Independent and Public School Reopening Plans

This post is part of a series of articles, blog posts, and short briefs produced by EXPLO Elevate focused on supporting schools’ virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

by Sudipti Kumar | Director of Research

Independent and Public School Reopening Plans

Updated 9/4/2020

Elevate is following the reopening plans of independent and public schools across the nation closely. Below we share some highlights, as well the actual plans from independent schools, selected school districts, and a sample of state guidelines. We will update the highlights and the list below weekly with new information as it becomes available. We welcome you to share your reopening plans with us at skumar@explo.org.

Helpful Resource

Harvard University’s Healthy Building for Health: Risk Reduction Strategies for Reopening Schools

Of Note (Independent)

Many schools are poised to reopen right after Labor Day, whether that be in-person or remote.

At Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall (MA), school is reopening for in-person on 9/10. Dormitories for boarding students will not be reopening; instead the school is piloting a new “host family program” for non local students.
At Noble and Grenough School (MA), which is starting school on 9/8, three grade levels will be on campus at one time for academic and afternoon programs, each for two days per week
Chapin School Princeton (NJ) provides a thorough example of “a day in the life of a student” in their reopening materials.

Of Note (Public)

Baltimore County Public Schools (MD) has announced full remote instruction until January 2021.
NYC Public Schools have delayed reopening until 9/21 to ready for in-person classes.

Independent Schools

Alexander Dawson School

Las Vegas, NV
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-8
Total enrollment: ~520
Plan

Annie Wright Schools

Tacoma, WA
School type: Boarding & Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~620
Plan

Archmere Academy

Claymont, DE
School type: Day
Grades served: 9-12
Total enrollment: ~500
Plan

Atlanta Jewish Academy

Atlanta, GA
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~430
Plan

Beauvoir: The National Cathedral Elementary School

Washington, DC
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-3
Total enrollment: ~375
Plan

Benedictine Schools of Richmond (St. Gertrude HS)

Richmond, VA
School type: Day
Grades served: 9-12
Total enrollment: ~180
Plan

The Bishop’s School

La Jolla, CA
School type: Day
Grades served: 6-12
Total enrollment: ~800
Plan

Bishop Kenny High School

Jacksonville, FL
School type: Day
Grades served: 9-12
Total enrollment: ~1200
Plan

Boca Raton Christian School

Boca Raton, FL
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~580
Plan

Boston Trinity Academy

Boston, MA
School type: Day
Grades served: 6-12
Total enrollment: ~240
Plan

The Brearley School

New York, NY
School type: Day
Grades served: K-12
Total enrollment: ~706
Plan

Brookwood School

Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~480
Plan

Browne Academy

Alexandria, VA
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-8
Total enrollment: ~200
Plan

Browning School

New York City, NY
School type: Day
Grades served: K-12
Total enrollment: ~400
Plan

The Bush School

Seattle, WA
School type: Day
Grades served: K-12
Total enrollment: ~660
Plan

Calhoun School

New York, NY
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~700
Plan

Catlin-Gabel School

Portland, OR
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~770
Plan

Carolina Friends School

Durham, NC
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~500
Plan

Cascades Academy

Bend, OR
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~210
Plan

Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall

Waltham, MA
School type: Boarding & Day
Grades served: 9-12, PG
Total enrollment: ~180
Plan

Chapin School Princeton

Princeton, NJ
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-8
Total enrollment: ~265
Plan

Charles Wright Academy

Tacoma, WA
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~600
Plan

Christian Academy of Knoxville

Knoxville, TN
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~950
Plan

Choate Rosemary Hall

Wallingford, CT
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: 9-12, Postgraduate
Total enrollment: ~850
Plan

Collegiate School (NY)

New York, NY
School type: Day
Grades served: K-12
Total enrollment: ~660
Plan

Collegiate School (VA)

Richmond, VA
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~1700
Plan

Colorado Rocky Mountain School

Carbondale, CO
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: 9-12
Total enrollment: ~175
Plan

Concord Academy

Concord, MA
School Type: Day/Boarding
Grades served: 9-12
Total enrollment: 378
Plan

Cushing Academy

Ashburnham, MA
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: 9-12, Postgraduate
Total enrollment: ~390
Plan

Dana Hall

Wellesley, MA
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: PK-8
Total enrollment: ~470
Plan

Deerfield Academy

Deerfield, MA
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: 9-12
Total enrollment: ~655
Plan

Derby Academy

Hingham, MA
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-8
Total enrollment: ~330
Plan

Detroit Country Day School

Beverly Hills, MI and Bloomfield Hills, MI
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~1500
Plan

Flintridge Preparatory School

La Canada, CA
School type: Day
Grades served: 7-12
Total enrollment: ~500
Plan

Georgetown Prep

North Bethesda, MD
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: 9-12
Total enrollment: ~500
Plan

Gilman School

Baltimore, MD
School type: Day
Grades served: K-12
Total enrollment: ~175
Plan

Gooden School

Sierra Madre, CA
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~1000
Plan

Gordon School

Providence, RI
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-8
Total enrollment: ~330
Plan

Grace Christian School

Raleigh, NC
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~780
Plan

Graded – The American School of Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo, Brazil
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~1300
Plan

Grandview Preparatory School

Boca Raton, FL
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~280
Plan

Groton School

Groton, CT
School type: Boarding & Day
Grades served: 8-12
Total enrollment: ~380
Plan

Heritage Christian School

Indianapolis, IN
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~1300
Plan

Hewitt School

New York, NY
School type: Day
Grades served: K-12
Total enrollment: ~525
Plan

Horace Mann

New York, NY
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~1786
Plan

Jackson Prep

Jackson, MS
School type: Day
Grades served: 6-12
Total enrollment: ~760
Plan

Kent School

Kent, CT
School type: Boarding & Day
Grades served: 9-12, PG
Total enrollment: ~585
Plan

The Lab School

Washington, DC
School type: Day
Grades served: 1-12
Total enrollment: ~350
Plan

Lancaster Country Day School

Lancaster, PA
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~600
Plan

Landon School

Bethesda, MD
School type: Day
Grades served: 3-12
Total enrollment: ~670
Plan

Lawrenceville School

Lawrenceville, NJ
School type: Boarding & Day
Grades served: 9-12, PG
Total enrollment: ~820
Plan

Lick-Wilmerding High School

San Francisco, CA
School type: Day
Grades served: 9-12
Total enrollment: ~540
Plan

Loomis-Chaffee

Windsor, CT
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: 9-12
Total enrollment: ~735
Plan

Madeira School

McLean, VA
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: 9-12
Total enrollment: ~320
Plan

Maine Central Institute

Pittsfield, ME
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: 9-12, PG
Total enrollment: ~450
Plan

Marin Academy

San Rafael, CA
School type: Day
Grades served: 9-12
Total enrollment: ~440
Plan

The Meadowbrook School of Weston

Weston, MA
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-8
Total enrollment: ~320
Plan

Milton Academy

Milton, MA
School type: Day/Boarding
Grades served: K-12
Total enrollment: ~967
Plan

Mirman School

Los Angeles, CA
School type: Day
Grades served: K-8
Total enrollment: ~320
Plan

Mount Paran Christian School

Atlanta, GA
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~1200
Plan

Montgomery School

Chester Springs, PA
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-8
Total enrollment: ~230
Plan

Mount Vernon School

Atlanta, GA
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~890
Plan

Noble and Grenough School

Dedham, MA
School type: Day & Boarding
Grades served: 7-12
Total enrollment: ~628
Plan

North Broward Preparatory School

Coconut Creek, FL
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~1550
Plan

Northfield Mount Hermon

Gill, MA
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: 9-12
Total enrollment: ~655
Plan

North Hills Christian School

Salisbury, NC
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~300
Plan

Northwood School

Lake Placid, NY
School type: Boarding
Grades served: 9-12, Postgraduate
Total enrollment: ~195
Plan

Oakbrook Prep

Spartanburg, SC
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~450
Plan

Oakwood School

Annandale, VA
School type: Day
Grades served: 1-8
Total enrollment: ~100
Plan

The O’Neal School

Southern Pines, NC
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~1450
Plan

The Park School

Brookline, MA
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-8
Total enrollment: ~540
Plan

The Park School of Buffalo

Buffalo, NY
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~280
Plan

The Peddie School

Hightstown, NJ
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: 9-12, Postgraduate
Total enrollment: ~550
Plan

Phillips Academy Andover

Andover, MA
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: 9-12
Total enrollment: ~1100
Plan

Phillips Exeter Academy

Exeter, NH
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: 9-12
Total enrollment: ~1100
Plan

Phoenix Country Day

Paradise, AZ
School Type: Day
Grades served: Pre-K-12
Total enrollment: 700
Plan

Pinecrest School

Fort Lauderdale & Boca Raton, FL
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~2700
Plan

Poly Prep Country Day School

Brooklyn, NY
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~1020
Plan

Pomfret

Pomfret, CT
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: 9-12
Total enrollment: ~350
Plan

Portsmouth Abbey School

Portsmouth, RI
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: 9-12
Total enrollment: ~360
Plan

Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart

Princeton, NJ
School type: Day
Grades served: K-8
Total enrollment: ~220
Plan

Princeton Day School

Princeton, NJ
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~950
Plan

Punahou

Honolulu, HI
School type: Day
Grades served: K-12
Total enrollment: ~3750
Plan

Randolph-Macon Academy

Fort Royal, VA
School type: Boarding & Day
Grades served: 6-12, PG
Total enrollment: ~250
Plan

Ransom Everglades

Miami, FL
School type: Day
Grades served: 6-12
Total enrollment: ~1100
Plan

Ravenscroft School

Raleigh, NC
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~1200
Plan

The Regis School of the Sacred Heart

Houston, TX
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-8
Total enrollment: ~290
Plan

Riverstone International School

Boise, ID
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~350
Plan

Salisbury Academy

Salisbury, NC
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-8
Total enrollment: ~210
Plan

Sandy Spring Friends School

Sandy Spring, MD
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~600
Plan

Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences

Seattle, WA
School type: Day
Grades served: 6-12
Total enrollment: 1000+
Plan

Shady Side Academy

Pittsburgh, PA
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~1000
Plan

Shipley School

Bryn Mawr, PA
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~790
Plan

Sidwell Friends School

Washington, DC
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~1140
Plan

The Spence School

New York, NY
School type: Day
Grades served: K-12
Total enrollment: ~736
Plan

St. Andrew’s Episcopal School

Potomac, MD
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~550
Plan

St. Charles Preparatory School

Columbus, OH
School type: Day
Grades served: 9-12
Total enrollment: ~620
Plan

St. Christopher’s School

Richmond, VA
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~950
Plan

St. George’s Independent School

Memphis, Germantown, Collierville TN
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~1100
Plan

St. Mark’s Episcopal School

Palm Beach, FL
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-8
Total enrollment: ~460
Plan

St. Mark’s School of Texas

Dallas, TX
School type: Day
Grades served: 1-12
Total enrollment: ~900
Plan

St. Paul’s School

Concord, NH
School type: Boarding
Grades served: 9-12
Total enrollment: ~540
Plan

Stoneleigh-Burnham School

Greenfield, MA
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: 7-12, Post Graduate
Total enrollment: ~150
Plan

Stoneridge School of the Sacred Heart

Bethesda, MD
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~750
Plan

The Stony Brook School

Stony Brook, NY
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: 7-12
Total enrollment: ~400
Plan

Tabor Academy

Marion, MA
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: 9-12
Total enrollment: ~515
Plan

Thayer Academy

Braintree, MA
School type: Day
Grades served: 5-12
Total enrollment: ~700
Plan

Tower Hill School

Wilmington, DE
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~800
Plan

Trinity-Pawling School

Pawling, NY
School type: Boarding & Day
Grades served: 7-12, PG
Total enrollment: ~300

University Liggett

Grosse Point Woods, MI
School type: Day
Grades served: Pre-K-12
Total enrollment: 600
Plan

University School of Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
School type: Day
Grades served: Pre-K-12
Total enrollment: 1133
Plan

Vail Mountain School

Vail, CO
School type: Day
Grades served: K-12
Total enrollment: ~315
Plan

Valley Christian Schools

Chandler and Tempe, AZ
School type: Day
Grades served: K-12
Total enrollment: ~700
Plan

Walnut Hill School for the Arts

Natick, MA
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: 9-12
Total enrollment: ~300
Plan

The Webb Schools

Claremont, CA
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: 9-12
Total enrollment: ~400
Plan

Wellington School

Columbus, OH
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~700
Plan

Westminster School

Atlanta, GA
School type: Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~1900
Plan

The Wheeler School

Providence, RI
School type: Day
Grades served: N-12
Total enrollment: ~800
Plan

Whittle School and Studios DC Campus

Washington, DC
School type: Boarding and Day
Grades served: PK-12
Total enrollment: ~200
Plan

A Selected Set of School District Plans

Arlington Public Schools

Arlington, VA

Baltimore County Public Schools

Baltimore, MD

Boston Public Schools

Boston, MA

Buckeye Union School District

El Dorado Hills, CA

Cato-Meridian Central School District

Cato, NY

Chicago Public Schools

Chicago, IL

Duval County Schools

Jacksonville, FL

Elizabeth Public Schools

Elizabeth, NJ

Greater Clark County Schools

Clark County, IN

Greenville County Schools

Greenville, SC

Hillsborough County Public Schools

Tampa, FL

Houston Independent School District

Houston, TX

Jackson Public Schools

Jackson, MS

Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Miami, FL

Montgomery County Public Schools

Montgomery County, MD

NOLA Public Schools

New Orleans, Louisiana (Orleans Parish)

NYCDOE

New York, NY

Pasadena Unified School District

Pasadena, CA

Portland Public Schools

Portland, OR

Rochester City School District

Rochester, NY

San Diego Unified

San Diego, CA

San Francisco Unified

San Francisco, CA

Salt Lake City School District

Salt Lake City, Utah

Seattle Public Schools

Seattle, WA

A Selected Set of Public School State Guidelines

____________________________________________________________________

Of Note (Week of 8/27)

Of Note (Independent)

It is back to school season! Independent schools across the country have either reopened or are getting ready to. Currently, of the ~100 independent school plans reviewed on our site, many are planning for at least some students attending in-person. However as the school year comes closer to reopening, some who were previously planning a hybrid start are switching to remote-only for at least the first few weeks of school.

Students at The Brearley School (NY) are set to return in-person on September 10th. All student will be coming back at the same time. Horace Mann is also planning for an-person start. According to their plan “student desks and other high-use classroom surfaces will include clear desk shields and be covered with GuardXPro, the world’s strongest, shatterproof and only 5-year antibacterial film.” Other schools in New York, including Collegiate and Hewitt, are planning to start the school year either fully or mostly remote.
Archmere Academy (DE) is planning for an in-person start on 8/31. Class sizes are limited to 10 students maximum, and students will not have access to lockers so they must bring materials back and forth each day to the school.
The Shipley School (PA) is planning for in-person reopening for all students on September 8th. Students can move fluidly between in-person and remote learning any day of the week, unlike other schools which are requiring students make a choice and stick with that option.

Of Note (Public)

School district plans fluctuate between starting the school year remotely and starting in-person. More are trending remote.

Miami-Dade Schools are opening fully remote on 8/31. This week, the district is offering a “week of welcome” webinars for parents and students. The Superintendent hopes to share an-person reopening date by mid-September and is aiming for sometime in October.
Students in Boston (MA) will start the school year fully remote on 9/21. The plan is to move to a hybrid option later on, starting with the highest-need students on October 1st. September 1-18th will be used to support students and families in their technology needs.
Health officials in San Diego County (CA) have announced that all schools can open for in-person instruction next week if they choose to.

Of Note (Week of 8/13)

Of Note (Independent)

Many independent schools in the Southern U.S. began in-person instruction this week including Jackson Prep (MS) and The Mount Vernon School (GA). At Jackson Prep, similar to other schools in the area, families are required to complete a daily log using an app including conducting temperature checks before students arrive on campus.
At the Mount Vernon School (GA), the numerous health and safety precautions to reopen in-person included installing 21 touchless water fountains across the campus.
The Calhoun School (NY), had initially planned a hybrid in-person reopening but has delayed and is opting for a 100% remote opening until at least early October.

Of Note (Public)

Governor Cuomo (NY) announced that schools across New York can reopen based on their region’s infection rate. Mayor De Blasio announced that city-wide survey results show a majority of parents preferring an in-person reopening.
Salt Lake City (UT), like many other school districts, will be opening with fully remote instruction on September 8th. The district was originally slated to reopen August 25th, but has postponed for two weeks to have one-on-one meetings with parents and students and provide trainings on new technology systems.
Elizabeth Public Schools (NJ) is one of a few school districts who defied NJ state mandates that all school districts reopen with at least some in-person classes. Elizabeth noted this was an “impossibility” because there are not enough teachers willing to return to school. The governor has since changed guidelines, naming that schools can start all-remote if they meet certain criteria.

“Of Note” (Week of 8/6)

Of Note (Independent)

Montgomery County Public Schools (MD) announced on Friday July 31 that private schools in the area cannot offer in-person instruction before October 1st. On Monday August 3rd, Governor Hogan curtailed the power of local health officers to enact such orders. On Wednesday August 5, the health official issued a new order prohibiting the reopening of private schools.
North Hills Christian School and Salisbury Academy (NC) are preparing for their in-person reopening slated for the week of August 10th. Salisbury Academy provides a helpful carpool protocol video on their site as well.
Atlanta Jewish Academy (GA) is following a staggered reopening process. Students in the youngest grades will return for face-to-face instruction in mid-August. High school students will start the year remote and are anticipated to return for in-person in early October.
The Bush School (WA) is planning for a remote start to the school year, and will reassess their plans after the month of September.

Of Note (Public)

Chicago Public Schools will begin the school year remotely. Based on a survey sent out to families, only one in five African American and Latinx families felt comfortable sending their children back in-person.
The Cato-Meridian School District (NY) is planning for in-person reopening for all students, with PK-6 students attending daily and 7-12 students switching off in-person days. Students in grades 7-12 are required to wear masks in hallways and other gathering

“Of Note” (Week of 7/31)

Independent

Montgomery County Public Schools (MD) announced on Friday July 31 that private schools in the area cannot offer in-person instruction before October 1st. On Monday August 3rd, Governor Hogan curtailed the power of local health officers to enact such orders.
Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart (NJ) has revised its tuition model for the upcoming school year to focus on accessibility and affordability.
The Grace Christian School (NC) is planning to stagger students returning during the first three days of school, with 1/3 of the population returning each day, and will operate on a half day schedule during this time.
The Browning School (NY) will have student in grades K-5 return full-time five days a week and rotate their middle and upper school students on a weekly basis. When middle school students are in-person, upper school students will learn online and vice-versa.

Public

Students in Greater Clark County (IN) and Greenfield-Central Schools IN) returned to school in-person on Wednesday July 29, making them some of the first school districts across the country to return with in-person classes. Distance learning options are available for students who need them, and masks are required for students grade three and up (and being provided to those who don’t have them).
Rochester City School District (NY) offers hybrid learning for grades PK-4 and those in specialized classes. Students will be placed in groups A & B. Those in Group A attend in-person school Mon-Tues and are remote the rest of the week. Those in Group B attend in-person Thurs-Fri. Students in grades 5-12 will be fully online.

“Of Note” (Week of July 24)

Independent

Cushing Academy (Boarding and Day, MA) is planning for two stretches of in-person learning with an extended “Winterim” session where students will learn remotely off-campus before and after their winter break – from late November to March.
The Landon School (MD) is sharing new dress code requirements for all students for the current school year only (as an example, no open-toed shoes are allowed).
Georgetown Prep (Boarding and Day, MD) has developed a partnership with a local medical group to test all students for COVID-19 prior to entering dormitories and to conduct follow up screen after they self-quarantine in the dormitories.

(Public)

Houston ISD (TX) will be starting virtually September 8th for all students but is currently planning in-person to begin Oct 19th for those who opt in to that model.
Boston Public Schools (MA) is planning a hopscotch model for in-person attendance (if and when they start in-person) where students are placed in Group A or B and attending on alternate days.
Duval County Schools (FL) is planning for school to begin one week later than planned on August 20th. In-person learning 5 days a week will be an option for elementary students who choose it as soon as the school year begins. Older students will start remotely and can join in-person learning in mid September.

“Of Note” (Week of July 19)

Independent

While most schools are requiring students to wear PPE at all times when on-campus, Riverstone International (Boise ID), will make a final decision on mask requirements later in the summer.
Ransom Everglades (FL) has installed wide-screen Viewsonic interactive displays, cameras and microphones in every classroom to enable video and audio engagement. These tools will allow students to join classes remotely
Lick-Wilmerding High School will have students eat lunch outside, daily.

Public

Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland is starting the year online for all students and will be re-assessing their plan in phases once the school year begins (every 2-4 weeks).
The Buckeye Union School District in Northern California is providing parents with one of two options: either 100% home-school or 100% in-person, and is planning to reopen with no physical distancing requirements in place.
Portland Public Schools (OR) is proposing that the first two weeks of school serve as an orientation for students, “dedicated to a number of social-emotional-academic components foundational to students’ needs.