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Getting Ready for the 2026–2027 School Year

Parents and guardians must:

• Sign up each student
• Update phone numbers and emergency contacts

You need to do this to:

• See your child’s class schedule before school starts
• Sign up for bus rides

Bus Sign-Up

• Families must indicate if they will require bus transportation services each school year. This is included as a question within the online annual registration update. Bus route information from prior years is not carried over, so you must complete this annually.

• • The deadline to guarantee your student has a bus routed on the first day of school is August 7. This means you must have a completed annual update submitted with any necessary documents before the deadline. Please do not wait to complete the annual update in case additional documentation is needed.
  • Special requests and appeals for transportation outside of the eligible rider distance and special transportation requests will not be considered until after September 4, when the routing timeline is complete.
  • As a reminder, Columbia Public Schools only offers transportation services to those students who meet the following qualifications based on home of residence:
    • • • High School (grades 9-12): reside 2 miles or more from school
        • Middle School: (grades 6-8) reside 1 mile or more from school
        • Elementary (grades K-5): reside 1 mile or more from school

Use the Families Portal

In the CPS Families Portal, you can:

• Complete all registration steps
• View class schedules when they are released
• Open setup guides for help

Schedule Dates

• Grades 6–12: August 17 at 3:00 p.m.
• Elementary teachers: August 21 at 4:00 p.m.

If your child’s school needs more information, they will contact you.

Need Help?

• Forgot your username? Look it up online.
• Forgot your password? Reset it if you’ve logged in before and set your security questions.
• Still need help? Call the CPS Helpdesk

Using a Computer

• When you log in for the first time, create your security questions
• If you see a prompt, install the Classlink Extension to help the system work
• Follow the guide: Families Portal on a Computer – Setup (PDF)

Using a Phone or Tablet

• Download the Classlink LaunchPad app: Google Play | Apple App Store
• Follow the guide: Families Portal on a Mobile Device – Setup (PDF)