Families in the Colonial and Wissahickon school districts have 20 days to get ready. Both districts open the 2026-2027 school year on Monday, Aug. 31, joining the majority of Montgomery County's public schools on that date, according to The Reporter.
Two of the county's largest districts, Abington and Lower Merion, don't start until Tuesday, Sept. 8, giving Colonial and Wissahickon families a full week less to prepare.
Central Montco Technical High School, which serves students from both districts, also opens Aug. 31 with a student orientation scheduled for Thursday evening, Aug. 27. North Montco Technical Career Center, which serves Wissahickon students, starts the same day.
Immunizations: no records, no entry
Pennsylvania law is blunt: students without required immunizations on file by the first day of school cannot be admitted. For multi-dose vaccines, children have five school days to receive the next dose or face exclusion, according to the state Department of Health.
Colonial Middle School's nurse posted a notice requiring incoming seventh graders to submit documentation of two vaccines (Tdap and meningococcal conjugate MCV4) by Aug. 31. Records can go through the SNAP portal or be emailed to the school nurse directly.
The deadline carries extra weight this year. Montgomery County has recorded three confirmed measles cases in 2026, as we reported in late July.
Supplies: two chances to get help
Montgomery County's annual Back-to-School Drive is collecting donations through Friday, Aug. 21, at the DeKalb Center, 1430 DeKalb St., Norristown, according to Main Line Media News. Backpacks are the greatest need. The drive also accepts binders, notebooks, flash drives, headphones, scientific calculators and other items. Businesses, community members and nonprofit organizations can contribute in person or through the county's Amazon Wish List.
Veronica Hilghman, an administrative assistant in the county's Office of Children and Youth, told MediaNews Group in August 2025 that the drive is personal for her. "I remember how much I loved getting my back-to-school stuff together, and getting it ready, and I feel like it's important that a child goes in and feels like they're ready," Hilghman said.
One day after that drive closes, Messiah United Methodist Church is hosting a free Back to School Bash Backpack Giveaway on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 1 to 4 p.m. The event, posted on Colonial School District's website, is open to all families and will distribute school supplies to area students.
One more date for incoming sixth graders
Colonial Middle School is holding a Move-Up Camp for incoming sixth graders on Monday, Aug. 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Students can explore the building and meet classmates before the year starts. Registration is available on the district website.
Families needing supplies can find more information at montgomerycountypa.gov/HHSDonations. RSVPs for the Aug. 22 backpack giveaway are requested at forms.gle/EZ9WsWRm67cTQtHY8.
