Back to School Guide for Chesterfield County Public Schools

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- 8News is your back-to-school headquarters for the 2025-26 school year! Here's what students and families need to know ahead of the new academic year at Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS).

According to the school district, Bellwood Elementary School started its school year on July 21. All other schools will start their first day of school on Aug. 18.

What to know about school security

The school district said every middle and high school will have weapons detection systems to bring an additional layer of security.

Starting in August when school opens, students and school visitors will enter through OpenGate scanners, which CCPS said are similar to those used at amusement parks, concerts and sporting events.

CCPS' technology and cell phone policies

According to CCPS, students are allowed to have a cellphone or other personal electronic device while on school property during the instructional day. However, the phone or device should be turned off and stored in the student's backpack. To view the school district's full policy, click here.

CCPS has a new four-year lease for Chromebooks, with this transition requiring the collection of existing Chromebooks and chargers at the end of the 2024-25 school year.

According to the school district, new Chromebooks will be distributed to students at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year.

What supplies do students and classrooms need?

Elementary school and middle school families can find supply lists by visiting CCPS' website, choosing their school, then locating "supply list" under the school information tab.

High school students will learn specific supply needs during the first few days of their classes, according to CCPS.

What about school meals and nutrition services?

CCPS has moved to use SchoolCafe, which the school district said families will find much easier to manage school meals through.

The SchoolCafe app is replacing three separate apps previously used for viewing menus, paying for meals online and applying for free or reduced-price meals -- those being MealViewer, MySchoolBucks and MySchoolApps.

Parents and guardians can learn more about the Food and Nutrition Services Department of CCPS on this webpage, including a list of the 43 schools that offer free breakfasts and lunches to all students.

Any events for the beginning of the school year?

Events can be found on CCPS' website, as well as the websites of individual schools.

CCPS advises families to stay up to date with events that their schools organize by making sure their contact information is current by logging in to ParentVUE.

CCPS' new schools and construction

According to CCPS, the division will add its 13th middle school when Deep Creek Middle School opens its doors to students at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year. A replacement building for Davis Elementary School will also be new this school year.

Other construction projects include a replacement building for Bensley Elementary School that is scheduled to open in August 2026, a new west area elementary school that is slated to open August 2026 and a new west area high school that is scheduled to open in August 2027.

Are there job openings at CCPS?

CCPS is hiring additional instructional assistants to support students in special education.

Those interested in applying for this position are invited to attend a hiring event from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 6 at Falling Creek Middle School, located at 4780 Hopkins Road, to participate in interviews. Registration is preferred to attend the event, but not required.

The school district said it is always accepting applications for jobs in transportation, custodial and substitute teaching as the division's size frequently has needs.

To view all job openings with CCPS, go here.