Lucio Vasquez/Houston Public Media
Row of school buses. Taken on December 18, 2019.
August is here, which means Houston-area children and their families are beginning the annual transition from summer back to school.
Parents looking to buy last-minute school supplies may want to go shopping this weekend to take advantage of a statewide sales tax holiday. From Aug. 7-9, most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks valued at $100 or less qualify for a sales tax exemption, according to the Texas Comptroller’s Office. Qualifying items can be purchased tax-free from Texas stores in person or online from companies conducting business in the state.
Here is when many Houston-area school districts open for their first day of classes for the 2026-27 academic year, with districts listed by date:
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Wednesday, Aug. 5
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Monday, Aug. 10:
Galveston ISD
Houston ISD
North Forest ISD
Tuesday, Aug. 11:
Clear Creek ISD (6th grade, 9th grade and pre-kindergarten)
Fort Bend ISD
Waller ISD
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Wednesday, Aug. 12:
Aldine ISD
Alief ISD
Barbers Hill ISD
Channelview ISD
Clear Creek ISD (all other grades except 6th, 9th and pre-K)
Conroe ISD
Cy-Fair ISD
Deer Park ISD
Galena Park ISD
Goose Creek ISD
Huffman ISD
Humble ISD
Katy ISD
Klein ISD
Montgomery ISD
Sheldon ISD
Spring ISD
Thursday, Aug. 13:
La Porte ISD
Pasadena ISD
Spring Branch ISD
Tuesday, Aug. 18:
Wednesday, Aug. 19: