The 2026-27 school year begins in less than three weeks, and El Paso-area families are preparing for another busy back-to-school season with registration deadlines, school supply drives, tax-free shopping weekend and campus events across the region. Students will begin returning to classrooms later this month, with districts opening campuses on staggered schedules through early August.
The new academic year begins as school districts navigate financial uncertainty and declining enrollment. Census estimates released this summer show the county has lost nearly 12,000 school-age children since 2020, continuing a trend that has reduced state funding for districts while leaving many with aging facilities and rising operating costs.
The El Paso Independent School District enters the school year filling two vacant trustee seats while preparing for a possible bond election that could ask voters to approve up to $450 million for campus improvements. District leaders have spent much of the summer confronting financial challenges and outlining a long-term recovery plan that included layoffs.
The Ysleta Independent School District adopted a budget that nearly exhausts its savings to avoid employee layoffs – though a reduction in force is likely next year. Meanwhile, the Socorro Independent School District approved a balanced budget while continuing its work to satisfy state requirements tied to special education oversight before a state-appointed conservator can leave the district.
While districts address financial and enrollment challenges, students will return to campuses with new opportunities. Girls flag football saw rapid growth this year, culminating in Region 19’s second season and the inaugural state championship, adding momentum to efforts to make the sport a permanent UIL-sanctioned offering in Texas. Families also will see new curriculum requirements adopted by the Texas State Board of Education.
The changing education landscape extends beyond K-12 schools.
The University of Texas at El Paso is moving forward with a $102 million dorm project as it deals with the fallout from the cancellation of a major National Science Foundation aerospace grant after an inspector general report found no wrongdoing in the university’s application.
El Paso Community College is adjusting to a reduction in state funding, Southwest University is launching a teacher preparation program as the region works to strengthen its educator pipeline, and colleges and universities across the Borderland are preparing for students to return later this summer.
El Paso public school start dates, bell schedules
Here’s what you need to know about key dates, start times and registration links for each El Paso-area school district:
Anthony ISD
First day of school: Tuesday, July 28
Bell schedule (start time/end time)
Elementary school: 7:30 a.m.-3:10 p.m.
Middle school: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
High school: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Important links: Academic calendar | Registration
Canutillo ISD
First day of school: Monday, Aug. 3
Bell schedule (start time/end time)
Elementary school: 7:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
Middle school: 8 a.m.-3:50 p.m.
High school: 7:55 a.m.-4:05 p.m.
Registration: Academic calendar | Registration
Clint ISD
First day of school: Monday, July 27
Bell schedule (start time/end time)
Elementary school: 7:20 a.m.-3 p.m.
Middle school: 8:30 a.m.-3:50 p.m.
High school: 8:30 a.m.-4:05 p.m.
Registration: Academic calendar | Registration
El Paso ISD
First day of school: Monday, Aug. 3
Bell schedule (start time/end time)
Elementary school: 8:15 a.m.-3:25 p.m.
Middle school: 7:50 a.m.-3 p.m.
High school: 8:45 a.m.-4:10 p.m.
Important links: Academic calendar | Registration
Fabens ISD
First day of school: Tuesday, Aug. 4
Bell schedule (start time/end time)
Elementary school: 7:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
Middle school: 8 a.m.-3:32 p.m.
High school: 7:35 a.m.-4:15 p.m.
Registration: Academic calendar | Registration
San Elizario ISD
First day of school: Tuesday, July 21
Bell schedule (start time/end time)
Elementary school: 7:20 a.m.-4:05 p.m.
Middle school: 8:05 a.m.-4:50 p.m.
High school: 8:05 a.m.-4:50 p.m.
Registration: Academic calendar | Registration
Socorro ISD
First day of school: Monday, July 27
Bell schedule (start time/end time)
Elementary school: 7:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
Middle school: 7:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
High school: 8:30 a.m.-4:10 p.m.
Important links: Academic calendar | Registration
Tornillo ISD
First day of school: Monday, July 27
Bell schedule (start time/end time)
Elementary school: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Middle school: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
High school: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Registration: Academic calendar | Registration
Ysleta ISD
First day of school: Monday, Aug. 3
Bell schedule (start time/end time)
Elementary school: 7:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m.
Middle school: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
High school: 8:30 a.m.-4:10 p.m.
Important links: Academic calendar | Registration
Back-to-school events for El Paso families
MOB Back-to-School Event
Moms on Board will host a free back-to-school event at Bassett Place featuring backpacks, school supplies and family resources to help students prepare for the upcoming school year. The event will also offer free sports physicals, haircuts, a school uniform swap, vaccines, vendor booths and family-friendly activities.
When: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, July 11
Where: Bassett Place, 6101 Gateway Blvd. West
Cost: Free
Information: mobep.org
Montana Vista Backpack Giveaway
El Paso County Precinct 1 Commissioner Jackie Butler will host a free backpack giveaway to help families prepare for the new school year. Marathon will donate 400 backpacks, while the Underserved Communities Foundation will provide school supplies. The event also includes $10 sports physicals, back-to-school health information and a chance to win El Paso Chihuahuas tickets.
El Paso Police Department Community Fest
The El Paso Police Department will host a free Community Fest featuring backpack and school supply giveaways, family activities and opportunities to connect with local officers and community organizations. The event also includes immunizations, food trucks, music, entertainment and community resource booths.
When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, July 11
Where: Ralph T. Cloud Park, 7975 Willamette Ave.
Cost: Free
Information: joineppd.org
Back-to-School Superheroes Health Fair
Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso will host a free Back-to-School Superheroes Health Fair featuring backpacks, health screenings and family activities to help students prepare for the new school year. The event includes sports physicals, face painting, music, door prizes and opportunities to meet superhero characters. Free backpacks will be distributed to the first 300 children.
Back-to-School Family Symposium
Emergence Health Network and its Child and Adolescent Clinic will host a free Back-to-School Family Symposium to help families prepare for the new school year with a focus on youth mental health and emotional well-being. The event includes school supplies while they last, community resources, hands-on activities, backpacks, parent giveaways and information on behavioral health services available in the community.
When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, July 18
Where: El Paso Starlight Event Center, 6650 Continental Drive, sixth floor
Cost: Free
Information: emergencehealthnetwork.org
16th Annual School Uniform Swap
The Ysleta Lions Club and Five Points Lions Club will host their annual School Uniform Swap, giving families the opportunity to exchange gently used school uniforms and prepare for the upcoming school year. Complimentary eye and hearing screenings will also be available, and families can earn priority vouchers by donating uniforms at designated drop-off locations before the event.
When: 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, July 18
Where: Eastlake High School, 13000 Emerald Pass Ave.
Cost: Free
Information: Socorro ISD Instagram
Back-to-School Bash 2026
The Armed Services YMCA will host a free Back-to-School Bash to help military and local families prepare for the new school year. Registered children ages 3-18 will receive free backpacks and school supplies while enjoying games, sno cones, family activities and community resource booths.
KISS-FM Back-to-School Expo
KISS 93.1 FM will host its annual Back-to-School Expo at Cielo Vista Mall, bringing together vendors, fashion shows, giveaways and family-friendly activities during one of the busiest back-to-school shopping weekends of the year. Visitors can shop for school essentials, enter prize drawings and enjoy live entertainment while learning about local organizations and businesses.
When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, July 25
Where: Cielo Vista Mall, 8401 Gateway Blvd. West
Cost: Free
Information: kisselpaso.com
Tax-free weekend
Families can save on back-to-school shopping during Texas’ annual Sales Tax Holiday, scheduled from Friday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 9. Most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced less than $100 qualify for the sales tax exemption, whether purchased in stores or online from Texas retailers. The exemption applies only to eligible items purchased during the holiday, and there is no limit to the number of qualifying items shoppers may buy. Information: comptroller.texas.gov
UTEP, EPCC and TTHEP fall 2026 dates, financial aid, registration
UTEP and EPCC will start fall courses Monday, Aug. 24. Both institutions started to register students last March. They remind students to submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid or Texas Application for State Financial Aid as soon as possible to be eligible for Pell Grants, student loans and other financial aid.
EPCC, which offers 16-week and eight-week courses, wants students to pay their tuition and fees for full-term and either minimester by Friday, Aug. 7. Late registration for the full-term and minimester I runs Aug. 8-23. Courses for minimester II starts Oct. 19. Late registration for the second session is Aug. 8-Oct. 18.
EPCC students with financial aid questions should contact financial.aid@epcc.edu or 915-831-2561. If they have questions for Admissions and Registration, contact admissions@epcc.edu.
At UTEP, registration will continue through Wednesday, Sept. 9. There will be additional fees for those who register after classes begin. Students on suspension or probation as well as those with insufficient prerequisites must clear their records by Thursday, Aug. 13. Information: Registration and Records, records@utep.edu or 915-747-5544.
Students should get their financial aid Friday, Aug. 14. UTEP will award financial aid until the funds run out. Information: Financial Aid and Scholarships, studentfinancialaid@utep.edu or 915-747-5204.
Texas Tech Health El Paso operates under a different schedule.
The Paul L. Foster School of Medicine began July 6 with a three-week immersion experience. It will be followed by a white coat ceremony Saturday, Aug. 29. The Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine classes also began July 6. Fall classes at the L. Frederick Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences will begin Monday, Aug. 24. The Gayle Greve Hunt School of Nursing classes start Tuesday, Sept. 1.
TTHEP students can direct financial aid questions to elp.financialaid@ttep.edu or 915-215-4370, and their enrollment questions to the Registrar’s Office at epregistrar@ttep.edu or 915-215-4370.
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