SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – Schools around the Bay Area are gearing up to start another school year amid the coronavirus pandemic.
KRON4 has reached out to school districts across the Bay Area to see what their plans are for the upcoming school year. You can see the list below or check out the interactive map to see what each school district’s back-to-school plans are for the fall.
Acalanes Union High School District
First day of school: Aug. 10
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Independent Study program is available to all students as an optional, alternative education program.
Alameda Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 16
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Parent(s)/guardian can enroll students in their independent study program.
Alum Rock Union School District
First day of school: Aug. 17
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families can enroll students in independent study program. Virtual Town Hall for Independent Study Aug. 5
Albany Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 17
Instruction plan: AUSD Will provide an independent study option for those students who are medically fragile and need to remain in remote learning.
Antioch Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 5
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll student(s) in for independent study program.
Bayshore Elementary School District
First day of school: Aug. 11
Instruction plan: TBD
Bennett Valley Union School District
First day of school: Aug. 12
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Independent study program/Virtual learning: TBD
Bellevue Union School District
First day of school: Aug. 12
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Parents may choose for their students to continue in Distance Learning, or they may choose the Hybrid option for their students to return to school campus part-time as part of the independent study program.
Belmont-Redwood Shores School District
First day of school: Aug. 25
Instruction plan: Full in-person learning five days a week on a normal schedule. Schools will offer Independent Study for pupils whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction.
Benicia Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 17
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. BUSD will offer an independent study option for students whose health would be put at risk by attending in-person instruction
Berkeley Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 16
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Will provide independent study program for students K-12 not returning to campus.
Berryessa Union Elementary School District
First day of school: Aug. 16
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes and will provide a virtual independent study learning opportunity for those students with an identified need to continue with virtual learning
Brentwood Union Elementary School District
First day of school: July 28
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in independent study program and home school program.
Brisbane School District:
First day of school: Aug. 19
Instruction plan: Plans to return to full days, 5 days a week for the 21-22 school year. Families have the option to enroll students in the independent study program for a student whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction.
Burlingame School District
First day of school: Aug. 25
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Independent study program/Virtual learning: TBD
Byron Union School District
First day of school: June 28
Instruction plan: Families can still choose an alternative independent study program for students who wish to continue online learning.
Cabrillo Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 12
Instruction plan: Full-day instruction with independent study program offered to students as necessary and required by new legislation. Further information for the program will be provided in the next few weeks.
Cambrian Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 19
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. In partnership with Stride, families will have the option to enroll students in an alternative independent study virtual school program designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s).
Campbell Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 19
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. In partnership with Stride, families will have the option to enroll students in an alternative independent study virtual school program designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s).
Campbell Union High School District
First day of school: Aug. 11
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in an alternative independent study program designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s).
Castro Valley Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 10
Instruction plan: Full in-person instruction. Recognizing that there may be students in each district whose families deem them unable to attend school physically due to medical/health concerns, AB/SB 130 allows these students to participate in an independent study online program in the district through the Castro Valley Virtual Academy (CVVA).
Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 17
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in a virtual academy as part of their independent study program designed for students who will not return for in-person instruction.
Cupertino Union School District
First day of school: Aug. 16
Instruction plan: In-person schedule that includes five days of live instruction at all schools. Offers families the opportunity to enroll students in an independent study program called Home Study.
Dixon Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 11
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Independent Learning program will be available for students who do not wish to return to the regular program.
Dublin Unified School District
First day of school: Aug 16
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Virtual learning/independent study options are being offered to our K-12 students.
East Side Union High School District
First day of school: Aug. 10
Instruction plan: All district schools and programs will be open for full in-person instruction. Independent study program optional for 9-12 grade students.
Emery Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 19
Instruction plan: 5-day per week in-person instruction. Independent study program offered through partnering agency.
Evergreen Elementary School District
First day of school: Aug. 18
Instruction plan: Full in-person instruction. EESCD will offer a long-term independent study option to students and families to be made available to students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction.
Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 18
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Independent study program will be offered for students who do not wish to return for in-person instruction. Students enrolled in K-8 grade can enroll in their school’s virtual academy program. Families of ninth through twelfth-grade students can request to attend the independent study program by contacting their resident high school beginning on August 2nd.
Franklin-McKinley Union School District
First day of school: Aug. 16
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Independent study program is available for those students with an identified need to continue with virtual learning.
Fremont Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 18
Instruction plan: In-person full time instruction Pre K-12th grade and Adult School; Virtual Learning Academies for students who may require/want full distance learning
Gilroy Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 18 (Aug. 5 for GECA students)
Instruction plan: Full-time, in-person instruction. Virtual learning academy services will be offered for students who are interested in independent learning options.
Hayward Unified School District
First day of school: July 20 (Aug. 20 for traditional preschools)
Instruction plan: Full in-person instruction. Virtual independent program available for K-12 students.
Healdsburg Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 18
Instruction plan: Full in-person instruction. Independent study program/Virtual learning: TBD
Hillsborough City School District
First day of school: Aug. 18
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in an alternative independent study program designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s).
Jefferson Elementary School District
First day of school: Aug. 18
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Students that may not be able to return to in-person learning for medical reasons, parent(s)/guardian(s) may enroll TK-8 students with a home school independent study program option.
Jefferson Union High School District
First day of school: Aug. 9
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Provide enrollment information for independent study program.
John Swett Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 24
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll their student(s) in virtual learning through their independent study program.
La Honda-Pescadero School District
First day of school: Aug. 12
Instruction plan: Full-day in-person learning.
Lafayette School District
First day of school: Aug 9
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Independent Study program for students who choose not to enroll for in-person instruction.
Las Lomitas Elementary School District
First day of school: Aug. 25
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Independent study program/Virtual learning: TBD
Liberty Union High School District
First day of school: Aug. 29
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes following CDPH guidelines. Students needing a remote learning program due to health concerns will be accommodated through Independence High School.
Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 24
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes: For those students who are medically fragile or at risk due to potential COVID19 exposure, the district has adopted a Transfer to Independence High School or Independent Study Remote Learning for further educational options.
Live Oak School District
First day of school: Aug. 11
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Independent study program/Virtual learning: TBD
Los Altos School District
First day of school: Aug. 18
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes 5 days a week. Independent Study is the only allowable option for students as an alternative to in-person learning.
Los Gatos Union Elementary School District
First day of school: Aug. 12
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in an alternative independent study program designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s).
Mark West Union Elementary School District
First day of school:
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in an alternative independent study program designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s).
Martinez Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 11
Instruction plan: Fully open in the fall, five days a week for in-person learning. Families have the option to enroll students for independent study
Menlo Park City School District
First day of school: Aug. 19
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in an alternative independent study program designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s).
Millbrae School District
First day of school: Aug. 19
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in an alternative independent study program designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s).
Mill Valley School District
First day of school: Aug. 19
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Extended distance learning program for students who are quarantining due to a medical condition or a family member that necessitates family quarantining.
Milpitas Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 12
Instruction plan: Full in person classes. Families have option to enroll students for independent study program
Mountain View Los Altos Union High School District
First day of school: Aug. 11
Instruction plan: Full in-person instruction. Families can still choose an alternative independent study program for students who wish to continue online learning.
Moraga Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 10
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families can enroll students in independent study program.
Moreland Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 19
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in an alternative independent study program designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s).
Morgan Hill Unified
First day of school: Aug. 12
Instruction plan: Full day, 5 days per week of in-person instruction. Independent study is an option for students in grades TK through 12 whose parent/guardian determines that their health would be at risk for in-person instruction. Students in independent study will learn away from campus using an online curriculum (not hybrid or zoom).
Mountain View Whisman Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 11
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in an alternative independent study program designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s).
Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District
First day of school: Aug. 19
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in an alternative independent study program designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s).
Mt. Diablo Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 12
Instruction plan: All Mt. Diablo Unified School District schools will return to pre-pandemic schedules, full-time and five days a week. Families can still choose an alternative program through independent study.
Napa Valley Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 18
Instruction plan: Full-time, in-person instruction. Distance learning will not exist; the alternative to in-person learning is to enroll in Napa Valley Independent Sutides. A Zoom webinar session will be held on Aug. 4 at 7 p.m.
Newark Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 12
Instruction plan: Full-in person classes. In addition to in-person learning the district will offer a Virtual School.
New Haven Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 11
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Will offer independent study program through a personalized learning academy.
Oakley Union Elementary School District
First day of school: Aug. 28
Instruction plan: Full in-person instruction classes. Families can choose to enroll students in in-person learning through their independent study program.
Oakland Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 9
Instruction plan: Full-time, in-person instruction. Families can choose Distance Learning/Independent Study for personal or medical reasons.
Oak Grove Elementary School District
First day of school: Aug. 11
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in an alternative independent study program designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s).
Pacifica School District
First day of school: Aug. 18
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in a home school alternative through independent study program designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s). Informational meeting hosted on Aug. 3.
Petaluma Joint Union High School District
First day of school: Aug 17 (traditional schools), Jul. 22 (year-round schools)
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Independent study program/Virtual learning: TBD
Piner Olivet Union Elementary School District
First day of school: Aug. 12
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in an alternative distance learning/independent study program designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s). Two options available Northwest Prep is expanding its Home Study program for the 2021-22 school year and is launching an online academy program that will also serve students K-12.
Palo Alto Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 11 (6-12 grade) Aug. 12 (K-5)
Instruction plan: Full in-person instruction. Families can choose independent study. PAUSD will utilize a third-party provider for the Virtual Independent Study learning program. This means students in Virtual Independent Study will not be taught by a PAUSD teacher.
Piedmont Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 10
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Offer independent study program for at-risk students.
Pittsburg Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 11
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families can choose to enroll students for online learning.
Pleasanton Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 11
Instruction plan: All schools will be full-time and in-person. Offering virtual academy as part of the independent study program.
Portola Valley School District
First day of school: Aug. 26
Instruction plan: TBD
Ravenswood City School District
First day of school: Aug. 25
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in an alternative independent study program designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s).
Redwood City School District
First day of school: Aug. 18
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in an alternative independent study program designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s).
Rincon Valley Union School District
First day of school: Aug. 16
Instruction plan: Full in-person instruction. Families can choose independent study program for families who wish to have their students remain in a distance learning setting
San Bruno Park School District
First day of school: Aug. 26
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Independent study program/Virtual learning: TBD
San Carlos School District
First day of school: Aug. 18
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in an alternative independent study program designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s).
San Francisco Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 16
Instruction plan: Full return for all students to in-person learning, five days per week. Remote learning will be considered an option for any student who cannot return to in-person learning for medical reasons, as well as for exceptional students who may benefit from remote learning for social-emotional or academic reasons, or because of other factors.
San Lorenzo Unified School District
First day of school: August 19
Instruction plan: Full in-person instruction. Independent study program/Virtual learning: TBD
San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 17
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in an alternative independent study program designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s).
San Leandro Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 18
Instruction plan: Fully in-person, but online options are provided through the Independent Study program for students unable to return physically due to medical/health reasons.
San Francisco Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 16
Instruction plan: Full return for all students to in-person learning, five days per week. Remote learning will be considered an option for any student who cannot return to in-person learning for medical reasons, as well as for exceptional students who may benefit from remote learning for social-emotional or academic reasons, or because of other factors.
San Jose Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 18
Instruction plan: In-person learning. Independent Studies offered for students who health would be put at-risk by in-person instruction, as determined by the parent or guardian. San Jose Unified will offer independent studies through Liberty Alternative School for grades K-12.
San Mateo Union High School District
First day of school: Aug. 12
Instruction plan: Full in person instruction. Families can enroll students in independent Study program for students who require an alternative setting to the traditional in-person high school.
San Rafael City School District
First Day: Aug. 19
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families can enroll students in independent studies program.
San Mateo-Foster City School District
First day of school: Aug. 12
Instruction plan: Full in-person instruction for all students with long-term independent study.
San Ramon Valley Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 10 (minimum day)
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families can enroll students in independent studies program.
Santa Rosa School District
First day of school: Aug. 12
Instruction plan: In-person, full-time, five days a week. Families can enroll students in independent studies program.
Santa Cruz City Schools District
First day of school: Aug. 11
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Offer daily live & synchronous Instruction for Independent studies.
Santa Clara Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 12
Instruction plan: Full in-person reopening. SCUSD currently offers a high school independent study program at Wilson High School. Students in kindergarten through 8th grade will enroll in the K-8 Independent Study program, which will be a program within and housed at Wilson. TK students will participate in a PM cohort with a teacher at one of our TK sites.
Sausalito Marin School District
First day of school: Aug. 23
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Independent study program/Virtual learning: TBD
Scotts Valley Unified School District
First Day of school: Aug. 11
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in an alternative independent study program designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s).
Sebastopol Union Elementary School District
First Day of school: Aug. 18
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in an alternative independent study program (to non-charter school students)designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s).
Sequoia Union High School District
First day of school: Aug. 11
Instruction plan: Students will be on campus full-time five days a week, with no asynchronous Wednesdays and full (pre-COVID) instructional minutes. Independent study will be allowed to remain with a distance learning option.
Sonoma County school districts
First day of school: Many districts returning Aug. 11, 12, and 18
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Schools may offer independent study program for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s).
Sonoma Valley Unified District
First day of school: Aug. 16
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Will provide an independent study program available to those families that are interested in enrolling their child for fall 2021.
South San Francisco Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 11
Instruction plan: Full in person classes. Families can enroll students in independent study program.
Soquel Union Elementary School District
First Day of school: Aug. 11
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Independent study program/Virtual learning: TBD
Sunol Glen Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 4
Instruction plan: Full in person classes. Sunol Glen is partnering with Pleasanton USD to offer Independent Studies for students that are needing or wanting this option for the 2021-2022 school year. Families that want this option, can notify their corresponding schools to coordinate with Pleasanton USD for Independent Studies Virtual Academy.
Sunnyvale Unified
First day of school: Aug. 18
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families can enroll students in independent study program.
Tamalpais Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 18
Instruction plan: TBD
Travis Unified School District
First Day of school: Aug. 11
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in an alternative independent study program designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s).
Union Elementary School District
First Day of school: Aug. 11
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in an alternative independent study program designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s).
Vacaville Unified School District
First Day of school: Aug. 12
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Independent study program/Virtual learning: TBD
Vallejo City Unified School District
First Day of school: Aug. 16
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in an alternative independent study program designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s).
West Contra Costa Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 16
Instruction plan: 100% return to in-person learning plan. Will offer three independent study options, including Vista and Vista’s Virtual Academy.
West Sonoma County Union High School District
First Day of school: Aug. 12
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Families will have the option to enroll students in an alternative independent study program designed for students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction as determined by parent(s)/guardian(s).
Woodside School District
First day of school: Aug. 19 (minimum day)
Instruction plan: TBD
Windsor Unified School District
First day of school: Aug. 12
Instruction plan: Full in-person classes. Will be offering a full-time independent study option for students in Transitional Kindergarten through Grade 12.
This list will continue to be updated.