New Albany-Plain Local Schools opens Aug. 19, with a staggered start split by last name and grade level. Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools brings all students back Aug. 20.
Here's what each district has planned.
New Albany-Plain Local Schools
NAPLS splits its first week across three days, according to the district calendar confirmed by NBC4's back-to-school list:
- Wednesday, Aug. 19: Grades 1–12, last names A–K
- Thursday, Aug. 20: Grades 1–12, last names L–Z
- Friday, Aug. 21: All pre-K and kindergarten students
Siblings in the same household could start on different days depending on their last names and grade levels. Pre-K and kindergarten families get the building to themselves on Friday.
Once classes resume Aug. 19, the Plain Township Aquatic Center will close on school days and shift to weekend-only hours through Labor Day, Plain Township said on X on Aug. 6.
Parking and construction
Student parking on Swickard Woods Boulevard is limited this year because of a K-2 building under construction at 7650 Swickard Woods Blvd. The City of New Albany has warned families about the restrictions and reminded drivers to observe school-zone rules, as we reported Aug. 5.
Vaccination records
With 59 confirmed measles cases statewide in 2026 and nearly half in Franklin and Knox counties, health officials have urged NAPLS families to verify their children's vaccination records before the first day. We covered that push in our Aug. 6 report on Ohio's measles outbreak.
Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools
Gahanna-Jefferson brings all students back on a single day: Aug. 20. No staggered schedule. The district runs seven elementary schools, three middle schools, one preschool and Gahanna Lincoln High School, according to the GJPS district calendar.
The Gahanna-Jefferson Board of Education also meets that evening at Clark Hall, 380 Granville St. The last day of school for GJPS students is May 27, 2027.
NAPLS board meeting Monday, Aug. 10
Before school starts, the NAPLS Board of Education meets Monday, Aug. 10, where newly appointed member Jeremy Nicholas will be sworn in. Nicholas was selected from seven candidates on July 20 to fill the seat vacated by John McClelland, who resigned after serving on the board since 2013 to join New Albany City Council.
The board said in a July 21 statement that it was grateful for the strong community interest and the quality of the seven candidates who applied.
Following McClelland's departure, the board elected Jennifer Fuller as president and Mark Wilson as vice president at a July 24 special meeting. Nicholas must run for election in November 2027 to serve the remainder of the term, which expires Dec. 31, 2029.
The Aug. 10 meeting will be held at the District Administrative Office, 55 N. High St., New Albany.
