When do Tippecanoe County schools begin the 2024-25 calendar year?

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Although summer feels as if it only just arrived, a new school year in Tippecanoe County is less than a month away.

Although older students will be more adept to resuming their regular school routines, kindergarten-aged students will need to be acclimated to not just a new daily routine, but new emotional and social situations, too.

Kelly Stockton, a kindergarten teacher at Burnett Creek Elementary, said she sees children more academically prepared than ever before but has seen a decline in students' emotional skills.

"More kids are going to preschool, which gives them an academic foundation, but emotionally and independently we are seeing a decline," Stockton said. "Parents are doing a lot more for their kids than they maybe used to."

There is still time before the start of the school year to build on those classroom skills. Stockton said she advises practicing the following things at home with your soon-to-be kindergartener:

• Work on building independence.
• Following verbal directions and listening the first time instructions are given.
• Eating lunch in a reasonable amount of time.
• Recognizing their name.
• Writing their name.
• Practicing using scissors.

Some schools in Tippecanoe County have a bit more time to prepare for the back-to-school rush. Here is when your child kicks off a new school year:

Lafayette School Corp.

Teachers will return to their classrooms on Aug. 6. All LSC students will begin classes on Aug. 7.

Tippecanoe School Corp.

Teachers and staff members will return to classrooms on Aug. 9 and 12. All TSC students will begin classes on Aug. 13.

West Lafayette Community School Corp.

Teachers and staff will return to classrooms on Aug. 6. All WLCSC students will begin classes on Aug. 7.

Lafayette Catholic School System

All LCSS students will begin the school year on Aug. 13.

Faith Christian School

Classes for grades 9-12 and middle school orientation will be on Aug. 8. The remainder of FCS students will begin the school year on Aug. 9.

Lafayette Christian School

Kindergarten through eighth grade will begin the school year on Aug. 14. Pre-K students will begin classes on Aug. 26.

Paramount School of Excellence

Students will begin the school year on Aug. 1 with a pre-scheduled early release. Aug. 2 will also be an early release date.

Jillian Ellison is a reporter for the Journal and Courier. She can be reached via email at jellison@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @ellison_writes.