📚 Back-to-School Preparations in Avoyelles! 🎒

Avoyelles Parish families are preparing for the start of another school year as public, charter and Catholic schools across the parish release back-to-school dates, open house plans, supply information and calendar reminders.

Avoyelles Parish public schools will welcome students back Thursday, Aug. 6. The last day for public school students is scheduled for May 26, 2027. Public schools in Avoyelles Parish operate on a Tuesday through Friday instructional week, with Mondays generally reserved for staff development, planning or non-instructional days unless otherwise announced by the district.

Catholic schools in Avoyelles Parish operate Monday through Friday. Before the first day of school, families are encouraged to complete registration, review dress code and backpack rules, check transportation plans, review school supply information and attend open house events when available.

Back-to-school resources

Avoyelles Parish schools have provided a Back-to-School Resources page at www.avoyellespsb.com/bactoschool. The page includes school supplies, fee schedules, dress code information, transportation updates, open house dates, school contacts, bell schedules and other school year information.

School supplies

For the 2026-2027 school year, Avoyelles Parish schools will purchase initial school supplies for students in Pre-K through sixth grade. Families may still need to provide personal items such as headphones, water bottles, uniforms or other school-specific items required by their child’s school.

Parents of students in grades seven through 12 will be responsible for purchasing supplies as approved by each school principal. Supply costs for students in grades seven through 12 may not exceed $30 per student. Chromebook replacement, repair or charger fees may apply if school technology items are lost or damaged.

Backpack rules will also remain important for families to review. Elementary students must have clear backpacks. High school students may use clear or mesh backpacks. AVAP students are not allowed to bring book sacks. Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy and Riverside Elementary School students will have book sacks provided.

Transportation and bus tracking

Families should also review transportation plans before school begins. Regular education bus drivers will no longer travel down dead-end roads that require backing up to turn around. Only special needs buses with a bus aide may reverse when necessary. Regular education buses may only back up in emergency situations and with prior permission.

Parents can find bus routes by block at www.avoyellespsb.com. Families with transportation questions may contact the transportation department at 318-240-0235 or email trent.young@avoyellespsb.com.

Avoyelles Parish schools also offers the NFT Parent View mobile app, which allows parents and guardians to track their child’s school bus in real time. The app provides bus location information, estimated arrival times and transportation notifications to help families plan for pickup and drop-off times.

Public School hours

Daily school hours vary by campus, and families should check their child’s school directly or visit the district’s bell schedule page for the most current start and dismissal times.

| School Name | Start Time | Dismissal Time | |-------------|------------|----------------| | Cottonport Elementary | 7:55 a.m. | 4:05 p.m. | | Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy | 7:45 a.m. | 3:05 p.m. | | Marksville Elementary | 7:45 a.m. | 4:05 - 4:10 p.m. | | Plaucheville Elementary | 7:45 a.m. | 4:05 - 4:10 p.m. | | Riverside Elementary | 7:45 a.m. | 4:05 - 4:10 p.m. | | Lafargue Elementary | 7:50 a.m. | 4:05 p.m. |

High school schedules vary by campus.

| School Name | Start Time | Dismissal Time | |-------------|------------|----------------| | Marksville High School | 7:20 a.m. | 4:02 p.m. | | Bunkie Magnet High School | 7:24 a.m. | 4:05 p.m. | | Avoyelles High School | 7:25 a.m. | 4:05 p.m. | | Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences | 7:40 a.m. | 3:50 p.m. | | Avoyelles Virtual School | 7:15 a.m. | 3:30 p.m. |

Catholic school hours

Catholic school hours also vary by campus.

| School Name | Start Time | Dismissal Time | |-------------|------------|----------------| | St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School | 7:50 a.m. | 3:00 p.m. | | St. Mary’s Assumption School | 7:45 a.m. | 2:50 p.m. | | St. Joseph Catholic Elementary and High School | 8:00 a.m. | 3:00 p.m. | | Sacred Heart Catholic School | 8:00 a.m. | 3:00 p.m. |

Important calendar dates

Important public school calendar dates include progress reports on Sept. 4, Nov. 11, Feb. 4 and April 23. The first nine weeks ends Oct. 7, with report card night set for Oct. 15. The second nine weeks ends Dec. 18. The third nine weeks begins Jan. 6 and ends March 10, with report card night set for March 18. Senior finals are scheduled for May 11-12.

Holiday breaks include: - Election Day on Nov. 3 - Veterans Day on Nov. 10 - Thanksgiving break from Nov. 23-27 - Christmas break from Dec. 21-Jan. 1 - Mardi Gras holidays on Feb. 8-9 - Easter break from March 26-April 2

Public School open house dates

Open house events will give families an opportunity to visit campuses, meet school staff and prepare for the start of the year.

| School Name | Date | Time | |-------------|------|------| | Bunkie Elementary Learning Academy | Aug. 3 | 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | | Cottonport Elementary School | Aug. 4 | 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | | Marksville Elementary School | Aug. 4 | 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | | Lafargue Elementary School | Aug. 4 | 5:30 p.m. | | Plaucheville Elementary School | Aug. 4 | 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | | Riverside Elementary School | Aug. 5 | 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | | Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences | Aug. 3 | 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. | | Avoyelles High School | Aug. 4 | 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. | | Bunkie Magnet High School | Aug. 4 | 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | | Marksville High School | Aug. 3 | 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. |

Families may contact their child’s school directly for the latest open house information.

Summer Reading Reminder

Avoyelles Parish public school students must complete their summer reading assignment before returning to school. Students are required to read two books from their grade-level list and complete one activity for each book. Families can find reading lists, assignment directions and digital reading resources at www.avoyellespsb.com/summerreading.

Avoyelles Public Charter School

Avoyelles Public Charter School in Mansura will begin its 2026-2027 school year July 27, and end May 26, 2027. The deadline for the school year has passed, but families interested in placing a child on the waiting list may visit apcs.us to complete the applicable form and return it to APCS.

Catholic school dates

Catholic schools across Avoyelles Parish will also begin welcoming students back in early August.

Sacred Heart Catholic School in Moreauville will begin its 2026-2027 school year Wednesday, Aug. 5, which is the first full day for students. The school year is scheduled to end May 21, 2027. Sacred Heart will hold Early Childhood Parent Orientation Monday, Aug. 3, at 6 p.m. in the gym. Early Childhood Supply Drop-Off will be held Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. An official open house event for the upcoming term has not yet been posted on the school calendar, but the school traditionally hosts its main public open house during Catholic Schools Week in late January.

St. Joseph Catholic Elementary and High School in Plaucheville will begin classes Aug. 12. The school year is scheduled to end May 27, 2027, with early dismissal. St. Joseph does not have a public back-to-school open house officially posted on its main calendar. The school has historically hosted prospective student open house events during National Catholic Schools Week, typically in late January or early February. Families should check the St. Joseph School FACTS Family Portal for class details, scheduling and school updates.

St. Mary’s Assumption School in Cottonport will welcome students back Tuesday, Aug. 4. The school year is scheduled to end May 26, 2027. St. Mary’s will hold open house Aug. 30 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The school is also looking forward to a year of growth under its new principal, Mike Rachal. Families should watch for school dates on staff development days, report cards, progress reports, holidays and other calendar reminders.

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School in Bunkie will begin the school year for kindergarten through eighth grade on Fri., Aug. 7. Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 girls will attend Mon., Aug. 10. Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 boys will attend Tues., Aug. 11. All students, Pre-K 3 through eighth grade, will attend Wed., Aug. 12. St. Anthony’s last day for students is scheduled for May 26, 2027.

More Information

Parents with questions should contact their child’s school directly or call Avoyelles Parish School Board at 318-253-5982.