Skip To Main Content

Toggle Close Container

Mobile Main Nav

Header Holder

Header Mobile Sticky

Toggle Menu Container

Toggle Schools Container - Mobile

Header Top

Header Right Column

More Languages

Header Right Bottom

Toggle Schools Container - Desktop

Header Sticky - Desktop

District Canvas Container

Close District Canvas

Desktop District Tabs

Mobile District Nav

Breadcrumb

Back-to-School FAQs 2024-2025

Back-to-School FAQs 2024-2025

The back-to-school season is in full swing here at CPS and we know this can be a stressful time for families. To help, the CPS team developed a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers to assist families, students and staff prepare for the 2024-2025 school year!

Each year, families are required to complete the Back-to-School packet. While the forms are available in paper format, it is highly recommended that the digital forms be completed in Focus for both efficiency and accuracy. Login to Focus Parent Portal: https://www.cps-k12.org/parentportal

Back-to-School Packet: Non-SBHC 24-25

*Fill out this packet if your student attends a school without a School-Based Health Clinic
Spanish | French | Arabic 

Back-to-School Packet: SBHC 24-25

*Fill out this packet if your student attends a school with a School-Based Health Clinic
Spanish | French | Arabic  

View and download Health Forms: Authorization for Administration of Over-the-Counter Medications at School, Authorization or Administration of Prescription Medication, Consent Form for Seasonal Influenza Vaccine

Questions on completing the Back-to-School Packet?

For additional student forms, please visit: https://www.cps-k12.org/forms

While the FAQs listed below may not include every question, our Customer Care Center is available to assist. Please call (513) 363-0123 for any additional questions between 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For questions about Transportation, please call (513) 363-7433 between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Additionally, information for specific school related questions may be found on the school’s website or by contacting the school directly. School websites are located under the “Schools” button at the top of the page.

Q - When does school start?
A -
CPS schools start Wednesday, August 14, 2024 for all students K-12. Preschools will begin Monday, August 19, 2024. 

Q - What time does my student start school?
A -
CPS schools have their own start time designed to meet the needs of students. Please visit your school’s website for your school’s start time. 

Q - What supplies does my child need for school?
A -
Each CPS school has its own school supply list. You can find your school’s supply list by visiting your school’s website or calling your school. 

Q - Will my student be in need of a uniform?
A -
Each CPS school has its own dress code policy. You can find your school’s dress code by visiting your school’s website or calling your school. 

Q - Is there a calendar that lists days off school for the 2024-25 school year?
A -
You can find our District Calendar by clicking the link here: https://www.cps-k12.org/calendar

Q - Will my student receive free meals at school?
A -
Breakfast will continue to be free for all students at all schools. Lunch will continue to be free for all students at most CPS schools. Only families with students attending Walnut Hills High School, Hyde Park School and Kilgour School are required to fill out an application to receive free meals. Students attending all other schools automatically qualify to receive free meals. Fill out and submit the Free and Reduced Meal Application at: https://www.cps-k12.org/dining
*Applications are not available until July 1, 2024.

Q - Is my child registered for transportation?
A -
Contact your child's school to update and verify that your child is registered for transportation for the upcoming school year 2024-2025, and contact your school to update your child's student record.

Q - Is my child eligible for transportation?
A
- Please refer to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce at: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3327.01

Q - What type of transportation will my eligible student(s) be taking this year?
A - During the 2024-2025 school year, students attending a K-6 or K-8 elementary school will take Yellow Bus. Additionally, Spencer students in grades 3-12 and Oyler and SCPA students in grades K-8 will take Yellow Bus. Students in grades 7-12 will take Metro. Yellow Bus routes can be located in Focus on a desktop computer beginning Wednesday, August 7, 2024. Please note, bus routes are not available in the Focus App. To track your student’s yellow bus, download the MyStop App. Vendors improved the functionality of the MyStop app for better bus tracking.
Metro routes can be located using the Google Trip Planner tool or downloading the Metro Transit App. Be sure to set the date for Sunday, August 11, 2024 or later when looking up your trip.

Q - Which students will be using the yellow bus for school transportation?
A - CPS’ yellow bus service provides transportation during school hours to all eligible students attending a K-6 or K-8 elementary school, Spencer Center grades 3-12 and Oyler and SCPA grades K-8. To find out if your student is eligible, visit our transportation eligibility page.

Q - Can parents/guardians ride the Metro route with their student?
A - Parents and guardians are welcome to ride Metro for free with their student during the first two weeks of school, from Wednesday, Aug. 14 to Wednesday, Aug. 28. Parents and guardians will be able to ride for free to return home. 

Q - How can I locate my student’s bus?
A -
Bus locations can be located by downloading their relevant apps. Families with students riding Metro can use the Google Trip Planner tool for desktop browsers or download the Transit app from Metro. Families with students riding Yellow Bus can download the MyStop app to track bus location. Vendors improved functionality of the MyStop app for better bus tracking in the 2024-2025 school year.

For any concerns not addressed here, please complete a Transportation Inquiry Form and you can expect a response from a Transportation Representative within three business days.

If you have specific language requirements or require specialized assistance from a CPS Transportation Representative, please contact 513-363-RIDE(7433) between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Q - Are there any forms I need to complete before school starts?
A -
To access your back-to-school forms on Focus, visit cps-k12.org/parentportal and search for your child with their Focus ID number, first and last name, and date of birth. All back-to-school enrollment forms are also available in paper form online at cps-k12.org/forms or from your school.

Q - Will my student be receiving an electronic device for school?
A -
All students in CPS will have access to a device during the school year. The device remains the property of CPS and must be returned whenever the student leaves our district.

  • Students in PreK - Grade 1 will have access to an iPad in the classroom. (Montessori Grade 1 students will instead have laptops available in the classroom.)
  • Students in Grades 2 - 6 will have access to laptops in the classroom.
  • Students in Grades 7 - 12 will receive a laptop that they will take home and bring to school each day. These laptops will be issued sometime during the first week of school.

Q - What vaccines are required for my student?
A -
In order to keep everyone in school buildings safe and healthy, students are required to be up-to-date on all childhood vaccines, including vaccines for Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR), Hepatitis B and Polio. Students can receive their vaccines at school from either the school nurse or at a School-Based Health Center (SBHC). To have your child vaccinated at school, parents must consent to treatment for their child at the SBHC or with the school nurse. Call your school to learn more about getting in-school vaccines for your child or visit  www.cps-k12.org/healthandwellness for more information.

  • All Elem
  • All High Schools
  • District
  • Parent Voice