Back to School Dates Are Here for Richmond and Columbia County Schools

Students return to class on Aug. 4 in Richmond and Columbia counties for the 2025-2026 school year. 

Richmond County elementary students and all Columbia county grades start on Aug. 4. The county's magnet schools will start on Aug. 5.

Richmond County welcomes families at open houses on July 31 for elementary grades and on Aug. 1 for K-8, magnet, middle, and high schools from noon until 6 p.m. on both days.

On July 29, Columbia County will host an open house at the high schools from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and at the middle schools from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Elementary schools have their open house on July 31 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Students must register before classes start. Richmond County students can register online or at schools from noon to 6 p.m. on Aug. 4. Columbia County now handles all registrations through its website. Parents must send in birth records and address proof online. Staff will assist those without computers.

Find bus details through each district's web tools. Richmond County shows routes in the Infinite Parent Portal, while Columbia County offers a special route finder.