Be Ready Day One 2025

Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, July 29, 2025, as follows:

Academy for Advanced Studies: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
High Schools: 1 – 3 p.m.
Middle Schools: 3 – 5 p.m.
Elementary Schools: 5 – 7 p.m.

The first day of school is Thursday, July 31, 2025, and the full academic calendar is available on the district website.
 

School start and end times are as follows:

• Elementary Schools: 7:35 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
• Middle Schools: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• High Schools: 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
• Academy for Advanced Studies: 7:45 a.m. – 12:50 p.m.

As a reminder, the first day of school is July 31, 2025. Visit the Be Ready Day One webpage for more information on preparing for the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

Information may be updated online or in person. Resources and support for enrollment and additional family and student services are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the HCS Welcome Center, located at 166 Holly Smith Dr. in McDonough. Extended hours until 6 p.m. are available on July 24-25 and 28-30. For more information, contact the Welcome Center at 770-957-3945.

The Before and After School Enrichment (BASE) Program provides tuition-based programs for elementary and middle school students. Before-school programs support early drop-off for middle school families and provide a safe, structured environment to prepare students for learning. After-school programs offer elementary-aged students a safe and supportive environment following afternoon dismissal. Visit the BASE Program webpage for more information. 

All enrolled HCS students are required to have a valid Form 3231, with medical exemption, or the notarized religious exemption Form 2208 for enrollment. Students also need the Ear, Eye, Dental and Nutrition Screening Form 3300. Please note: HCS staff cannot notarize any forms.

There are special requirements for all 7th- and 11th-grade students. For more information regarding school vaccinations, visit dph.georgia.gov/schoolvaccines. Students not in compliance are subject to withdrawal from school in accordance with Henry County Board of Education Policy JBCD and Regulation JBCD (R)1.

The Language Services team provides language assistance to families, schools, and district offices. Families may request language translation services from school or the Language Services Department at 770-957-3945, or languageservices@henry.k12.ga.us. The department is located at the HCS Welcome Center, located at 166 Holly Smith Dr. in McDonough. HCS provides Student and Parent Handbooks in multiple languages, along with registration, enrollment, and other documents.

*Translated versions of the Student and Parent Handbook will be available soon.

Special Education services are provided to meet the needs of students with disabilities and for students in all eligibility areas recognized by the State of Georgia. If you suspect that your child may need these services, contact the Principal or Student Support Facilitator at the school. For more information on IEPs, contact the Exceptional Student Education Department at 770-957-8086.

Across Henry County Schools, the safety and security of our students and staff is our number one priority. The district takes a comprehensive, multi-layered approach to school safety consisting of campus security investments, behavior and conduct expectations, and safe practices. It takes our entire community working together to keep our children safe and healthy. Visit the School Safety and Security webpage or watch the July 18 episode of “Catch the Pace” to learn more about safety and security measures for the 2025-2026 school year.

The Infinite Campus Portal (also known as the “Parent Portal”) is a web-based program that provides parents and guardians the ability to view academic information for their student(s). The Parent Portal also allows families to update contact information, request transportation, and complete the federal lunch application. The portal can be accessed via the web or a mobile app. View the Infinite Campus Quick Guide. 

Ready to Log In? Campus Portal Link

Instructions on finding bus routes are available on the Bus Route Information webpage, and all families are encouraged to sign up for the Here Comes the Bus mobile application. The HCS school code is 29902. The app is available in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. If you have any questions, please contact the Transportation Department at 770-957-2025.

Attendance matters from Day One! To ensure accurate student enrollment and support services, students who are absent without a written excuse on all of the first three days of school may have to complete re-enrollment processes and lose their class schedule. Learn more about revised districtwide attendance practices on our Attendance Matters webpage, or view Regulation JBD-R(1) in the Henry County Board Policy Manual.

Digital versions of the 2025-2026 Student and Parent Handbook are available on the HCS website. The 2025-2026 Code of Conduct can be found within the Student and Parent Handbook. Additionally, hard copies are available in school front offices and at the HCS Welcome Center.

Henry County Schools uses online payment system LINQ Connect to accept payments for school lunch. Additionally, the application for free and reduced meals for 2025-2026 is available in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Learn more about LINQ Connect, Free and Reduced Lunch, view menus, and more on the School Nutrition webpages.

School supply lists vary by school, grade level, and classroom. Please check your school website and social media for updates. Information may also be obtained during Open House on Tuesday, July 29.

School counselors, social workers, Mental Health and Wellness Facilitators, and school psychologists are available in all schools for students and staff. School counselors and social workers can provide referrals to outside mental health clinicians for more intensive ongoing therapeutic services. The Georgia Crisis and Access Line (1-800-715-4225) and 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are free resources available 24/7 to assist families experiencing a behavioral or mental health crisis.

Georgia House Bill 340, known as the Distraction-Free Education Act, passed earlier this year. In compliance with the new law, HCS adopted Board Policy JCDAF, which goes into effect for the 2025-2026 school year. This policy states that students in grades K-12 are not permitted to display or use a cell phone, smartwatch, or other electronic communication devices on school property during the school day without the consent of the principal or his/her designee. Any student found in violation of this policy shall be subject to the Code of Conduct.
 

In-Person students:
Students may contact their school's technology staff during normal school hours in order to troubleshoot issues with their device. If the issue is happening outside of school hours, students or parents/guardians may submit a ticket through our Student Technology Help Desk. The ticket will be routed to the Technology Personnel assigned to the student's school and reviewed during normal school hours. Updates on the status of the ticket will be sent to the student's HCS email account or you can monitor progress on the ticket by logging back into the Student Technology Help Desk.

Impact Academy students:
Students or parents/guardians may submit a ticket through our Student Technology Help Desk. The ticket will be routed to the Technology Personnel assigned to the student's school and reviewed during normal school hours. Updates on the status of the ticket will be sent to the student's HCS email account or you can monitor progress on the ticket by logging back into the Student Technology Help Desk.

If you need to make an appointment at a school, please contact your school directly. School contact information can be found in the footer of each school website by navigating through the "Schools" dropdown menu at the top of the page.

As we head back to school on July 31, 2025, here are a few reminders for our entire community:

• Please be aware of buses loading and unloading and slow down in school zones.
• Please be patient and allow extra time for increased traffic in the mornings and afternoons as our students, families, and staff settle back into their routines.
• Please pay attention to our crossing guards as they work to ease the flow of traffic and ensure the safety of all drivers and pedestrians.