Welcome Back to School - 2026-2027 School Year!

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,

I hope you are enjoying a restful and enjoyable summer filled with time to relax, learn, and make memories with family and friends. Our schools have been busy throughout the summer, as we prepare for another exciting year. Many students participated in summer learning and enrichment programs, while teachers, administrators, and staff have been preparing classrooms and ensuring our schools are ready to provide outstanding learning experiences for every student. 

On Monday, August 31, we are excited to welcome students in grades K-12 for another year of learning, discovery, and growth. At Groton Public Schools, our Cradle to Career focus remains steadfast. From Early Childhood through college, career, and workforce readiness, we are committed to preparing every student for their very best future. Every decision we make, every lesson we teach, every relationship we build, and every opportunity we create moves us closer to that goal.

This year marks an especially exciting milestone as we open the new Mary Morrisson Early Childhood Center (MMECC), providing our youngest learners with a nurturing environment designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning, ensuring every child has a strong foundation for future success.

We are also expanding opportunities for our students with the opening of our Manufacturing Machine Shop and Robotics Lab at Fitch High School as part of the expansion of the DREAM Career Pathway (Department of Robotics, Engineering, Architecture, Manufacturing, Machining, and Military Science). This innovative program reflects the strength of our community partnerships with Electric Boat, the U.S. Navy, and our local workforce, creating opportunities that prepare students for high-demand careers while expanding their choices after graduation.

Across every school, we remain committed to strengthening literacy and mathematics instruction, while providing engaging classroom, enrichment, and extracurricular opportunities where students experience meaningful, joyful learning. Together, we’ll also support students social-emotional well-being, foster a strong sense of belonging, and reconnect every student with the excitement and purpose of school. 

To help you prepare for the new year, important information is available on this page of our district website at www.grotonschools.org/backtoschool. There you’ll find school start and end times, the 2026–2027 school calendar, and other essential back-to-school details we'll be sharing throughout the month.

We look forward to partnering with you for another outstanding school year and welcoming our students starting on Monday, August 31.

With sincere grace and gratitude,

Susan L. Austin

Superintendent

Groton Public Schools

First Days of School:

• Monday, August 31, 2026 – First day for grades K–12 - All Elementary, Groton Middle School, and Fitch High School students
• Wednesday, September 2, 2026  – First day for full-day PreK at MMECC and AM/PM Preschool at Thames River

School Start and End Times:

• Mary Morrisson Early Childhood Center: 9:00 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.
• All Elementary: 9:00 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.
• Groton Middle School: 7:50 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
• Fitch High School: 7:40 a.m. - 2:20 p.m.
• AM Preschool: 9:00 a.m. - 11:48 a.m.  / PM Preschool: 12:48 p.m. - 3:35 pm.