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2026 OCS Back to School Guide

Posted Date: 07/31/26 (04:30 PM)
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The Opelika City Schools logo features a shield and text on a black background.

Back to School 2026

Educating Every Child, Every Day.

Welcome Back!

Welcome Back students! The first day of school is Thursday, August 6, 2026. Below you’ll find key dates, events, and resources to help your family prepare.

Want more details? All of this information is featured in the upcoming edition of The Invitation, Opelika City Schools’ biannual newsletter. Check your mailbox soon!
 
The Opelika City Schools logo features a shield with black and red sections and a bookmark.

Important Back to School Dates

OCS Pre-K Orientation
Monday, August 4, 2026
Sessions are at 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Parents must attend one session.

Meet Your Teacher Day (Grades K-5)
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Your child’s teacher will contact you by email or phone to schedule an appointment. If you have not been contacted by August 3, please contact your child’s school.

Fox Run Schedule Pick-Up
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
All 6th grade students will pick up schedules by team.
8:00-8:45- Blazers and Avengers
9:00-9:45- Knights
10:00-10:45 Guardians
11:00-11:45 Warriors

OMS Schedule Pick-Up
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. 7th Grade (Boys Gym)
10:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. 8th Grade (Boys Gym)
All students will pick up schedules in the boys gym and are encouraged to find classroom locations. Reconnect/registration will take place in the media center. Meetings with classroom teachers will be during Open House.

OHS Schedule Pick-Up
Schedule distribution for 10th-12th grade students was July 21, 2026.
9th grade schedules were distributed at Freshman Orientation on July 23.
Hands reaching for a colorful assortment of markers on a table.

School Supply Lists



REMINDER:
Make sure your student is registered for this school year and you have updated your contact information. Students must be registered in order to be placed on classroom rosters and receive schedules.
 

2026-27 School Calendar

Stay on top of important dates! Access the full school year calendar here.
2026-2027 school calendar for Opelika City Schools, showing monthly grids and key dates.
 

School Hours

OCS Pre-K
  • 7:45 AM – 2:15 PM
Carver Primary School
  • 7:40 AM – 2:45 PM
Jeter Primary School
  • 7:40 AM – 2:45 PM
Southview Primary School
  • 7:40 AM – 2:45 PM
Morris Avenue Intermediate School
  • 7:45 AM – 2:50 PM
Northside Intermediate School
  • 7:45 AM – 2:50 PM
West Forest Intermediate School
  • 7:45 AM – 2:50 PM
Fox Run School
  • 7:55 AM – 3:15 PM
Opelika Middle School
  • 7:50 AM – 3:23 PM
Opelika High School
  • 7:55 AM – 3:25 PM
Opelika Learning Center
  • 7:45 AM – 3:00 PM
OCS Enrollment Center
  • 7:30 AM -- 4:30 PM
Board of Education (Central Office)
  • 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
 

OCS Enrollment Center

1206 Denson Drive, Opelika, AL
Located on the campus of Opelika Middle School, off McClure Avenue.
Phone: 334-745-9750



Office Hours
Monday – Friday
7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The last appointment begins at 4:00 p.m.
Affidavit services will be available on Mondays on a first-come, first-served basis. Appointments are required Tuesday through Friday. Please call to schedule an appointment.

 

Stay Connected with ParentSquare

ParentSquare is the communications platform for Opelika City Schools. Stay connected with teachers, schools, and the district—all in one place.
  • School/class info via text, email, or app
  • View calendars, sign up to volunteer, RSVP for events
  • Private messaging with teachers and staff


Download the ParentSquare App for free on iOS and Android.
 

Open House Schedule

2026 OPEN HOUSE DATES

OCS Pre-K
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
9:00 a.m. OR 6:00 p.m.
Parent Orientation

Opelika High School
Monday, August 17, 2026
6:00 p.m. Open House

Fox Run School
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
5:30 p.m. Avengers, Blazers, & Guardians
6:00 p.m. Title 1 Presentation
Exploratory Teachers available for questions
6:30 p.m. Knights & Warriors

Opelika Learning Center
Thursday, August 20, 2026
12:30-4:30 p.m.

Jeter Primary School
Thursday, August 20, 2026
5:15 p.m. Title 1 Presentation
5:30 p.m. Kindergarten
6:00 p.m. 1st Grade
6:30 p.m. 2nd Grade




Carver Primary School
Thursday, August 20, 2026
5:30 p.m. Kindergarten
6:00 p.m. 1st Grade
6:30 p.m. 2nd Grade

Southview Primary School
Thursday, August 20, 2026
5:30 p.m. Kindergarten
6:00 p.m. 1st Grade
6:30 p.m. 2nd Grade

Northside Intermediate School
Monday, August 24, 2026
5:45 p.m. Title 1 Presentation
6:00 p.m. Open House

Opelika Middle School
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
6:00 p.m. Open House

Morris Avenue Intermediate School
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
5:15 p.m. 4th & 5th Grade
5:45 p.m. Title 1 Presentation
6:00 p.m. 3rd Grade

West Forest Intermediate School
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
6:00 p.m. Open House
 

New Traffic Pattern at Fox Run School

Due to construction at Fox Run School this year, there is a new traffic pattern for morning drop-off and dismissal. Please review the attached information and traffic map. We appreciate your patience as we adjust to the new traffic flow.

Fox Run School Traffic Pattern for 2026-2027 School Year

  • All of the red area will be construction and off limits to everyone. The red areas will be fenced and have gates that will be for contractor access only. Do not attempt to access this area.
  • The yellow line will be the new flow for the upcoming year.
  • ALL cars and buses will flow the same way, the blue line is there to show that we will give right of way for buses to access the curb.
  • After you pick up or drop off, you will need to merge together to go back to normal traffic regulations into the right lane.
  • Cars arriving prior to 3:00 p.m. will be stopped at the orange line in order to get our first wave of buses lined up along the curb. After that, all remaining buses will flow with the car rider line and pull up along the curb.
  • Bus riders will be loaded first before any cars are loaded.

Aerial view of Fox Run School showing car rider entrance, bus lanes, and a construction zone.
 

New Traffic Pattern at Southview Primary School

In order to make traffic flow more efficiently, Southview has established a new traffic pattern for morning drop-off and one for dismissal. Please review the traffic maps below.

  • Morning traffic will enter the driveway and students will be dropped off at the back of the school. Bus drop off will be in the front of the school.
  • Afternoon traffic will continue to load on Hall Avenue and proceed to the back of the school for pick up. Bus loading will be in the front of the school.
  • All traffic will exit to the right onto Gateway Drive.
Aerial view of Southview Primary School showing morning drop-off traffic flow with green arrows.
Aerial view of Southview Primary School showing afternoon dismissal traffic flow.
 

OCS Extended Day

Opelika City Schools offers an Extended Day Program for grades K-6 designed to provide students a safe, enriching, and structured after-school environment.

Fees for the 2026-27 school year are $60 per week for the first child and $40 per week for each additional child in the same family. 


  • Applications should be completed at your child’s school. There is a $10 application fee.
  • Students will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited.

 
Students eat lunch at tables in the Fox Run School cafeteria.

Free Breakfast & Lunch for All Students + Menus

This year, every OCS student eats breakfast and lunch free under the USDA Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program.

  • No applications or paperwork needed
  • Every student eats at no cost to families

Students may still purchase extra items or a la carte options (like extra milk or snacks) using funds from their MySchoolBucks account.

Staff & Visitors Breakfast: $3.25
Staff & Visitors Lunch: $5.25
Ice Cream: $1.00



 

Buses & Transportation

Bus schedules will be available at each school and can be picked up on the first day of classes. If your student is a bus rider, download the Stopfinder app for access to the most accurate bus route information.

The Stopfinder logo features a smiling stop sign on a map background.
 

Immunizations

Required by Alabama Law: Submit updated immunization records before the first day of school. Tdap booster required before 6th grade.
A healthcare professional examines a young patient's hand in an exam room.