DELMARVA - Summer break is winding down, and students across Sussex County and Worcester County, will soon return to classrooms for the 2026-27 school year.
Some local school districts are using staggered starts, giving certain grades an earlier first day before welcoming all students. Start dates range from Aug. 24 through Sept. 9. Here is when students are expected back at school across the area.
Milford
Milford School District students in kindergarten through 12th grade are scheduled to begin classes Monday, Aug. 31.
High school freshman orientation is scheduled for the morning of Friday, Aug. 28. Pre-K students will start after Labor Day weekend.
Cape Henlopen
Cape Henlopen School District will use a staggered start Sept. 8-9. Kindergarten students, sixth graders and high school freshmen will report Tuesday, Sept. 8, according to the district calendar. The remaining students are scheduled to return Wednesday, Sept. 9.
Woodbridge
Woodbridge School District will roll out its new school year from Aug. 24-28 over several days. Freshmen, students in grades 1-6 and the first half of kindergarten students will begin Monday, Aug. 24, according to the district calendar. Grades 7 and 8 and the remaining high school students will return Tuesday, Aug. 25.
The second half of kindergarten students will have their first day Wednesday, Aug. 26. By Friday, Aug. 28, all K-12 students are expected to be in class. Pre-K students will begin Monday, Aug. 31.
Sussex Tech
Sussex County Vocational Technical High School will begin its staggered return Aug. 24-25, welcoming incoming freshmen Monday, Aug. 24, according to the school's calendar. The rest of the high school's students are scheduled to return Tuesday, Aug. 25.
Seaford
The Seaford School District will begin its staggered return Aug. 24-25, with pre-K, kindergarten and grades 3, 6 and 9 starting Monday, Aug. 24, according to the district calendar. All other students are scheduled to join them Tuesday, Aug. 25.
Indian River
Indian River School District will begin classes Sept. 8-9 following Labor Day. Kindergarten students, sixth graders and high school freshmen will start Tuesday, Sept. 8, along with students at the Howard T. Ennis School, according to the district calendar. The remaining K-12 students are scheduled to return Wednesday, Sept. 9.
Laurel
Laurel School District will begin its staggered opening Aug. 31-Sept. 1. Kindergarten students and students in grades 2, 5, 7 and 9 will report Monday, Aug. 31, according to the district calendar. All students across the district are scheduled to attend Tuesday, Sept. 1.
Delmar
Delmar School District has scheduled a transition day for Friday, Aug. 28, as part of its back-to-school activities during the final full week of August. Fifth graders and high school freshmen are scheduled to attend the transition day, according to the district calendar.
Worcester County
Worcester County Public Schools in Maryland will welcome students back Monday, Aug. 31. The district serves communities across Worcester County, including schools in the Berlin, Ocean City, Snow Hill and Pocomoke City areas.
