Students, teachers return for the 2025-2026 school year

Smiles, backpacks and a buzz of excitement marked the first day of school Tuesday morning as thousands of students returned to classrooms across North Idaho.

Amid the joyful chaos, Aston Rehms, a freshman at Lake City High School, was trying to learn where his classes were inside the big building.

“It feels a lot different than middle school with the block scheduling,” Aston said. “I am a little nervous.”

At elementary schools, families lined up early to walk their children inside, snapping photos at school entrances. Teachers greeted students with fist bumps and warm introductions, helping ease first-day nerves for new kindergartners while encouraging returning students to jump back into routines.

Kannon Lotero said he was excited for his first day of kindergarten at Skyway Elementary School. His family walked him into the school to mark the milestone. 

Middle and high schools were also energized as students reconnected with friends, picked up schedules and adjusted to new classes. Principals and staff welcomed students at the doors, setting a positive tone for the year ahead, 

Coeur d'Alene Superintendent Shon Hocker said the first day is always one of his favorite traditions. 

“There’s something special about the beginning of the year," he said. "Our students bring hope and possibility into our schools and our teachers and staff are ready to help them grow every step of the way.”

Don Walters, who teaches government at Coeur d’Alene High School, said he is looking forward to the new year. 

“I had a great summer and I am looking forward to a great year,” he said.

Nearly 9,500 students across 17 schools in Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Dalton Garden and rural Kootenai County showed up on the first day of school in the Coeur d'Alene School District. 

School board trustees and administrators delivered dozens of apples to teachers and staff Tuesday morning, a tradition that spans back years.

“The first day feels great,” said Kuhns, an art teacher at Coeur d'Alene High. “I am looking forward to meeting the students.”

Back-to-school spirits were also high in the Lakeland Joint School District, home to six elementary schools, two middle schools and three high schools in communities on the north side of Kootenai County. Principals high-fived students, elementary schoolers shared why they are excited about the school year and friends reconnected on the playgrounds.

    Aston Rehms, a freshman at Lake City High School, worked on finding his classes inside the big building Tuesday on the first day back to school. “It feels a lot different than middle school with the block scheduling," he said. “I am a little nervous.”
  

    Coeur d'Alene High library media specialist Kiersten Kerr receives an apple Tuesday as part of the annual back-to-school tradition in the Coeur d'Alene School District.
  

    Betty Kiefer Elementary fourth grader Blake Gorton works on her "I am excited about this school year because…" worksheet Tuesday during the first day of school.
  

    Kindergartner Kannon Lotero begins his K-12 career at Skyway Elementary as class resumes Tuesday across North Idaho.