Back to School
The first day of classes for Memphis-Shelby County Schools is Monday, Aug. 3.
For families, being ready involves more than buying notebooks, uniforms and new shoes. Parents should confirm registration, transportation arrangements, immunization records and school-specific requirements before students arrive.
That preparation is particularly important this year, as some attendance zones had changed.
Here is a last-minute checklist for the 2026-27 school year.
Make sure registration is complete
Registration is required every year for all students, including those returning to the same school.
Returning families can register through the PowerSchool Parent Portal (Memphis Shelby County Schools). Rising kindergarten students must register as new students even if they attended an MSCS Pre-K program.
Parents should verify:
- the student’s assigned school;
- home address and telephone number;
- emergency contacts;
- custody information;
- grade placement;
- any approved transfer or school-choice assignment.
Completing registration affects more than classroom placement. The information helps MSCS plan staffing, transportation and student-support services.
Families needing enrollment help may contact the district’s Department of Enrollment, Registration and Attendance Department (Memphis Shelby County Schools ).
Check immunizations
Parents of incoming kindergarten and seventh-grade students should pay particular attention to immunization requirements.
Incoming kindergarten students must provide proof of required immunizations and a physical examination. Rising seventh-graders generally need documentation of a Tdap booster.
Parents should provide a valid Tennessee immunization certificate and any physical-examination documents required for the student’s grade or program.
Students experiencing homelessness have a right to immediate enrollment even when they do not have documents normally required for registration, including proof of address, birth certificates, immunization records or previous school records.
Confirm transportation
Families whose children qualify for district transportation should verify the route, bus stop and pickup time before Monday.
Parents should not assume last year’s bus number or stop remains unchanged. Routes can shift as students register, attendance zones change and enrollment totals become clearer.
Develop a backup plan for the first few days, when late buses and route adjustments are more likely.
Young children should know their full name, school and bus number. Contact information can be placed inside a backpack without displaying a child’s personal information publicly.
Log into PowerSchool now
The PowerSchool Parent Portal is useful for more than report cards. Parents can use the portal to check for registration, grades, attendance and other student information.
Families who cannot access their accounts should resolve the problem before school begins rather than waiting until a schedule, absence or grade becomes an issue.
Make sure the district has a current email address and telephone number so emergency notices and school messages reach the correct person.
Take attendance seriously from Day One
A student who misses 10% or more of the school year is considered chronically absent. That includes excused and unexcused absences.
Missing approximately two days per month can be enough to reach that threshold.
MSCS has reported improvement in chronic absenteeism, but the problem continues to affect more than one in four students. The district says reducing absenteeism requires partnership among schools, students and families.
Parents should submit documentation whenever a child misses school and communicate early when illness, transportation, housing or family circumstances create an attendance problem.
Know what services your child receives
Parents of students with individualized education programs should confirm the services listed in those plans and who is responsible for coordinating them.
The school board approved up to $14 million Tuesday for occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, audiology and interpreters for deaf and hard-of-hearing students during the new school year.
Families should ask:
- When will services begin?
- How often will the student receive them?
- Will services be provided by a district employee or contractor?
- Who should be contacted if a session is missed?
- When is the next IEP meeting or review?
Parents do not have to wait until a report card or formal meeting to raise a concern.
Ask for mental-health help early
MSCS employs school psychologists, clinicians and social workers who provide support to students and families.
Parents who notice persistent anxiety, withdrawal, anger, grief, sleep changes, school refusal or other concerning behavior are encouraged to speak with a school counselor, social worker or administrator.
Ask who provides mental-health services at the school and how to request an assessment or referral.
Confirm the supply list and dress code
Supply lists, uniform requirements and dress codes can vary by school and grade.
Parents should check with the school directly rather than relying entirely on a generic list. They should also ask about:
- arrival and dismissal procedures;
- identification required for student pickup;
- student devices and charging requirements;
- before- and after-school care;
- orientation schedules; and
- school-specific restrictions.
Do not assume the school knows
Parents should tell the school about medical conditions, allergies, custody restrictions, transportation changes, homelessness, language needs or other circumstances that may affect a child’s school day.
A smooth first morning cannot guarantee a smooth school year. But confirmed registration, complete health records, working PowerSchool access and a clear transportation plan can prevent several of the problems most likely to derail Day One.
