Back to School: Western Wisconsin Districts Prepare for Big Launch Week

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) - Backpacks are packed, school supplies are stacked and classrooms across western Wisconsin are preparing to welcome students back. WEAU also has a companion story about what Wisconsin parents need to know before the first day

More than 40 school districts across western Wisconsin and neighboring Minnesota have classes, orientations, assessment days or other school-year launch activities scheduled between Monday, Aug. 24, and Tuesday, Sept. 1.

The exact first day varies by district, and sometimes by grade, so families should check their school district’s website before sending students out the door.

When does school start?

Here is a breakdown of opening dates reported by districts across western Wisconsin, the Chippewa Valley and the Coulee region. Some dates before Sept. 1 include orientation, assessment, transition or other district-specific launch days. Families should confirm whether the listed date is a regular instructional day for their individual student.

Monday, Aug. 24

• Barron County: New Auburn School District
• Buffalo County: Alma School District
• Clark County: Loyal School District
• La Crosse County: School District of Onalaska — K-12 students start Aug. 24.
• Monroe County: Sparta Area School District
• Monroe County: Tomah Area School District
• Pepin County: Pepin Area School District
• Houston County, Minnesota: Caledonia Area Public Schools — Elementary assessment days are Aug. 24-25.

Tuesday, Aug. 25

• Barron County: Rice Lake Area School District — The full student body starts Aug. 25, with select transition grades beginning earlier.
• Dunn County: Elk Mound Area School District
• La Crosse County: School District of Holmen
• Polk County: Osceola School District
• St. Croix County: Baldwin-Woodville Area School District — Grades K-6 and 9 start Aug. 25; all grades K-12 start Sept. 1.
• Trempealeau County: Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau School District — School Year Launch Days are Aug. 25-27.
• Vernon County: Viroqua Area School District

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Wednesday, Aug. 26

• Barron County: Barron Area School District
• Barron County: Chetek-Weyerhaeuser Area School District
• Barron County: Turtle Lake School District — Regular full-day schedule; required Laker Welcome appointments were held Aug. 24.
• Buffalo County: Gilmanton School District — A current working district website was not available.
• Pepin County: Durand-Arkansaw School District — The calendar begins with Jump Start Days Aug. 26-31.
• St. Croix County: School District of Hudson — Grades 1-12 start Aug. 26; 4K starts Aug. 27; kindergarten starts Aug. 28.
• Trempealeau County: School District of Arcadia

Thursday, Aug. 27

• Barron County: Cameron School District
• Buffalo County: School District of Mondovi
• Dunn County: Boyceville Community School District
• Dunn County: School District of the Menomonie Area — Regular classes begin Aug. 27.
• Trempealeau County: Osseo-Fairchild School District

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Monday, Aug. 31

• La Crosse County: School District of West Salem — K-12 students start Aug. 31; 4K starts Sept. 1.

Sept. 1 remains Wisconsin’s standard starting point

Wisconsin law generally prohibits public schools from beginning the school term before Sept. 1 unless a district receives permission from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction based on extraordinary circumstances. The law does not prohibit athletic practices or contests, staff work or in-service days before Sept. 1 and contains an exception for year-round schools.

A large group of western Wisconsin districts have their primary opening activities scheduled for Sept. 1.

Tuesday, Sept. 1

• Chippewa County: Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District — First day for middle school, high school and select elementary grades.
• Chippewa County: School District of Cadott Community
• Chippewa County: Cornell School District
• Chippewa County: Bloomer School District
• Crawford County: Prairie du Chien Area School District
• Eau Claire County: Eau Claire Area School District — Welcome Back Day family orientation is Sept. 1; full academic classes start Sept. 2.
• Eau Claire County: School District of Altoona — Classes start Sept. 1; 4K begins Sept. 2.
• Eau Claire County: Augusta School District — First day for grades K-7 and 9; other grades start Sept. 2.
• Eau Claire County: School District of Fall Creek
• Rusk County: School District of Ladysmith
• Rusk County: Bruce School District
• Rusk County: School District of Flambeau
• Taylor County: Medford Area Public School District
• Taylor County: Rib Lake School District
• St. Croix County: School District of New Richmond — K-5 orientation begins Sept. 1; regular classes begin Sept. 2.
• Houston County, Minnesota: Spring Grove Public Schools — Classes begin Sept. 1.

Families should check directly with their school district for the latest information on calendars, building schedules, transportation, registration and grade-specific opening dates.