Overview:
• The 2024-25 school year for Cincinnati Public Schools starts Aug. 14, 2024 for K-12 students, with free meals and transportation.
• Each school has unique start times, supply lists, and dress code policies.
When does school start?
CPS schools start Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024 for all students K-12. Preschools will begin Monday, Aug. 19, 2024.
What time does my student start school?
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.
What supplies does my child need for school?
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.
Will my student be in need of a uniform?
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.
Is there a calendar that lists days off school for the 2024-25 school year?
You can find our District Calendar by clicking the link here: https://www.cps-k12.org/calendar
Will my student receive free meals at school?
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
Is my child registered for transportation?
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.
Is my child eligible for transportation?
Please refer to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce at: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3327.01
What type of transportation will my eligible student(s) be taking this year?
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, Aug. 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, Aug. 11, 2024 or later when looking up your trip.
Which students will be using the yellow bus for school transportation?
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.
Can parents/guardians ride the Metro route with their student?
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.
How can I locate my student’s bus?
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.
Are there any forms I need to complete before school starts?
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.
Will my student be receiving an electronic device for school?
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.
What vaccines are required for my student?
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.
How can I learn more about CPS’ schools and District offerings?
As we move through the beginning of the year, families will be able to learn more about each of our schools and district offerings through our All-Schools Guide. This publication, available online and to view at each school, gives families interested in the district, or preparing for the Lottery, an opportunity to learn about the district and all of our schools, including Magnets, Montessoris, Neighborhood Schools, High Schools, Alternative programs and Adult Education programs. The guide also has a great breakdown of graduation requirements and special programs available for college and career credits at our high schools.
To view the All-Schools Guide, visit https://www.cps-k12.org/allschoolsguide