2026-27 Back to School Information

Welcome to the 2026-27 School Year

We are thrilled to welcome back our Ann Arbor Public Schools students and staff to our school campuses as we get ready for the first day of school, Monday, August 31st.

 

We are sharing some important general AAPS district information, including information on the food service and transportation programs, which students need to have their immunization records updated and general school safety details. We also have information about mental health supports that are available, oral health screenings for kindergarteners, a new idle-free campaign created by students, and Rec and Ed programs.

 

Please review the information below and as well as the more school specific information about your child’s school that you will have received directly from the school. These district information updates will come throughout the school year on Friday afternoon to keep you updated on what is happening across AAPS as well as some community events.

 

Community Conversation With Members of the Board of Education

Join members of the AAPS Board of Education to share thoughts on the Budget and Next Steps on Thursday, September 3rd from 6 to 7:30 PM at the Pittsfield Library Community Room at 2359 Oak Valley Dr.

All community members are welcome. For any questions or concerns: mohammadr@a2schools.org or 734-478-0048
 

Food Service

Under the Michigan School Meals program, students in the Ann Arbor Public Schools will receive FREE meals (breakfast and lunch). The free food program is only for complete breakfast and lunch meals. It does not include a la carte items such as milk.

 

Students will continue to maintain a benefit status of Free, Reduced, or Paid under the approved program. Benefit status' will be used for the purpose of grants and other state funding. 

 

All families are to fill out the Education Benefits Form (EBF). These forms are available in multiple languages. AAPS ESL teachers/translators are available to help families. Click here for more information on EBF.

 

You can find the menu for your child’s school here.

 

Transportation

Bus routes for all of our schools are available here.

My Stop is a free desktop and mobile app that provides parents access to bus route information such as a child’s assigned bus, bus stop location and updates on the estimated time of arrival at the bus stop. My Stop allows parents and students to plan for late or on-time arrival and prevent missed pick-ups. Click here for more information and how to login.

For more information on transportation go here.

Immunization Records

Incoming Young 5s, Kinders, 7th graders, and new students of any grade must complete vaccinations or obtain a waiver by the first day of school (August 31). 

Michigan’s required Vaccines for School Entry have not changed. Review required immunizations here. 

Staying up to date on vaccines is the best way to safeguard your child's health and keep classmates safe from preventable illnesses.

Schedule an immunization appointment with your pediatrician or call (734) 544-6700 for an appointment at the Washtenaw County Health Department.

Non-medical immunization waivers (exemptions) are only available from the Washtenaw County Health Department. Please note that you must go to the WCHD to sign the waiver. 

The above information in Spanish/Español: Mensaje sobre inmunización de agosto de 2026

 

Mental Health Support

Care Solace is AAPS’s free Mental Health and Substance Abuse Care Coordination Service. If you need support, Care Solace is here - free and confidential 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to connect students, staff and their families to mental health, substance abuse and ABA service providers, even during summer break.

Over 200 languages are supported, and help is available to those with and without insurance.

 Using Care Solace is easy!

• Call 888-515-0595 anytime. A dedicated Care Companion will help you every step of the way to research options, secure appointments and follow up with you to make sure it's a good fit.

• Search anonymously by visiting caresolace.com/aaps

Information about Care Solace is available in Spanish, Arabic and Mandarin.  

School Safety

 

A safe learning environment for all students is the top priority of the Ann Arbor Public Schools. A change in state law over the summer has led to a change in one of the terms used in our Crisis Response Protocol. We will now use the phrase Secure when there is a possible threat outside, but normal school activities can continue inside the building, for example if there is a bank robbery in the area. While the name has changed from Shelter to comply with state law, the reasons why it would be used and the actions taken by staff and students remain the same. If you want a reminder or don’t know the Standard Response Protocol now being used across Michigan, this video from the I Love U Guys Foundation highlights the actions students will take in each situation.

You can learn more about safety measures in the AAPS here.

 

Kindergarten Oral Health Screening

A healthy mouth is important. Dental problems can prevent children from doing well in school. AAPS kindergarteners are required to have a dental screening so that any problems can be fixed and they attend school ready to learn. 

Elementary and K8 buildings will be reaching out to entering Kinder families with more information and options for a free screening that can take place during the school day at school. 

Please note this regulation does not apply to Young 5’s students.  

More information is available in English here and in multiple languages on this site. 

 

Idle Free Zone Campaign

Through the leadership of the Freeman Environmental Youth Council, AAPS is instituting a Reduce Idling Zone at all AAPS schools starting this fall. This initiative is aimed at protecting our students’ health. Please help our students breathe cleaner air by following the guidelines below, especially at pick-up when we see vehicles waiting up to an hour before release time.

• Drop-off: When dropping off your student, if you arrive and there is a line of vehicles waiting for the first bell, please turn off your vehicle until cars proceed through the line.

• Pick-up: If you arrive before the bell to release students and join the pick-up line, please turn off your vehicle until the line begins to move. 

Learn more about the student-led effort to improve air quality here.

 

Rec and Ed

For Kids & Families

• Before & After Care — Openings available at many AAPS buildings

• Early Childhood Classes — Ages 0–5

• Youth Classes & Activities — Ages 5–14

• View All Classes - With so many NEW classes being offered, you are sure to find something you like. Registration is open for after school enrichment opportunities right at your child's school.

Youth League Sports: Registration is open for Volleyball (grades 4-9) & Basketball (grades 2 & 3)   Fall Soccer & Field Hockey — Registration is closed, but waitlists are available. More youth league sport league Information here.

For Adults: Stay active and try something new with our variety of adult enrichment and fitness classes.

Good to Know: Scholarships are available to help with registration costs. Rec & Ed gift cards make a great gift! 📬 Want updates? Subscribe to Fun Forward for class news and registration dates.

 

 

How to Address a Concern in the AAPS

If you have a concern in the AAPS, we want to hear directly from you. Please reach out directly to an adult, teacher, counselor or the principal at your child’s school. If additional assistance is needed with school issues beyond the school level:

 

For early childhood and elementary level issues, contact Melita Alston, Executive Director, Early Childhood and Elementary Education: alston@a2schools.org

 

For High School, Middle School and K-8 school issues, contact Dr. Roberta Heyward, Executive Director, K-8, Middle and High School Education: heywardr@a2schools.org