Central Bucks Welcomes Students Back For 2025-26 School Year

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Students in the Central Bucks School District returned to the classroom on Tuesday officially launching the 2025-26 school year.

"We are excited for a year of growth, connection, and excellence. We’re glad our students are back, and we’re ready to get started," said substitute superintendent Dr. Charles Malone.

"Our dedicated teachers and staff have been working hard to prepare buildings and classrooms, plan engaging lessons and activities, and create a welcoming environment for all students. This commitment to nurturing academic growth and emotional well-being is at the heart of everything we do."

He continued, "As we start the school year, we reaffirm the values that guide us: transparency, professionalism, wellness, and engagement. Families are essential partners in this mission, and building and sustaining their trust and involvement is vital for every student to have the opportunity to thrive."

First day of school at Groveland Elementary. (Central Bucks School District)

First day of school at Gayman Elementary. (Central Bucks School District)

According to Dr. Malone, "This year brings important and exciting milestones. We’re pioneering our full-day kindergarten program in six schools before we fully launch across the district in 2026-27."

Cold Spring, Doyle, Groveland, Jamison, Kutz, and Mill Creek elementary schools will be pioneering full-day kindergarten in advance of the district wide roll out.

District officials said the schools were "carefully selected" based on three main criteria: each has adequate space to accommodate full-day kindergarten classrooms; the school’s students, environment, size, and demographics represent a diverse cross-section of the district; and the schools represent all three attendance areas for the district's middle and high schools.

Building renovation projects are also underway throughout the district in preparation for grade realignment, also beginning in 2026-27 school year.

Under the grade realignment, the district will move sixth grade into the middle schools and ninth grade into the high schools.

Arriving for school at Tohickon Middle School in Plumstead. (Central Bucks School District)

Groveland teachers ready for the new school year. (Central Bucks School District)

"Both changes will strengthen academic and social opportunities for students," said Dr. Malone. "A main focus this year will be on ensuring a successful launch for both FDK and grade realignment."

In addition to the building renovation projects, summer capital projects have included a resurfaced parking lot at CB South with improved parent drop-off; new speed limit signs at Titus; new playgrounds at Gayman and Mill Creek; and new sidewalks at Cold Spring.

While capital projects were moving forward outside, inside the district school buldings, staff participated in a busy summer of workshop and training sessions in preparation for the year ahead. Some of the sessions included curricular and departmental workshops for the upcoming grade realignment; "Lessons in Leadership" for aspiring educational leaders; and sessions dedicated to special education, climate and behavior in addition to a first-of-its-kind CARES training for district administrators.

A La Carte Increase

In other back to school news, due to market pressures, including rising costs from the district's suppliers and the general impact of inflation, a la carte food prices are increasing beginning with the new school year. "This is the first time in five years that a la cart prices are increasing. Prices for school meals are not increasing," said district officials.

Updated Calendar

The school board in August approved an updated calendar that corrects the date on the 2025-26 school calendar for Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, on Monday, October 20. The board also approved an updated calendar for 2026-27 that corrects the date for the Islamic Festival of Eid al-Fitre to March 10, 2027.

Transportation Contract

The school district has approved a contract with the Central Bucks Transportation Association, which represents the district's bus drivers. The new four year agreement provides a wage increase of four percent in each of the next three years followed by a six percent increase in the 2028-29 school year.

New SRO At CB West

Central Bucks Regional Police Officer Juliana Greco is the new Student Resource Officer at Central Bucks West. “Our new SRO is ready for a great year at CB West High School. She is here to make sure our kids are safe, cared for, and ready for an amazing year ahead,” says a Facebook posting by the police department.

Settling in for a new school year at Tohickon Middle School. (Central Bucks School District)

Arriving for school at Butler Elementary. (Central Bucks School District)