Whether your child is moving to a new neighborhood or making the leap to middle or high school, the first few weeks may be filled with anxiety as well as excitement. These tips will help make the transition a smooth one.

Check out How to choose a school for your child. In our guide, you can see all the aspects of evaluating, visiting, and choosing the right school for your child鈥檚 unique needs. Then, you can search for schools near you.

  1. Make it a team effort

    If you鈥檙e choosing between a few schools, talk with your child about what each one has to offer and get their input. When it comes time to select specific classes, make sure your child is part of the process.

  2. Keep a positive focus

    As the first day draws near, begin talking to your child about her expectations, hopes, and worries about the upcoming school year. Reassure her that other children are having the same feelings. Present school as a place where she鈥檒l learn new things and make friends.

  3. Encourage extra-curricular involvement

    Though you don鈥檛 want your child to become over-committed, it鈥檚 important to encourage participation in one or two activities that interest them. Perhaps surprisingly, this strategy often leads to better grades! Research published in 2022 suggests participation in extracurriculars is associated with positive health, behavioral, and academic outcomes for kids ages 12 to 15. Another linked playing school sports with improved self-esteem and GPA.

  4. Get enough sleep

    If your child has enjoyed a vacation of late nights and lazy mornings, getting up for school on the first day may be difficult. Help make this transition easier by starting the school-year sleep routine a week or two in advance. Sleep is the best booster for a learning brain.

  5. Take a trial run

    Take some time before the first day of school to make sure you and your child know where to go and what to do on that first morning. Show your child where the bus stop is, or, if they will walk, map out the safest route to school, avoiding vacant lots and places where there aren鈥檛 a lot of people. Make sure your child knows to always walk with a friend and what to do in case of an emergency. If you can find out what classroom your child will be in, visit the classroom ahead of time so they know exactly where to go in the morning. You may even want to call the school in advance to find out about any special first-day procedures.

  6. Stock up on supplies

    Spend the week before the first day of school making sure you and your child know what school supplies and materials are required. Many schools provide a handy list for the lower grades, but if not, take it upon yourself to ask and then purchase the items as early as possible. Note that high school students may need tools for more advanced learning, such as calculators and protractors.

  7. Prepare the night before

    To avoid the morning rush, lay out clothes, make lunch, and pack backpacks the night before. Be sure to get everyone up extra early so you鈥檒l have plenty of time to calmly get ready and get out the door on time. If your child tends to be disorganized or slow in the morning, start even earlier.

  8. Get a healthy start

    Offer your child a healthy breakfast and make sure they have plenty of time to eat it. Pack a nutritious snack to help them stay alert throughout the day.

  9. Accompany younger kids

    Even if your elementary school child will usually be riding the bus or walking to school on their own, you may want to take them yourself on the first day, particularly if they seem nervous. If they have a friend at the same school, perhaps they can arrive together.

  10. Introduce yourselves

    Young children are often shy with a new teacher. If you take your child to school on the first day, you may want to go into the classroom and introduce your child to the teacher. Let the teacher know about any special interests or challenges that your child has.

  11. Read up about school

    Reading books together about school is a good way to establish a reading habit and to start conversations about school excitement and fears. To get you started, here are some suggestions for elementary school-age children
    • Olsen, Shannon and Sonke, Sandie. A Letter from Your Teacher: On the First Day of School, 2021
    • Altahif, Eiman S., New School, New Friends: Aydin’s Mindset Matters, 2024
    • Carte-Sears, Kellie and Aleksanyan, Analit New School! How Cool! 2024
    • Savu, Victoria Sofia’s New School 2025
    • Dicmas, Courtney A New School for Charlie 2019
    • Rey, Margret and H.A. Curious George鈥檚 First Day of School. Houghton Mifflin, 2005