employee watching as children enter the school.

School start and end times for the 2026-2027 school year will remain unchanged, mirroring school hours observed in previous school years.

Generally, high school hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. Middle school hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:05 p.m. Elementary school hours typically run 8:00 a.m to 2:05 p.m.

However, some schools may alter their hours to accommodate special programs. Read more about school start and end times.

Step Three: Fuel Your Child for Learning with School Meals

Children eating lunch in a school cafeteria.

School Food Service is excited to keep serving healthy, delicious meals to students.

Important Update: While most schools still offer free meals, some now require payment.

Your family may qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on income and household size.

Apply now for Free or Reduced-Price Meals.

Check out this Information Booklet for the following:

Links to school lists.
Information about meal benefits.
Information about online prepayment processes.
Other valuable resources.

Questions? Contact your school's School Food Service Manager or call 561-383-2000.

Step Four: Stay Engaged with the Parent Portal

A Parent Portal is available within our existing Student Information System (SIS) Gateway. It allows parents and guardians to access several District apps and forms.

The SIS Gateway is also an important tool for families to stay engaged in their child’s education.

The SIS Gateway is available via palmbeachschools.org/gateway as well as in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store by searching for Palm Beach County SIS Gateway.

Step Five: Save on School Supplies

A poster advertising the Back to School Sales Tax Holiday from July 20 through August 20, 2026.

The 2026 Back to School Sales Tax Holiday began on Monday, July 20, 2026, and ends on Thursday, August 20, 2026.

During the annual sales tax holiday period, tax is not due on the retail sale of clothing and footwear, certain school supplies, learning aids and jigsaw puzzles, personal computers, and certain computer-related accessories.

Get details on all the items that are tax-free during this period.

Step Six: Prep Little Learners for Success

A kindergarten student in a classroom holding up a drawing.

We are so excited to welcome your family and help your little learner get off to a great start.

Every incoming kindergartener will receive a kindergarten readiness kit, packed with colorful tools designed to sharpen reading and math skills through play.

Families can watch these videos to learn how to use the kit.

Schools to Serve as Polling Sites on Primary Election Day

Tuesday, August 18, 2026 is Primary Election Day in Palm Beach County. In addition to other polling sites throughout the County, nearly 100 District-operated campuses will serve as polling places on that day.