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It’s that time of year again! On Monday, August 11, our Little KIPPsters will walk through the doors of KIPP Texas Public Schools for the first day of the 2025–26 school year! Returning KIPP Texas families, welcome back! New KIPP families, we’re so excited to welcome you to our Team and Family. We’re honored to partner with you to ensure your child is prepared for college, career, and beyond.
This year, KIPP Texas Public Schools will serve more than 32,000 students in grades Pre-K through 12 across 54 schools in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio.
As you prepare for the new school year in your city, here are six important tips and reminders:
1. Please be patient during drop-off and pick-up. The first week of school often brings heavier traffic around campus during arrival and dismissal. We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes early, so your KIPPster has time to locate their classroom before the morning bell rings. We also recommend allowing extra time to pick up your child once the school day ends.
For safety reasons, all KIPP Texas families must drop off their students inside the school gates at the designated drop-off area. Look for directional signage and support from KIPP Texas staff on-site.
We appreciate your patience, grace, and cooperation during this adjustment period. Safety remains our top priority.
*Campus schedules may vary. Please check with your child’s school directly for exact drop-off and breakfast times.
2. Important reminders for bus riders: Before the first week of school, confirm your child’s after-school transportation plan with their school’s front office. Parents picking up elementary students from the bus must have their student pick-up cards, and students should remain seated while the bus moves. For grades 5–12, students should notify the driver and stay on the bus if a stop looks unfamiliar or unsafe. Visit our Transportation webpage for more information and resources to help your family prepare for the first week of school.
3. Free breakfast and lunch for all KIPPsters. Every KIPP Texas student receives free, nutritious meals daily—breakfast, lunch, and supper if offered. This is made possible through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which allows all students to benefit regardless of household income.
Meals comply with the Texas Department of Agriculture regulations and are designed to support healthy habits and academic performance. A variety of options are available daily. To see your school’s menus and learn more, visit our Child Nutrition and Wellness webpage.
4. Start school prep now. As a reminder, all KIPP Texas students will be required to wear uniforms. Little KIPPsters will wear the same KIPP Texas-branded shirts Monday through Thursday, with a school-specific spirit shirt option on Fridays. Ensure your Little KIPPster has their uniforms and school supplies before the first day. You can access all important back-to-school information and resources on our Back-To-School webpage.
5. To ensure your student can start school on the first day, Monday, August 11, please submit all required registration documents, including updated health and immunization records, by Friday, August 8. State law requires all students to be fully immunized or have a current, official exemption on file. Families must submit updated records each year as part of registration.
Visit our Health Services page for more information about immunization requirements.
Returning families: Please log in to your SchoolMint account and complete all annual forms. For easy-to-follow instructions, visit kipptexas.org/newtokipp.
6. Every Day matters: arrive on time. Attendance is crucial to student success. KIPP Texas students are expected to attend school every day unless they have a valid, excused absence or prior permission from school leadership.
Parents and guardians are vital in ensuring students arrive on time and stay engaged in learning. The Student Handbook contains our full attendance guidelines. Let’s work together to make the 2025–26 school year joyful, safe, and successful for every KIPPster!
