Back to School 2025-2026
We're so excited to welcome your child back for the 2025-26 school year! To help you and your family feel confident and prepared, we've put together some important back-to-school information below.
What's On This Page:
- Key dates to kick off the new year
- Bus rider information
- Student ID requirements
- Cell phone and backpack requirements
- School supply lists
- How to customize your communication preferences
The first day of school is Monday, August 11, and we can't wait to see our students back in class - learning, growing, and thriving Forward Together!
Be sure to read through each section carefully so your child is ready for a great first day.
Important Dates
Here are a few important upcoming dates for the 2025-2026 school year:
- Meet the Teacher
Friday August 8
Elementary: 4-6 PM
Middle: 5-7 PM
High School: 5:30-7:30 PM
- First Day of School
Monday, August 11
- 6th Grade Orientation
Monday, August 44:00–6:00 PM
At all DVISD Middle Schools:
Dailey MS – 14000 Westall St
Del Valle MS – 5500 Ross Rd
Ojeda MS – 4900 McKinney Falls Pkwy
Back to School Bash
Join us for Del Valle ISD’s annual Back to School Bash on Wednesday, August 6th, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM — a fun-filled evening designed to help families gear up for a great school year!
🎒 Receive free backpacks (while supplies last, first come, first served)
🎨 Enjoy kid-friendly activities and games for all ages
🤝 Connect with local organizations and community partners offering valuable resources
🍎 Learn more about DVISD programs, services, and student support
This event is free and open to all DVISD families. Come celebrate the new school year with us — we can’t wait to see you there!
Academic Calendar & School Hours
Be sure to check out the 2025–2026 Academic Calendar to stay on top of important dates like the first day of school, holidays, early release days, and the last day of the year.
School Hours
Monday-Thursday Regular Hours
ES: 7:30 a.m. – 2:55 p.m.
MS: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
HS/OC: 8:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Friday Early Dismissal
*every Friday of the school yearES: 7:30 a.m. – 1:55 p.m.
MS: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
HS/OC: 8:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Student IDs and Badges
As we gear up for an exciting new school year, we’re making sure every student is safe, secure, and set up for success from the moment they arrive on campus or step onto the bus.
Here’s what you need to know about student ID badge requirements for 2025–2026:
- Middle and High School Students: All students are required to wear their student ID badge every day while on campus.
- If your student still has their ID from last year, please send it with them on the first day of school.
- Elementary Students (Bus Riders): Students riding the bus need their SmartTag ID securely attached to their backpack. This special badge lets us safely track when student get on and off the bus each day.
Lost an ID?
No problem - replacements are available in the front office for $5.
We appreciate your support in keeping our schools safe and organized. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your campus front office.
Student Electronic Devices
Under a new state law (House Bill 1481), students will not be allowed to use personal electronic devices—including cell phones, tablets, and smartwatches—during the school day.
We are still awaiting final guidance from the Texas Education Agency (TEA), but here’s what we can share now:
- Use of personal devices during the school day will not be allowed.
- Devices not permitted include cell phones, smartwatches, headphones, and gaming devices. All of these devices must be off and not visible for the entire school day. This does not include school-issued devices like Chromebooks.
- This rule applies from the start to the end of the school day, even during passing periods and lunchtime.
- Students will still be able to contact a parent or guardian in an emergency.
- Campuses will have student consequences or fines for non-compliance with this state law.
Clear Backpack Reminder
As a reminder, all middle and high school students must use clear backpacks for the 2025–26 school year. Mesh backpacks are not permitted. This safety measure remains in place to help ensure secure learning environments across our campuses. Elementary students may use a backpack of their choice.
School Supply Lists
Get a head start on back-to-school prep! School supply lists for the 2024–2025 school year are now available for all grade levels.
Bus Rider Information
Families of all students who selected "yes" for district transportation during registration will receive bus stop information via text message and email by the end of the day on August 4. Returning students MUST complete the returning registration forms in Skyward Family Access to receive a bus route for the 2025-2026 School Year.
Please note that each year routes are reviewed for efficiency and some route numbers and bus stop locations may change from previous years. Families can contact the Transportation hotline if they need any assistance with bus routes (512) 386-3150 or by emailing trans@dvisd.net.
Bus route tracking for parents
Del Valle ISD utilizes the SMART Tag system to monitor when and where students get on and off the bus, helping improve communication and security.
How It Works:
SMART Tag provides real-time updates to the DVISD Transportation Department and families, ensuring you're informed about your child’s bus activity.
Parent Portal Features:
- Get a notification when your child's bus is approaching your stop for both pickup and dropoff.
- See your child's bus stop information.
- Change preferences on notifications regarding bus routes.
Parents of bus riders are encouraged to use this link to download the SmartTag app on their device, and sign up for updates. Detailed instructions to use this app.
ParentSquare - Communication Platform
Del Valle ISD uses ParentSquare, a unified platform for all school-to-home communication. Your child's teacher, principal, and the district will use ParentSquare to send information to you. This message was sent with ParentSquare. By default, you will receive a digest of all messages from your child's campus and the district to the email on file in Skyward Family Access each day at approximately 5:30 PM. Families with only a phone number on file will receive messages via text message.
Email and text message settings can be customized by creating a ParentSquare account and changing their notification settings.
Please click here to see a reference sheet with detailed instructions on using ParentSquare.
For even greater convenience, download the free ParentSquare app on iOS or Android devices and stay connected wherever you go.
Free Meals to Students
DVISD will provide all students free breakfast and lunch to enrolled students through the Community Eligibility Program.
Student meals are free for all without collecting household meal benefit applications. A socioeconomic form is needed in place of the meal application, and this can be found on the registration page for new and returning students.