Back to School Guide for New Kent County Public Schools

NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — 8News is your back-to-school headquarters for the 2025-26 school year! Here’s all you need to know ahead of the new academic year at New Kent County Public Schools (NKCPS).

The first day of school for students is on Monday, Aug. 18.

Things to know and what to bring to school

Families can find the school supply lists for the 2025-26 school year on the New Kent County Public Schools website here.

Local community partners have also supported those in need. A school supply drive was held on July 12 -- a partnership between Becky Ringley State Farm Insurance and Proclaiming Grace Outreach -- to support students in New Kent and Charles City. Supplies will reportedly be distributed to local families before the school year begins.

NKCPS Superintendent Dr. Brian J. Nichols emphasized how "the first day of school sets the foundation for everything that follows."

"The most important thing for our families and students to know is that they are seen, valued, and supported from the moment they walk through our doors," Nichols told 8News. "Team New Kent is ready and excited to welcome students with care, structure, and a genuine commitment to their success."

Policies, changes for students and families to know about

As part of their school district's safety efforts heading into the 2025-26 academic year, parents and students should be aware of the weapons detection system and cell phone policies.

Per school officials, students must remove large objects, including Chromebooks and metal water bottles, before walking through the metal detection systems, which will reportedly be used daily at each school.

“Our top priority is ensuring that every student and staff member feels safe when they walk through our doors,” Nichols said. “These systems are one part of our broader effort to maintain a secure and supportive learning environment.”

Meanwhile, the school district also implemented a new, board-approved cellphone policy, designed to limit student use of personal communication devices, including cell phones, smartwatches and earbuds, during school hours.

Students are prohibited from using these devices during the school day, unless allowed for instructional reasons, according to the district.

School officials said they will take disciplinary action if these rules are violated, including temporary confiscation.

“As educators, our mission is to keep students focused, connected, and supported during the school day,” Nichols said. “This policy helps create learning environments where students are present, engaged, and less distracted by technology.”

As for devices like school laptops, the school emphasized that it maintains a device retention rate of over 95%, and devices are collected when students either withdraw or graduate.

How to plan for school meals

According to the school district, all students will continue with paid meals unless a student qualifies for free or reduced-price meals. Breakfast and lunch will be served daily at all schools, with a focus on health, variety and student choice.

The following are the varying prices depending on the respective school level:

• $2.25/$3.25 for elementary
• $2.50/$3.50 for middle
• $2.75/$3.75 for high school

Families must complete a Free and Reduced Meals application at MySchoolApps before Oct. 1.

According to the school division, MealViewer allows families to view menus and nutrition information, while MySchoolBucks can be used to check balances, monitor purchases and add funds. Deposits may take up to 24 hours, with a $3.25 fee per transaction.

Healthy snacks will be available for purchase starting in first grade and for kindergarten students beginning Sept. 1.

Staffing updates

The school division is reportedly nearly fully staffed for the 2025-26 school year, with only two remaining teacher openings and one paraprofessional position available.

While instructional roles are nearly filled, the school district emphasized that it continues to hire for several key support positions, including bus drivers, school nutrition services workers and maintenance staff, with coaching and tutoring opportunities also available.

Upcoming and underway construction projects

There are also some expansions and upgrades underway at some schools, according to New Kent County Public Schools.

The school district is completing a turf and track upgrade project at the Ed Allen Jr. Athletic Complex, which is shared by New Kent Middle School and New Kent High School, with projected completion in early September 2025. The county Board of Supervisors also approved a $2.7 million Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) request from NKCPS to upgrade athletic facilities at their meeting on Nov. 13, 2024.

Technical education options

There are also some changes to the career and technical education (CTE) offerings in the school division. Over the last five years, the school district has relaunched the Tomorrow course to inspire future educators, bolstered its marketing program, and launched a Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) program with the goal to grow it into a full NJROTC -- reviving the middle school agriculture program, per school officials.

Anything on the calendar before school starts?

The school division emphasized several upcoming dates for August, including the following:

• Lion Camp orientation for rising sixth-grade students at New Kent Middle School on Aug. 8
• Open House for upperclassmen at New Kent High School on Aug. 12
• Open house at New Kent Middle School on Aug. 13
• Open house events at George W. Watkins Elementary School, New Kent County Elementary School and Quinton Elementary School on Aug. 14
• Freshman orientation at New Kent High School