Back To School

As we gear up for another exciting school year, below is your back-to-school hub. Whether you’re looking for school supply lists, the academic calendar, or more detailed information, everything you need is right here. We’re eager to welcome you back for the 2025-26 school year! 

Please note: Class information will be shared with families in August. School secretaries return to the buildings on July 23. Please contact your school with specific questions.

First Day of School

School Supply Lists

Bell Schedules

Student Registration

Welcome Back Nights

Calendar

School Meals

Handbooks

Transportation

BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

DISTRICT UPDATES

Translate-Traducir-Traduire

First Day for the 2025-26 School Year

  • August 18:
    • Half of kindergarten classes
    • Grades 1-9
  •  August 19:
    • The second half of kindergarten classes*
    • Grades 1-12
    • Urbana Early Childhood
  • August 20: All students attend (UECS-12)

*Kindergarten families will be notified by their student’s school/teacher when they should attend.

Arrival/Dismissal Times

Elementary: 8:10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Students allowed inside at 7:50 a.m. for breakfast)

Sixth Grade Center

  • 8:55 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
  • Wednesdays are early dismissal: 8:55 a.m. to 2:51 p.m.

UMS

  • 8:45 a.m. to 3:35 p.m. (Doors open at 8:20  a.m. for students)
  • Wednesdays are early dismissal: 8:40 a.m. to 2:41 p.m.

UHS

  • 8 a.m. to 3:16 p.m. (Doors open at  7:30 a.m. for students) 
  • Wednesdays are early dismissal: 8 a.m to 2:26 p.m.
  • All scholars may enter the building through doors #1 and #9 and must have their school ID.

UECS 

  • Morning Session: 9-11:30 a.m.
  • Afternoon Session: 1-3:30 p.m. 

Registration

New Families: Please come to Centralized Registration on July 24 from 2 to 6 p.m. or July 25 from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. at Urbana Middle School.

The following documentation is required for registration: 

  • Proof of residency such as an electric bill, rental agreement, home purchase agreement, etc.
  • Photo ID
  • Student’s birth certificate. 
  • Students immunization record. 

Other helpful documents:

  • Records from previous school(s) attended.

More information about registering your new USD 116 Student

Returning students : Families should register via Skyward. You should receive an email confirmation when your registration is successful. 

Contact your student’s school to arrange to submit any necessary documents or if you have questions about registration.

More information about registering your returning student. 

Welcome Back Night 2025

Join us for a Districtwide Back to School Night/Resource Fair on Friday, August 15 from 5:30-7 p.m. outside Urbana Middle School.

Please see below for individual school Welcome Back Night/Open House Nights. 

School Open Houses/School Supply Drop-off

Urbana Early Childhood School: August 18 from 5-6 p.m. on the playground

DPW: August 13 from 5-6:30 p.m.

King School: August 14 from 5-6 p.m. | Flyer

Leal: August 14 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Flyer

Thomas Paine: August 14 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Yankee Ridge Multilingual: August 14 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Sixth Grade Center: August 20 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Urbana Middle School: Open House on August 27 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Flyer

Transportation

All USD #116 families who are eligible for transportation and plan to have their student(s) ride a bus to or from school must register for transportation. Families are only eligible for transportation if they live 1.5 miles or more from their home school.

The bus garage will communicate with families at least one week prior to the start of school regarding route information and pick-up/drop-off times and locations.

In continued partnership with our transportation provider, First Student, USD116 families now have access to FirstView®, a bus tracking and parent communications app for your smartphone or desktop. More information is available on the transportation page. 

Health Requirements

The State of Illinois requires a physical, signed by a physician, and containing all required immunizations for every child attending Kindergarten, 6th and 9th grade.  Students in 12th grade have an immunization requirement. Your student will not be allowed to start school without the completed health certificate.

Students entering kindergarten, 2nd, 6th and 9th grades must have a dental exam prior to May 15 of the current school year. 

Students entering kindergarten also need a vision exam no later than October 15.

Find more information about the state requirements for physicals, immunizations, along with health forms: Health Requirements

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