DCG Back to School: 2026-27 Dates, Registration, Supplies

The short version

First day2026-27 began August 24 (TK to 12); preschool August 31
Last dayMay 28, 2027 if no snow days; graduation May 21
BreaksWinter Dec 21 to Jan 1; spring March 15 to 19
Early outsEvery Wednesday at 1 p.m.
RegistrationOpens February 1 for 2027-28

Key dates

When does school start and end in Dallas Center-Grimes?

For 2026-27, the first day for transitional kindergarten through 12th grade was Monday, August 24, 2026, and preschool started August 31. The last day is Friday, May 28, 2027, if there are no snow days, and graduation is May 21. School lets out at 1 p.m. every Wednesday all year.

First day (TK to 12)Aug 24, 2026

First day (preschool)Aug 31, 2026

GraduationMay 21, 2027

Last dayMay 28, 2027

Registration for 2027-28Opens Feb 1

When are the 2026-27 breaks and days off?

Here are the no-school days from the district's calendar. The full list, with quarter dates, is in our DCG school calendar guide.

Monday, October 26: teacher workday
Friday, November 13: teacher comp day, after PK to 8 conferences November 9 and 12 (4 to 8 p.m.)
November 25 to 27: Thanksgiving break
December 21 to January 1: winter break
Friday, January 15: teacher workday. Monday, January 18: MLK Day
Friday, February 26: no school for PK to 6. Grades 7 to 12 are in session.
Friday, March 12: teacher comp day. March 15 to 19: spring break
Monday, March 29: no school for grades 7 to 12. PK to 6 is in session.
Monday, May 31: Memorial Day

High school parent-teacher conferences are September 24, December 10, March 4, and April 29. September 7 (Labor Day) was the first day off.

The school day

What time does school start at DCG?

It depends on the building. The bell schedules the district posts:

DCG High School, regular day8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Oak View (2025-26 schedule)7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Transitional kindergarten8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Every WednesdayOut at 1 p.m.

Elementary drop-off and pickup times are on each building's page under Arrival and Dismissal. For before- and after-school care at each elementary, see our daycare guide.

The to-do list

How do I register for Dallas Center-Grimes schools?

Online, through Infinite Campus. Registration opens February 1 each year for the following school year.

New families: start at the DCG School Registration page. Have a digital copy of your child's immunization record, proof of birth, and proof of residency, such as a utility bill or lease. Allow two business days for processing, and your child's school will email you next steps. No computer? There's a kiosk at the district office, 2405 W 1st St, open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or by appointment.
Current families: log in to the Parent Portal, choose "more," then online registration. Register every child at once, including a new kindergartner or preschooler, using "Add New Student."
Fees: the annual book and technology fee posts in the Parent Portal the first week of July.
Moving in mid-year: complete the registration and email enrollment@dcgschools.com.
Preschool: sign-ups run February 1 to 15. Open enrollment from another district is due March 1 (September 1 for kindergarten). The 2027-28 form is already posted.

Part of northeast Grimes is in the Johnston district, not DCG. Check DCG's District Boundaries map before you register.

Supplies and lunch

Where are the DCG school supply lists?

On the district's School Supplies page, by grade, updated for 2026-27. Preschool has no required supplies. Expect your teacher to ask for refills partway through the year. Kindergarten's list, for example, includes a large book bag, Fiskars 5-inch scissors, Ticonderoga pencils, four 24-count boxes of Crayola crayons, headphones with a standard jack, and a water bottle.

How much is school lunch at DCG?

For 2026-27, student lunch is $3.50 for K to 6 and $3.60 for grades 7 to 12. Student breakfast is $2.25, milk is 55 cents, and an adult lunch is $5.15. Seconds and a la carte items are charged to the student's account. Menus are on Nutrislice, and each building posts monthly gluten-free and dairy-free menus. More in our school lunch guide, and see our schools guide for the buildings.

Quick answers

DCG back to school: FAQ

When does school start in Dallas Center-Grimes?

For the 2026-27 year, the first day for transitional kindergarten through 12th grade was August 24, 2026, with preschool beginning August 31. DCG typically starts in late August; check the district calendar for each year's exact date.

When does DCG registration open?

Online registration for the coming school year opens February 1 each year through the Dallas Center-Grimes district's Infinite Campus system. Preschool registration runs February 1 to 15.

When is the last day of school for DCG in 2027?

The last day of the 2026-27 school year is May 28, 2027, if there are no snow days. Graduation is May 21, 2027.

When is DCG spring break in 2027?

Dallas Center-Grimes spring break is March 15 to 19, 2027. Winter break is December 21, 2026, to January 1, 2027, and Thanksgiving break is November 25 to 27, 2026.

Does DCG have early dismissal on Wednesdays?

Yes. Dallas Center-Grimes schools dismiss at 1 p.m. every Wednesday during the 2026-27 school year.

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Sources: Dallas Center-Grimes CSD 2026-27 school year calendar, school registration, school supplies, nutrition services, transitional kindergarten, preschool, high school bell schedule and Oak View bell schedule (dcgschools.com). Dates are for the year noted and change annually, confirm on the district calendar. Updated October 2026.

Back-to-school in Grimes: the DCG dates, registration, and supplies.