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Back to school: Registration, first day of classes across El Paso [1]

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Date: 2025-07-10

The 2025-26 school year is fast approaching, and El Paso-area school districts are entering the new academic year amid leadership transitions, budget strains and long-term financial uncertainty. Concurrently, state-level education reforms passed during the most recent Texas legislative session will introduce new rules on everything from cellphones to teacher pay, shaping the experience of students, educators and families across the region.

El Paso ISD is starting the year without a permanent superintendent after Diana Sayavedra announced her retirement in June, following a split school board vote. The district recently approved a $551 million budget that includes teacher raises but carries a $6 million deficit. Meanwhile, equity advocates say the district’s long-awaited equity audit fell short of its goals, prompting renewed calls for community accountability.

In Socorro ISD, trustees named James Vasquez as the lone finalist for superintendent while also adopting a budget for the upcoming year. Canutillo ISD approved a balanced budget, and Ysleta ISD moved forward with employee raises despite projecting a deficit that will deplete its reserves.

All districts are also preparing for the implications of Texas’ new school finance legislation, which provides an $8.5 billion boost to Texas public schools, increasing teacher pay, overhauling special education funding, and raising the amount schools receive per student. But House Bill 2 does not address long-standing concerns about inflation or the expiration of federal pandemic aid.

Lawmakers also approved the launch of one of the nation’s largest private school voucher programs, which will begin in fall 2026 and allow families — including those already in private school — to use public funds to cover tuition and other educational costs.

Students will also notice new rules on campus: Under a newly passed law, cellphones are now banned during the school day, with the goal of reducing distractions and improving focus. Additionally, the state extended its ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs to K-12 schools, including restrictions on certain student clubs and new requirements for parental consent.

Efforts to replace the state’s high-stakes STAAR exam with shorter tests ultimately failed during the legislative session, meaning students will continue to take the same standardized assessments used to evaluate academic performance and school accountability.

El Paso public school start dates, bell schedules 2025

Here’s what you need to know about key dates, start times and registration links for each El Paso-area school district:

Anthony ISD

First day of school: Monday, July 28

Monday, July 28 Bell schedule (start time/end time) Elementary school: 7:30 a.m.-3:10 p.m. Middle school: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. High school: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Important links: Academic calendar | Registration

Canutillo ISD

First day of school: Monday, Aug. 4

Monday, Aug. 4 Bell schedule (start time/end time) Elementary school: 7:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Middle school: 8 a.m.-3:50 p.m. High school: 8:30 a.m.-4:05 p.m.

Registration: Academic calendar | Registration

Clint ISD

First day of school: Monday, July 21

Monday, July 21 Bell schedule (start time/end time) Elementary school: 7:20 a.m.-3 p.m. Middle school: 8:30 a.m.-3:50 p.m. High school: 8:30 a.m.-4:05 p.m.

Registration: Academic calendar | Registration

El Paso ISD

First day of school: Monday, Aug. 4

Monday, Aug. 4 Bell schedule (start time/end time) Elementary school: 8:15 a.m.-3:25 p.m. Middle school: 7:50 a.m.-3 p.m. High school: 8:45 a.m.-4:10 p.m.

Important links: Academic calendar | Registration

Fabens ISD

First day of school: Monday, Aug. 4

Monday, Aug. 4 Bell schedule (start time/end time) Elementary school: 7:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Middle school: 8 a.m.-3:32 p.m. High school: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Registration: Academic calendar | Registration

San Elizario ISD

First day of school: Tuesday, July 22

Tuesday, July 22 Bell schedule (start time/end time) Elementary school: 7:20 a.m.-4:05 p.m. Middle school: 8:05 a.m.-4:50 p.m. High school: 8:05 a.m.-4:50 p.m.

Registration: Academic calendar | Registration

Socorro ISD

First day of school: Monday, July 28

Monday, July 28 Bell schedule (start time/end time) Elementary school: 7:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Middle school: 7:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. High school: 8:30 a.m.-4:10 p.m.

Important links: Academic calendar | Registration

Tornillo ISD

First day of school: Monday, July 28

Monday, July 28 Bell schedule (start time/end time) Elementary school: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Middle school: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. High school: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Registration: Academic calendar | Registration

Ysleta ISD

First day of school: Monday, July 28

Monday, July 28 Bell schedule (start time/end time) Elementary school: 7:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m. Middle school: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. High school: 8:30 a.m.-4:10 p.m.

Important links: Academic calendar | Registration

Back-to-school events and tax-free weekend for El Paso families

MOB uniform swap Families looking to get a head start on school prep can take advantage of a one-stop-shop event hosted by Moms on Board from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 12, at Bassett Place, 6101 Gateway Blvd. West. The annual Back-to-School Event features a uniform exchange, free haircuts, sports physicals, educational activities and school supplies — including backpacks and 500 new pairs of shoes. Organizers expect more than 700 families to attend the free event, which also offers vendor opportunities for local businesses and nonprofits. Information: epcf.org

Tax-free weekend Families looking to save on back-to-school shopping will have an opportunity to do so during Texas’ annual sales tax holiday, which is scheduled Friday, Aug. 8 through Sunday, Aug. 10. During this weekend, most clothing, footwear, backpacks and school supplies priced under $100 can be purchased tax-free in stores or online from businesses operating in Texas. The exemption applies only to eligible items bought during the holiday period. Purchases made before or after those dates do not qualify. Information: comptroller.texas.gov

Back to School Fiesta El Paso ISD will host its third annual Back to School Fiesta from July 29 to 31, with evening celebrations planned at each of the district’s high schools. The events, scheduled from 6 to 7:30 p.m., aim to connect families, students and staff from each campus and its feeder schools. Attendees can expect school-specific activities and informational booths. High schools participating include Burges, El Paso, Irvin and Jefferson on July 29; Coronado and Franklin on July 30; and Andress, Austin, Bowie and Chapin on July 31. Information: episd.or

More changes coming to Texas schools Discipline policies expanded: Schools now have more flexibility to issue in-school and out-of-school suspensions, including for younger and homeless students. In-school suspensions can last longer and some students may be placed in alternative education settings for extended periods.

Schools now have more flexibility to issue in-school and out-of-school suspensions, including for younger and homeless students. In-school suspensions can last longer and some students may be placed in alternative education settings for extended periods. Ten Commandments in classrooms: Public schools must display the Ten Commandments in classrooms if a donated poster is provided. Schools may also offer students and staff a daily moment of prayer or religious reading, with parental consent.

Public schools must display the Ten Commandments in classrooms if a donated poster is provided. Schools may also offer students and staff a daily moment of prayer or religious reading, with parental consent. New early learning supports: Schools are now required to use reading and math screeners for students from pre-K to third grade three times a year to identify those who need additional tutoring and intervention.

Schools are now required to use reading and math screeners for students from pre-K to third grade three times a year to identify those who need additional tutoring and intervention. Increased oversight of library materials: Parents and school boards have greater authority to challenge and remove books from school libraries. Districts may also form advisory councils to review materials if enough parents petition for one.

UTEP, EPCC and TTHEP all 2025 dates, financial aid and registration

UTEP and EPCC will start courses Monday, Aug. 25. Both institutions started to register students last March. They remind students to submit their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid) as soon as possible to be eligible for Pell Grants, student loans and other financial aid.

EPCC, which offers 16-week and eight-week courses, wants students to pay their tuition and fees for full-term and either minimester by Friday, Aug. 8. Late registration for the full-term and minimester I runs Aug. 9-24. Courses for minimester II starts Oct. 20. Late registration for the second session is Aug. 9-Oct. 19.

EPCC students with financial aid questions should contact [email protected] or 915-831-2561. If they have questions for Admissions and Registration, contact [email protected].

At UTEP, registration will continue through Wednesday, Sept. 10. There will be additional fees for those who register after classes begin. Students on suspension or probation as well as those with insufficient prerequisites must clear their records by Thursday, Aug. 14. Information: Registration and Records, [email protected] or 915-747-5544.

Students should get their financial aid Monday, Aug. 18. UTEP will award financial aid until the funds run out. Information: Financial Aid and Scholarships, [email protected] or 915-747-5204.

Texas Tech Health El Paso operates under a different schedule.

The Paul L. Foster School of Medicine began July 7 with a three-week immersion experience followed by a white coat ceremony Saturday, Aug. 9. Classes officially start Monday, Aug. 4. The Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine also began July 7. Fall classes at the L. Frederick Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences begin Monday, Aug. 25. The Gayle Greve Hunt School of Nursing starts Tuesday, Sept. 2.

TTHEP students can direct financial aid questions to [email protected] 915-215-4370, and their enrollment questions to the Registrar’s Office at [email protected] or 915-215-4370.

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[1] Url: http://elpasomatters.org/2025/07/10/back-to-school-first-day-classes-2025-el-paso-isd-calendar-ysleta-socorro-episd-yisd-sisd/

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