Thursday is a big day for thousands of students across Surprise.

It marks the first day of school for students in the Dysart Unified School District.

All K-12 students begin a week after the late July start of last year.  The first semester runs through Dec. 18.

The district’s preschool classes begin on Monday, Aug. 10.

Some of the charter schools in the city have already kicked off their school years this week.

American Leadership Academy-West, 17600 W. Olive Ave, Waddell, got things started July 29 when it welcomed back students for the 2026-27 school year.

Paradise Honors High School opened up classrooms on Aug. 3, while the first day of school for middle and high school students at Imagine Prep Surprise, 14850 N. 156th Ave., and Imagine Rosefield, 12050 N. Bullard Ave., was Aug. 4.

Desert Oasis Elementary, the lone Surprise school in the Nadaburg Unified School District, also started Aug. 4.

Arizona Charter Academy, 16025 N. Dysart Road, and Legacy Traditional School — Surprise, 14506 W. Sweetwater Ave., each began classes on Aug. 5.

Like DUSD public schools, students at Calibre Academy, 15688 W. Acoma Drive, get started Wednesday.

Highland Prep Surprise at 15600 W. Hearn Road will get going on Monday, Aug. 10.

Thrivepoint High School, 16578 W. Greenway Road, Suite 204, begins its classes on Wednesday, Aug. 12.