School start dates, orientations for 2026-27

EPHRATA — As summer draws to a close, kids everywhere are getting ready for that first bell ringing in the hallway — back to school!

Locally, Soap Lake students will be the first to return to the classroom for their 2026-27 year, followed a week later by Ephrata kids.

Four schools open under new leadership in the two communities.

Soap Lake hired principals for both of its buildings — Rebecca Lundgren at the high school/middle school and Erin Allen at the elementary school.

In Ephrata, Christopher Jensen takes over at Columbia Ridge Elementary and Aaron Cummings returns to Parkway Intermediate as principal after serving as Ephrata's assistant superintendent since 2024.

Students in both districts eat free again this year through the Community Eligibility Provision, a federal program that enables qualifying schools to provide breakfast and lunch to all students at no charge.

Soap Lake

The district will host a back-to-school open house and community dinner on Monday, Aug. 24, from 5-6:30 p.m.

At the high school, the Eagles football program began practices this Wednesday, Aug. 19. The Lady Eagles volleyball program follows on Monday, Aug. 24, in line with WIAA guidelines. Middle school football and girls basketball first practices happen on Aug. 31. Soap Lake's middle and high school sports schedules can be found here.

Ephrata

All five schools will be open on Monday, Aug. 31 and Tuesday, Sept. 1 for family and student orientations for grades 1-12. Kindergarten orientations run Monday, Aug. 31 through Friday, Sept. 4 at Columbia Ridge and Grant Elementary schools.

Families should register for orientation times through their parent Skyward account — of note, the orientation conference counts as attendance. At the high school, student photos are taken taken during their conference time.

Incoming high school freshmen get a morning of their own for orientation. Freshman Launch runs from 8-11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2 with students convening in the main gym. EHS counselor Jay Mills said the event will be a session of games and team-building led by the school's LINK Crew — upperclassmen mentors trained to guide the Class of 2030 through its first year at EHS.

Ephrata sports follow the WIAA practice start schedule: football began Aug. 19; all other sports and activities begin Monday, Aug. 24. Athletes at both EMS and EHS register through FinalForms; physicals are good for two years and the ASB fee is paid at the school’s office; fee waivers are available for eligible students.

Varsity sports kick off home competition the first week of school. The Lady Tigers volleyball team hosts Omak at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1. Girls soccer welcomes West Valley (Spokane) at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3. Football opens on Kiwanis Field at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4 against Selah. Cross country is further out, with the Tigers making their home debut at the Lakeview Golf & Country Club by hosting Ellensburg and Quincy at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8. Full athletic schedules can be found here.

Ephrata's Tiger Cub Preschool program is open to children living within the school district who will be 3 or 4 years old by Aug. 31 and meet eligibility guidelines. Those include families with low annual income or children with developmental or environmental risk factors that may affect school success. The preschool will begin Sept. 21 and run weekdays with separate morning and afternoon sessions.

St. Rose of Lima

St. Rose, previously serving preschool through sixth grade students adds a seventh grade program for the 2026-2027 school year. Supply drop-off and meet-your-teacher is Tuesday, Sept. 1, back-to-school night follows at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9.

New Life Christian

New Life runs a similar bell schedule, set apart by an early noon release every Friday.

The school takes students from KinderPrep through 12th grade. Back-to-school night is Monday, Aug. 31 and an open house follows Thursday, Oct. 15.