BackToSchool

The word COMPASS is displayed with a compass rose graphic and text that reads 'A Family Guidebook For the Journey Ahead'.

Your Guidebook for Back To School and Beyond

Welcome to the 2026-2027 Compass – a comprehensive family guide helping you navigate to the important points on your student’s journey ahead. In this guide you’ll find:

Important dates in our district
Information on summer offerings to help students Stay Sharp This Summer
Tips on how to successfully navigate the start of the 2026-2027 school year

If you have questions not answered by the Compass, feel free to drop us a line at communications@chehalisschools.org and we’ll help.

Three smiling girls pose together outdoors on a sunny day.

2026-2027 Startup Checklist

Step #1 – Enrollment, Registration & Returning Student Forms

I Live Inside the District Boundaries

Returning Students – You do not need to re-register your returning student, even if they are moving to a new building in our district. Students will automatically be moved to their next grades in mid July during the annual Skyward update. After that happens (we will send out notice to all families) please complete the Yearly Student Renewal forms in the parent/guardian login on Skyward.
New Students – Please complete your online enrollment forms as soon as you know you will be attending Chehalis Schools. CLICK HERE to register grades K-12 for the 2026-2027 school year.

I Live Outside the District Boundaries

Returning Students – A Choice Transfer request must be submitted and approved by the Chehalis School District every year you wish to continue to attend Chehalis Schools. CLICK HERE to file your Choice paperwork for the 2026-2027 school year. Once you have completed Choice paperwork, please complete the Yearly Student Renewal forms in mid-July.
New Students – Students who reside outside the Chehalis School District and want to attend Chehalis Schools need to make a Choice Transfer request. We recommend filing early to avoid schedule disruptions for your student. CLICK HERE for more information and how to get started.

I’m Not Sure If I Live Inside Or Outside the District Boundaries

Call the district office at (360) 807-7200 and we can check your address for you.

Beginning June 22 The Chehalis School District office will be open to the public summer hours, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mon.-Thurs. and closed Fridays. The district office will return to regular business hours on Monday, Aug. 10.

If call the District Office and you do not reach someone, leave a detailed message with your name and address and we will return your call.

Step #2 – Get to Know Your Student’s School

If your student is in grades Kindergarten through 2^nd they attend James Lintott Elementary, found at THIS LINK
If your student is in grades 3-5, they attend Orin Smith Elementary, found at THIS LINK
If your student is in grades 6-8, they attend Chehalis Middle School, found at THIS LINK
If your student is in grades 9-12, they attend W.F. West High School, found at THIS LINK

Step #3 – Details That Matter

If your student will ride the bus, check out the Chehalis-Centralia Transportation Co-op page at THIS LINK
If your student will get lunch or breakfast at school, check out our Food Services page at THIS LINK
For immunization requirements and other health related information, check out our Nurse Health Services page at THIS LINK
If your secondary student wants to be part of an athletics team, get useful information on the W.F. West (grades 9-12) Athletics page at THIS LINK or the Chehalis Middle School (grades 6-8) Athletics page at THIS LINK

A graduate in a maroon cap and gown smiles, holding a diploma.

Mark Your Calendar: Important Dates

Aug. 3 – W.F. West High School (grades 9-12) Counseling Center re-opens after summer
Aug. 3-6 – FREE Summer Meals for Kids 18 and Younger: 8:45-9:15 a.m. breakfast at James Lintott Elementary; 8:45-9:15 a.m. breakfast at Orin Smith Elementary; 11:30-12 lunch at Chehalis Middle School; 12-12:30 p.m. lunch at James Lintott Elementary; 12-12:30 p.m. lunch at Orin Smith Elementary.
Aug. 3-6 – University of Washington Summer STEM Camp for incoming 9-12^th graders at W.F. West High School. $25 per student with scholarships available. Go to THIS LINK to register your student for this experience
Aug. 3-6 – Chehalis Middle School (Grades 6-8) STEM Camp for incoming 6-8^th graders at Chehalis Middle School. FREE. Go to THIS LINK to register your student

Aug. 3-6 & Aug. 10-13- Camp OSE Session #2 hands-on STEAM camp for incoming 3^rd through 5^th graders at Orin Smith Elementary. FREE. Go to THIS LINK to register your student for this experience
Aug. 6 – W.F. West High School (grades 9-12) Main Office re-opens after summer
Aug. 8 – Cornerstone Partnership presents Kindercarnival Noon-2 p.m. at James Lintott Elementary for all incoming and outgoing Kindergarteners and their families
Aug. 10-13 – FREE Summer Meals for Kids 18 and Younger: 8:45-9:15 a.m. breakfast at James Lintott Elementary; 8:45-9:15 a.m. breakfast at Orin Smith Elementary; 12-12:30 p.m. lunch at James Lintott Elementary; 12-12:30 p.m. lunch at Orin Smith Elementary
Aug. 14 – James Lintott Elementary (grades K-2) Main Office re-opens after summer
Aug. 18 – Chehalis Middle School (Grades 6-8) Main Office re-opens after summer

Aug. 18 – W.F. West High School (grades 9-12) Freshman Link Day for all incoming 9^th graders
Aug. 19 – W.F. West High School (grades 9-12) Readiness & Picture Day for all 10th-12^th Graders: 8-10 a.m. for 12^th graders; 10-12 for 11^th graders; and 1-3 p.m. for 10^th graders
Aug. 24 – 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Orin Smith Elementary (grades 3-5) Office re-opens after summer break.
Aug. 26 – Orin Smith Elementary (grades 3-5) Student Orientation 4:30-6 p.m.
Sept. 1 – First day of the 2026-2027 school year for grades 3-12
Sept. 2 – First day of the 2026-2027 school year for grades 1-2
Sept. 4-7 – All Chehalis Facilities and Schools Closed for Labor Day Weekend
Sept. 8 – First day of the 2026-2027 school year for Kindergarten

More important dates are available on the 2026-2027 District Calendar (English) at THIS LINK or the District Calendar (Spanish) at THIS LINK

Points of Interest For the Journey Ahead

Every step of a student’s journey in the Chehalis School District is an important one. But in every journey, there are a few landmarks that are more notable than others. Follow the links below to access helpful information to help you and your student navigate some of the points in their journey where they may need a few extra compass points to keep you on the correct path.

Kindergarten – The Journey Begins