When Does School Start on Mercer Island?

School is fast approaching, even before summer seems to really have begun.

Here are some things to know if you have students in school on Mercer Island.

Mercer Island School District

If you're getting ready for school in the , classes begin on Wednesday, August 29, the week prior to the Labor Day holiday.  Because the Labor Day holiday falls so late this year, the first day of school occurs before the long weekend.

Perhaps the biggest change to all MISD school schedules is shifting the Early Release to Wednesdays, rather than Mondays. Starting Wednesday, Sept. 5 and occurring every Wednesday for the school year, all elementary schools will adjourn at 2 p.m., will adjourn at 1:20 p.m. and will be released at 2:05 p.m.

Elementary students: From July 1st to August 6th, new families needing to register their elementary students for fall may bring completed registration packets to Mary Newcomer (206) 236-3330 at the district office at 4160 86th Ave. SE. All schools will reopen business offices on August 6, with hours of 9 a.m. - noon, Monday through Thursday (closed Fridays). Student placement and schedules will be available online on Aug. 22 at the MISD Skyward Family Access website. Families with Kindergarten-age students and new families to the district will receive a letter detailing the program, how to access including login/password information, and who to contact around Aug. 22. With this login/password you will be able to access your child's placement for the 2012-13 school year.

If you have a new kindergartener this year or have recently moved to the district, each elementary school offers an "open house", orientation or tour of the school on Aug. 28. also offers Check the MISD website for details and times.

Middle-school families: Islander Middle School's business office re-opens on Aug. 6 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. and new student registration opens on Aug. 9. Call Shelly Krispin at 230-6160 starting Aug. 9 for an appointment to register. Aug. 21 is IMS's Photo and Schedule Day with staggered times for visits by 6th graders (10:30 a.m. - noon) and 7th and 8th graders (1-3 p.m.). Students are asked to "dress appropriately" and school officials suggest bringing a checkbook for school lunch payment, P.E. uniforms (6th grade only), PTSA membership, yearbook, and a variety of additional activities (no cash accepted). Parents can access the MISD's online registration website Skyward Family Access starting at at 10 a.m. on Aug. 21.

High school families: MIHS's main office reopens on July 30 at 8 a.m., and fall sports eligibility packets are due by Aug. 8.

The MIHS Counseling Center opens Aug. 16 for New Student Registration only. Call Sheryl Ehrlichman at (206) 236-3354 from August 16 – 21 for an appointment to register. After August 21st, call Linda Scalzo at (206) 236-3359. Skyward Family Access opens at the end of the day, Aug. 17 for students and parents to view student schedules. If you are a current student and do not have your login/password, contact MISD schedule administrator Mary Newcomer (236-3330) and your information will be mailed to you. If you are a new student, Skyward login and passwords will be mailed to you. If you do not have computer access, contact the Counseling Office (236-3354).

Northwest Yeshiva High School

will hold a new student orientation BBQ on Thursday, Aug. 23 from 5-7 p.m. and an orientation for all new parents on Sunday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. following a salmon dinner at the school. Classes begin on Monday, Aug. 27.

St. Monica Parish School

will hold new student and parent orientations on Thursday, Aug. 27, beginning at 10 a.m. and classes begin Tuesday, Sept. 4.

French-American School of Puget Sound

will hold a student orientation "visit of the classes" on Tuesday, Sept. 4 and classes begin on Wednesday, Sept. 5.

Editor's note: Information from the Mercer Island School District, Northwest Yeshiva High School, St. Monica Parish and French-American School of Puget Sound.